Dances With Wolves Part Two

       The change from Lieutenant Dunbar to Dances With Wolves is something very special and something to draw your attention and make you feel for Dances With Wolves. The movie starts out with the scene of Lieutenant Dunbar and the Chris pose which means to be sacrificed or make a sacrifice. Right off the bat you can tell Lieutenant Dunbar is unhappy and needing a change. This change ended up become a member of the Sioux nation. Along the journey and the transformation Dunbar realizes and learns how beautiful the Sioux and there culture was. The U.S Army was always painting an image in Dunbar's head that all Indians were enemies and worthless in a sense. Once Dunbar got out on the plains and the deserted base he was able to form a relationship with the Sioux. This relationship grew each and every day through trade and simple acts of kindness which drew the Sioux Nation's attention. They realized that Dunbar was no ordinary soldier. This led to a strong relationship where Dunbar gained the Sioux's trust and vice versa. One really important scene is when Dunbar dances around the fire as if the Sioux Nation would during a ceremony. What once used to seem savage and bizarre to Dunbar was now natural and part of him. This is when he really fulfilled his transformation. The Sioux became a part of Dunbar and when the U.S came to abandoned base Dunbar chose the Sioux over the Army because he saw and realized what the Army was doing was wrong and wanted to live out the Sioux lifestyle. The end of the movie is really important to because the scene with Wind In His Hair telling Dances With Wolves he will always be his brother shows the bond and affect Dunbar had on the Sioux Nation. He was now a Sioux with a Sioux wife and no longer a U.S soldier.

Dances With Wolves and his wife Stands With A Fist. Dances With Wolves dressing as a Sioux

Iconic picture of Dances With Wolves and Two Socks 

      

       Another really important part of the film is the deeper meanings intertwined with it and the outcomes it brought as well. Some tribes were upset with this film specifically the Pawnee who were portrayed as the bad guys for Hollywood's needs. One of the biggest parts of the movie is the use of pathos. A major important scene is when Two Socks is shot by the U.S Soldiers for no reason at all. It shows the disregard for life and the useless and senseless pain and killing due to a lack of awareness and ignorance. The U.S Soldiers were brutal at times especially with the Indians and thats something that will haunt our nation Military for ever. As stated earlier another example of pathos is when Dunbar dances around the fire as if a Sioux tribe would which shows he's changed comlpetely. No longer sees the Sioux ways as savage but beautiful. All together though the film was able to show a glimpse of the beauty of Indian culture and allowed people to see that the Indians were only violent in order to protect there land or there tribe. The communication block made the connection between the indians and the U.S Army impossible in a sense and that led to increased fighting. The film brought back Indian culture and gave them some credit in history and doesn't allow ignorant people to bash Indian lifestyles anymore. 

Pathos was a big part of this film

The growing relationship between Dunbar and Two Socks

Dances With Wolves Week One

     Dances With Wolves the movie does a really good job of giving people an idea of native life but anybody who knows the ways of Native American life has some problems with the film. One thing the film does well is showing the relationship between the Sioux and The U.S Army as well as the Pawnee. The only issue is that the film portrays the Pawnee as horrible savage people which isn't true but it was necessary in order for the film to have a "bad guy". Something really interesting and probably one of the biggest parts of the movie as well as during this time was the communication block between the Indians and the "white people". With no communication nothing could be worked out or settled. Also made trade difficult and without knowing what each side is saying it often led to a stronger misunderstanding and fear for the other side which led to more bloodshed. The movie shows this fear and misunderstanding when Dunbar first encounters the Sioux Indians and vice versa. The relationship was built through signs of gratitude and the willingness on both sides to learn more about each other. Lieutenant Dunbar the Sioux sugar and coffe beans which might not seem like much but the Sioux had never been exposed to these things and they enjoyed them. Something to think about though is that at this time that sugar Dunbar gave to the Sioux came from black slave labor which doesn't seem right at all. Communication is so key and when you cant communicate which others let alone your enemy your bound for hard times. You can also tell how frustrated the Sioux were as well as Dunbar with continually trying to say or explain something but it going no where. Not only in the movie but during this time period the communication block was the biggest issue for Indians and the White people.

Scene from the movie showing the communication block. Using hand signals for communication

      One reason most of people familiar with Native American lifestyle have issues with this movie is because there is a ton of stereotypes. The people who have the biggest issue with this movie and rightfully so is the Pawnee. The Pawnee are represented as savage murders who are really only out for blood and not only White blood but Sioux blood. The Pawnee were known for being one of the more brutal tribes but the way they were portrayed in Dances With Wolfes was inaccurate and stereotypical but the film makers needed a bad guy. Another stereotype in the film was with the ceremony cenes and the Sioux tribe. The ceremonies are portrayed as savage but really there a really important part of Native life and is there way of celebrating and coming together. Not only in Dances With Wolfes but most ceremonies involving Indians are extremely stereotypical. Another stereotype in the film was the use of weapons by the Sioux and Pawnee. During this time the Indians has traded with the Spanish and had become efficient with guns and rifles. In the film the Sioux and Pawnee only use bow and arrow which was still used at this time but thats not all they had. People always associate Indians with bow and arrows and that only but they had guns too. Even though the film was accurate at times it was also very stereotypical which is why some people have problems with the film.

Picture from the film showing a Sioux Indian surprised by the pistol which he wouldn't have been during this time.

Picture from the film showing the Pawnee as savage and looking for blood.

Picture of Sioux Indian with a rifle which wasn't in the movie

Native Tribes Summary

Sioux Tribe:

    There are seven genera tribes that belong to the Sioux tribe: Mdewakanton, Sisseton, Teton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, Yankton, Yanktonai. The Sioux people prided themselves on farming, hunting, and gathering. Things began to change for the greater in the 16^th century when they got access to horses and there diet became mainly buffalo because they were finally able to follow buffalo migration patterns. The Sioux tradition and culture maintains extremely consistent and rich. The Sioux and known for there distinguished looks; there hair is worn very long and most always black. The Sioux people are one of the most well known because of there history and past great leaders like Sioux chief Sitting Bull who was a holy man and one of the greatest Native Nations leaders there has ever been. Most well known for his leadership in the victory at Little Big Horn in 1876. The Sioux culture is filled with years of traditions. Powwows are extremely important to the people and they are held at the same time of each year and consist of dancing, singing, and tons of food and lots of eating, it’s a giant celebration. The Sioux also have tons of spiritual ceremonies like the keeping of the soul, sun dance, and the throwing of the ball. Wounded knee was another huge event that the Sioux were involved in. Wounded knee got major attention nationwide to the little town in South Dakota, which has one of largest Sioux populations. Something I learned that was really cool was the popularity of lacrosse in the Sioux community and the deep culture it contains. I play lacrosse and I’ve played against some kids that were from native tribes and knowing the importance of the game in the culture is really interesting. 

Location of the Sioux Tribes

Sitting Bull the most influential Sioux Leader the nation has ever had. 

The Battle of Wounded Knee where over 150 Sioux Indians were killed including women and children.

Sioux tribes hunting buffalo which became their main food source and the tribe was constantly on the move in order to follow the buffaloes migration patterns. 

Navajo Tribe:

   The Navajo Tribe extends into the states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Dine Bikeyah or otherwise known as Navajoland which is the main area of land the Navajo own is larger than 10 of the 50 United States. The Navajo people learned weaving, how to make clothing, and art. By the 1600's the Navajo people had been able to start raising there own food, and making there own blankets, clothes etc. The Navajo lived in homes called hogans, which were made from wooden poles, tree bark, and mud. The hogans were always made to face east for the sunlight, they had both summer and winter hogans. A really important part of Navajo history was "The Long Walk" where Navajo Indians were being held as American prisoners. There were forced to walk 300 miles to Fort Sumner in eastern New Mexico. Later the famous treaty of 1868 was signed giving them there own territory and freedom. The Navajo were mainly hunters and gatherers until they met the spanish and learned techniques on how to grow corn, beans, and squash. They eventually got into trade, trading blankets they made from wool, clothing, and cattle. The men were leaders, hunters, and the warriors and the women were the farmers; they tended the livestock, did most of the cooking, and took care of the children. That's how it is in almost every Native Indian tribe. The Navajo base there way life of the belief that the physical and spiritual world blend together. Almost everything on earth is alive and relative and that's why there land is so important to them. Within the Navajo lifestyle there are two main ceremonies; one is the blessing way, which keeps them on the path of happiness and wisdom. The second major ceremony is the enemy way, the enemy way is to discourage evil spirits. In modern time and today the Navajo reservation is the largest reservation in the United States, with over 200,000 people throughout 27,000 acres. The Navajo is closely related to the Apache tribe and most Navajo tribes are still living in their traditional territory today.

Location of the Navajo Tribe in the territory they possess. 

Famous Navajo chief Manuelito who was extremely influential of the advancement of the 

Navajo tribe and signed the Treaty of 1868 which allowed the Navajo to return to their ancestral homelands.

Peterson Zah, became Navajo Nation's first President in 1990

Seal of the Navajo Nation Government Tribe

This picture shows the Navajo culture and way alive is still very much alive.

Cherokee Tribe:

          The Cherokee Nation is one of the top five largest tribes to settle in the southeast portion of this country. Around the 1800's the Cherokee began to adopt the culture the white man brought to them. They began to dress more European, and even adopted some of there farming and building methods. In 1828, gold was discovered on Cherokee land which led to major problems for the Cherokee people. The Cherokee were forced out of there homes and there land. They were settled in Georgia for many years but were now forced to find a new place to settle. This incredibly long and dangerous journey is known as the Trail of Tears. Men, women, and children were forced to travel a span of a thousand miles and when the journey concluded about 4,000 cherokee lost their lives. Today the largest population of Cherokee live in the state of Oklahoma, where there are federal recognized Cherokee communities. After being forced to leave because of the gold the Cherokee began rebuilding. Building schools, communities, churches, newspapers, and businesses. Business began to thrive in the new Cherokee capital of Tahlequah. In 1839 and 1844 the Cherokee advocate, printed in both Cherokee and English, became the first newspaper in Indian territory and the first ever published in a Native American language. The was a huge step in the right direction for not just the Cherokee nation but all Native Americans. The Cherokee nation today is an active leader in education, housing, vocational training, business and economic development. Dont consider there land a reservation but rather a federally recognized, truly sovereign nation covering most of northeast Oklahoma.

Map showing the location of Cherokee territory. Past Territory in Georgia and current territory in Oklahoma.

Chief Bowl who in February1836, negotiated a treaty with Sam Houston in which the newly formed Republic Of Texas guaranteed the Cherokee possession of their land in east Texas. 

Bill John Baker the current Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

The seal of the Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee alphabet which was extremely influential

Apache Tribe:



        The Apache Indians came from the Alaskan region, Canada, and portions of the American Southwest. Eventually the tribe migrated further south into the U.S, and divided itself into two basic regions, with the Rio Grande river serving as the dividing line. The Apache mainly stayed nomadic meaning they were always traveling around and never settled in one specific place. The Apache used the buffalo for almost everything, food, clothing, and the buffalo is a huge part of there spiritual culture. Probably one of the most important things in Apache history the discovery and ability to learn how to ride horses. Migration and hunting was taken to a whole new level with the new ability to ride horses. Could travel vast distances in shorter amounts of time. The Apache did have weaknesses though and the Comanche tribe defeated the Apache and took there land causing the Apache to move from Kansas to New Mexico and Arizona. The Apache tribe was really focused on family and the importance of family. All Families lived in family units and remained extremely close. They lived in three types of houses, teepee's for those who lived in the plains, wickiup 8-foot frame of wood held together with yucca fibers, and Hogans which were common in almost all Indian tribes. Since the Apache were always on the move the men became proficient hunters. Before European influence the main weapon used by the hunters was a bow and arrow. There are still Apache tribes today, approximately 5,000 Apache Indians today. Apache tribes include the plains Apache (Oklahoma), the Lipan Apache (Texas), Western Apache (Arizona), Chiricahua Apache (Arizona/New Mexico), Jicarilla apache (New Mexico), and the Mescalero Apache(New Mexico). Still thriving and continuing there rich culture today.

Present Apache Location

        Chief Cochise famous Apache chief noted for courage, integrity, and military skill

One of the most recent historic Apache leaders recognized for excellent religious and military leadership

Typical Apache house which proves the Apache do not stay in one place for very long

Apache fiddle which was a big part part of there lifestyle and culture

Blackfoot Tribe:

       The Blackfoot Indians were originally nomadic American Indians that migrated from the Great Lakes regions to the Northwestern United States. After migrating to the U.S they lived in the Northern Great Plains, specifically in Montana and Idaho. There are four Blackfoot tribes, Blackfoot Siksika, Blood Kainai, Pikuni Peigan, and North Peigan Pikuni. Like most successful Indian tribes the Black foot were skilled hunters. After the White men started hunting buffalo in the 1800s almost 600 Blackfoot Indians starved to death because of the shortage of food. This shows the importance and reliance of the buffalo for the Blackfoot tribes. Each of the four tribes remain independent but all speak the same language called Algonquian. The Blackfoot Indians are very spiritual and believe strongly of supernatural powers. They believe that everything has a spirit, whether alive or inanimate and can be good or evil. This is why the culture, religion, and land is so important to most Indian tribes specifically the Blackfoot Indians. Something interesting about the Blackfoot tribe is that they are famous for confrontation. They were known for being hard to get along with and fought with neighboring tribes like the Kutenai and Sioux. The Blackfoot indians are still around today with the Blackfoot Siksika tribe being the main focus. 

Map of the Location of the four Blackfoot tribes

 Mountain Chief Ninastoko of the Blackfoot tribe

Chief Crowfoot the most influential Blackfoot Chief

Blackfoot warrior

Blackfoot tribe nation flag