Smoke Signals Essay

Sean Davis

Smoke Signals Essay

Topic_________________

In what specific ways do the characters in the film, Smoke Signals, struggle with circumstances and ideas having to do with Native American history and stereotypes?  And in what specific ways do the characters find power and meaning in their Native American history and cultural traditions?_________________________

     The 1998 film Smoke Signals follows two Native American young men, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire. In the film, the characters struggle with stereotyping themselves as the notion all Native American's must be warriors or else they will be oppressed which is believed through history. Victor, Thomas, and Suzy find power in looking up to Arnold as a father figure. They find meaning in their Native American history and cultural traditions in there community of their family and friends. Among these issues of stereotyping was alcoholism, mostly portrayed through Arnold before he left for Arizona. But the boys are both very proud to be Native American as they show it through there love of their culture and maintaining their traditions.

    One of the specific problems Victor deals with is stereotyping himself, as he trys to prove that if you don't act the stereotype then you will be pushed around. In the film Victor  states, "You have to look like a warrior. You have to look like you just came back from killing a buffalo." This shows how Victor stereotypes his own culture as his tribe were fishermen not buffalo hunters, but he believes Thomas must also abide to this as he makes him change his outfit and hair to live adjoined to Victor's stereotype and against Thomas' own culture. Thomas believes more in appreciating their traditions though telling stories and a more spiritual aspect of their humanity.  Thomas shares positivity and a sense of community and family through his stories as he tries to redeem Arnold to Victor, a lot like Suzy. Victor finds a strong parental bond to his mother while Thomas finds his in his grandmother, but they both look to Arnold as their father despite leaving them. Victor grew up to his father's abuse while Thomas was saved from the fire by Arnold. Even Suzy found Arnold as a father figure, someone who she could keep her secrets with and vice versa.
 
  Another stereotype was the alcoholism found in these reservations, reflecting on the poverty they had to deal with in there lives. This is seen by Arnold abuse while drinking, drunk driving, and their parties. Historically, Native American reservations have had a higher alcoholism rate than most areas. The characters are able to find pride overlooking alcoholism when Victor's mom tells Arnold no more, and when Suzy tells Victor that Arnold stopped drinking when he came to Arizona. 

 All in all, the characters use both positive and negative ideas from there culture to find power. As a strong use of history and tradition gives a sense of community to Victor and Thomas. This gives the viewer an authentic portrayal of the Native American life on and off a reservation.