Powwow Highway
In Powwow Highway, identity politics are revealed through the embrace of Native culture by Philbert. Unlike his friend Red Bow, Philbert completely identifies with his culture and rejects white/Western culture through his actions and identity. One first sees this affirmation of his culture when he sets out to buy a car. After a reverie of wild running horses in place of static rusty cars, he gets into his newly bartered, not bought, car and promptly throws out the Madonna icon on the car's dashboard. The fact that he bartered the car is significant in that Philbert does not subscribe to the traditional Western practice of exchanging money for goods and services but instead initiates a more traditional trade. It is interesting to note that there is no signing of papers to document and legalize the transaction, indicating that there can not be any ownership in this case. The tossing of the Madonna icon also points out a rejection of Western culture and Christianity, a religion that has long played a part in the suppression of cultures and races in the name of goodness and salvation. Here Philbert could be seen as acting out pent up aggression against a dominating and hostile culture that has nearly wiped out all Native American peoples.