Powwow Highway
The film Powwow Highway deals with identity politics through the two main characters of the movie. These two Native Americans men, Buddy and Philbert, begin by going out on the road to free Buddy’s sister, Bonnie, out of jail with a car from a car from a place like a junk yard. There was something that was not right about Bonnie’s arrest. Philbert who is the spiritual one finds faith in the journey, even though it is him who bought the old beat up car. These two characters face identity politics by the oppressive view towards the Cheyenne’s culture. Philbert appreciates his own culture identity. On the other hand Buddy is kind of aloof to his cultural identity until Philbert faith challenges Buddy’s tough and angry opinion on the world. He wants to fight for his reservation to save it from the “politicians in-fighting” and “developers.” When Philbert stops at various locations to appreciate the land given, Buddy just wants to keep going on their road trip. Through the road trip Philbert and Buddy find their self determination with Philbert’s faith changing Buddy’s view on the world and on their culture. They have an understanding of their own individuality.