Identity Politics
In the film Powwow Highway, Redbow and Philbert show how identity politics have shaped the way they think of their tribe Cheyenne. Redbow is a very much a historical activist and was a veteran of Wounded Knee in 1973. He is conservative in his views of Cheyenne and is reluctant to let others from outside of the tribe influence what is happening. He becomes angry with his friends that decided to live in a suburban tribe. He believes that the traditional house setting is a defining part of being an Indian American. Redbow is also involved with the American Indian Movement. Because of his struggles at Wounded Knee and being very involved witht he movement, Redbow is very in tune to the realities of oppression within Cheyenne and other Indian tribes. The other main character, Philbert, is connected to his tribe Cheyenne in a different way. He is a spiritual seeker. He is constantly looking for 'signs' allow their journey and very in touch with nature. He day dreams about what Cheyenne was in the 1800s and is fixated on living that way. He is somewhat of a comdian and is very pround of being Cheyenne. In fact he even has a war pony. However, it really happens to be a beat down car that barely works. Both characters are proud of being Cheyenne, but in different ways:politically and spiritually.