Reel Injun takes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema.
Please watch the film in its entirety, then write a response to one of the discussion questions listed below. Then write one reply to one of the other student's responses.
Discuss questions:
Movies like Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers and Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man feature honest depictions of Natives. Compare these movies, from an ethical perspective, with Disney’s depiction of Pocahontas as a Barbie Doll Indian Princess.
What are the consequences of distorted representations of Native people with regard to their identity, self-esteem and social and cultural development?
Keeping an open mind when watching this film, why do you think many Native Americans are so offended when they see mascots in sports (e.g.: Chicago Black Hawks, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Redskins, etc.) representing them, or when they see how they are depicted in films?