Native Americans are commonly known for their spiritual connections to the land and nature. The first commandment of the 10 Native American Commandments is “Treat the earth and all that dwell thereon with respect” (Wayshowers Community Fellowship). Animals were thought of as equal to them, and before hunting for food, it wasn't uncommon for them to ask permission from the animal's spirit (Harrison). As the years have gone on the relationship Native Americans have with the land and nature has seemed to deteriorate. In the film Dances with Wolves, it has a genuine feel of the traditional practices of Native Americans. Somewhat contradicting those strong Native American traditions are the films Winter in the Blood and Smoke Signals, which have
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The Sioux tribe even accepts Dunbar, a US soldier, after numerous tries of communicating, which was hard since they spoke a Sioux Lakota dialect and Dunbar spoke English. Communication originally started when the tribe was searching for buffalo, which they knew were late and should have already been roaming the prairie around them. When they finally found the buffalo it was a field full of deceased buffalo bodies. Only their hides and tongues were taken; all the good meat was left to rot. Dunbar explained it by saying it was done by people with no “values” or “soul” and with “ no regard to Sioux rights” (Dances with Wolves). Native Americans only hunt for food, and use all parts of the animal. When the Pawnee were giving the Sioux troubles, Dunbar offered to help but the Sioux declined his offer since they have done nothing to him and they do not want him killing without a purpose just like the animals and what the 1st commandment states. When it came to marriage, it seemed to be rather sacred. Kicking Bird had to release Standing with Fist from mourning before she could remarry. He also had to accept the “gifts” received by Dunbar and the people of the tribe. If he did not accept, there would be no …show more content…
Winter in the Blood has some elders with names like Lame Bull and Yellow Calf, but the generation after them switched to names such as Virgil and Agnes. Smoke Signals has completely American name. Even the elders. Thomas and Victor, the main characters in Smoke Signals, have different views of their culture. Thomas tries to be as traditional as he can be, and is seen as an outcast for that on their Indian reservation. Coincidentally enough, he based a lot of his views over Dances with Wolves. Victor’s only view he talked about was keeping a stoic face. A mean face is the way he thinks people will respect him, not his values (Smoke Signals). Neither movie shows much respect for animals, and the spirit of animals is considered to be a big deal to Native Americans. I don't remember seeing one animal in Smoke Signals, and in Winter in the Blood when Virgil and his brother were younger, they show him killing a hawk for a bet. The only person upset was their grandmother. They had no idea of the importance of the animal until that day but it was too
The Sioux tribe even accepts Dunbar, a US soldier, after numerous tries of communicating, which was hard since they spoke a Sioux Lakota dialect and Dunbar spoke English. Communication originally started when the tribe was searching for buffalo, which they knew were late and should have already been roaming the prairie around them. When they finally found the buffalo it was a field full of deceased buffalo bodies. Only their hides and tongues were taken; all the good meat was left to rot. Dunbar explained it by saying it was done by people with no “values” or “soul” and with “ no regard to Sioux rights” (Dances with Wolves). Native Americans only hunt for food, and use all parts of the animal. When the Pawnee were giving the Sioux troubles, Dunbar offered to help but the Sioux declined his offer since they have done nothing to him and they do not want him killing without a purpose just like the animals and what the 1st commandment states. When it came to marriage, it seemed to be rather sacred. Kicking Bird had to release Standing with Fist from mourning before she could remarry. He also had to accept the “gifts” received by Dunbar and the people of the tribe. If he did not accept, there would be no …show more content…
Winter in the Blood has some elders with names like Lame Bull and Yellow Calf, but the generation after them switched to names such as Virgil and Agnes. Smoke Signals has completely American name. Even the elders. Thomas and Victor, the main characters in Smoke Signals, have different views of their culture. Thomas tries to be as traditional as he can be, and is seen as an outcast for that on their Indian reservation. Coincidentally enough, he based a lot of his views over Dances with Wolves. Victor’s only view he talked about was keeping a stoic face. A mean face is the way he thinks people will respect him, not his values (Smoke Signals). Neither movie shows much respect for animals, and the spirit of animals is considered to be a big deal to Native Americans. I don't remember seeing one animal in Smoke Signals, and in Winter in the Blood when Virgil and his brother were younger, they show him killing a hawk for a bet. The only person upset was their grandmother. They had no idea of the importance of the animal until that day but it was too