GWSS Spring 2008 Section B

Pow Wow Highway is a good example of the attempt to repoliticize the road by introducing identity politics. The two protagonists are Native American men who set out to reaffirm and establish a political identity, as well as a spiritual identity. Throughout the film they are still marginalized by White people, particularly cops, however they always overcome as the road is their vehicle of non assimilation. While the white police officers treat Buddy's sister unfairly, the film makes a point of Buddy and, particularly Philbert, triumphing over the injustice and marginalization of minorities in traditional hollywood. They spring Bonnie out of jail with the ever faithful "pony," mocking the white officers and criminal justice system. They manage to speed away in the "pony" until the breaks give out. The dramatic scene in which they all think Philbert is dead as they watch the "pony" in flames, furthers the notion of the racialized other able to triumph on the road. Philbert walks out unscathed and it is at this point we realize that they may not have reached a destination but they've achieved spiritual identity, particularly Philbert.

Posted by sigmundfreud at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway causes the viewer to focus specifically on the identity of the main characters. This occurs because the characters themselves, take immense pride in their heritage, history, and future even it if boils down to the color of their skin. The movie makes it so their race is the main point of the movie and leaves the plot generally in the background. I strongly disliked this movie, not because of the story that the writers wanted to imply, but the way that they conveyed it and focused so strongly on the color of their skin and the former ways of native americans. I know that this was the goal of the movie, but, to me, it seemed overplayed and drawn out and caused me to narrow in primarily on details that were not the complete essence of the movie. Powwow hightway is a different way of looking at this and I think that the identity of people needs to be addressed but it was played out and overdone in this movie.

Posted by Alexandra Goldman at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway dealt a lot with the identity of the Native American in America today. The people as a whole are still being stereotyped as those who cannot speak proper english and who trade almost anything for alcohol. Powwow Highway addressed these issues and how a Native American can combat these stereotypes while still staying in touch with or discovering their roots. The two main characters in this film consequently to road to find their identities as Cheyenne brothers. What I noticed while watching this movie is how interesting it is that almost all oppressed people became so because of land and resources. It is difficult in America to subvert these ideas and reclaim what once belonged to a people.

Posted by releasethekraken at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway dealt a lot with the identity of the Native American in America today. The people as a whole are still being stereotyped as those who cannot speak proper english and who trade almost anything for alcohol. Powwow Highway addressed these issues and how a Native American can combat these stereotypes while still staying in touch with or discovering their roots. The two main characters in this film consequently to road to find their identities as Cheyenne brothers. What I noticed while watching this movie is how interesting it is that almost all oppressed people became so because of land and resources. It is difficult in America to subvert these ideas and reclaim what once belonged to a people.

Posted by releasethekraken at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Posted by tranx246 at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway and the adventures that Buddy and Philbert experience on the road offer the two Cheyenne men with a new perspective with which they identify. Philbert, having never taken to the road, begins to realize the extent of the spiritual connections of the Cheyenne. Buddy, beginning with a very angry and vengeful identity, begins to spiritualize his Cheyenne identity. The identity politics of this film are represented by the inner and outer debates of Philbert and Buddy as they struggle to find their Cheyenne identity, despite the obstacles of racism and the pressures of American capitalism. The road aides the two men in claiming a new perspective on their identities as Cheyenne and as Native Americans.

Posted by Miss Blog at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Identity politics have a rather large role in the film Powwow Highway through the two separate, yet intrinsically connected journeys. Buddy, who begins in the film as a heavy player in the economics and wellbeing of the Lame Deer Reservation, acting as an activist and voice for the folks of the Reservation, making sure that the government and big companies are unable to access the land for profit. When Buddy's estranged sister calls Buddy and needs to be bailed from jail he enlists his friend Philbert, who has just purchased a new car, his 'war pony' to drive him to New Mexico.

It is at this point where identity politics become a huge part of the plot. This is because the shift goes from Buddy, the outspoken activist, to Philbert, the soft spoken loof of a man. Philbert, who traded drugs and booze (and money) for his car, seemed to be a relatively politically and culturally uninterested member of the Cheyenne nation. However, upon the trip off of the Reservation Philbert begins to become infatuated with the idea of the men being "The Cheyenne," becoming interested in the history and teachings of his people. He often stops or makes unexpected detours in order to complete his spiritual journey, which begins to irritate Buddy. In the end, however, Buddy is appreciative of Philbert's quirky need to reconnect to their culture, because Philbert is the one who ultimately pushes the narrative and story along, liberating Buddy's sister from jail and caring for her two children. Philbert's spirituality and need for culture ultimately penetrates into Buddy's life, creating unity between the two men, a mutual respect that certainly didn't exist before the trip.

Posted by Cave at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway deals with identity politics by seeing the past through Buddy, Philbert, and other important characters within the film and acknowledging their culture as something powerful and important. Just the fact that this movie is based around the Native American culture, causes the audience to realize how serious the issues brought up in the movie are. This was even seen in the film during the scene when Buddy and Philbert stopped at the powwow and Buddy defended his friend against the white man and his Native American gang of followers. The argument ended when a guy sitting in the stands threw a tomahawk at the wall. The white man and his followers left, as if they sensed danger. This scene was significant to me because it represented the innumerable occasions the white man takes what he wants, and sometimes forgets that the oppressed can stand up for themselves, violently if necessary. And of course, the white man gets scared and runs away. As for the use of the road in this film, at first it represented mobility only, but as the movie continued, I could see the road hindering Buddy, but empowering Philbert. Without the use of the road and Philbert's pony, Philbert wouldn't have been able to see the sights that he saw and find his charms of luck. Buddy's road experience seemed at first a distraction, with Philbert making detours before they got to New Mexico. Eventually, we see both charters reaching a common bond during the scene with Buddy and Philbert singing in the river.

Posted by will1612 at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Philbert and Buddy, two long time friends decide to hit the road in order to get Buddy`s sister out of jail. Both guys, though from the same tribe and same values have opposite ways of living. From their very childhood, Buddy and Philbert were already very different from one another. Philbert was the shy, little fat kid everyone made fun of while Buddy was considered as a cool kid. What`s really amazing is that Buddy`s temper and restlessness don`t seem to trouble Philbert at all during the trip. Philbert would always stop and perform "Cheyenne" rituals despite Buddy`s opinions. Right before the end of the movie, we start to notice a change in Buddy`s views of his own culture."You should be proud of it;wear it more often" was what he was told by Philbert about the traditional necklace he wore. In this movie, the road played a big factor when it came to revealing and somewhat changing one`s identity politics.

Posted by quevi003 at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two completely different people with different destinations are placed in the same car, on the same road. Philbert and Redbow both challenge the authorities with a lot of spirit yet in very different ways. Redbow can be seen from the beginning as an activist standing up for the economically suppressed Native Americans. Philbert, on the other hand, is laid back and lets things be how they are meant to be. He does not necessarily accept them, seen towards the ends of the movie when he breaks Bonnie out of jail. Redbow is aggressive and anger driven. When the owner of the stereo store was looking down on them thinking that they would not be able to afford the equipment they were looking at, Redbow was building up anger. He just needed a reason to go crazy. Instead of realizing maybe he did not know how to work the stereo, it was his reason to go in and trash the store. Redbow was also disappointed to hear that his friend was giving up the fight and moving to a safer place (a place Redbow considered all the coward people who were too afraid to stand up for their own people, lived). Philbert lived in his own little world full of signs from the gods believing that all things happen for a reason. He is driven by “The Cheyenne� and the courage that they had. It is seen that towards the end Redbow began to understand Philbert. Redbow started to understand that being angry all the time does not solve anything and that Phibert and him were fighting the same oppression just in different ways. In the beginning it seemed like Redbow was annoyed with Philbert but he’s love for Philbert showed at the end when he thought Philbert had died in the crash. Identity politics played a dominant role in this film, it definitely could not have been missed.

Posted by Lulu at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As we have seen in so many films, the road more often than not has the power and does change people. In Powwow Highway, the road acts as a means for Buddy Red Bow and Philbert's identity politics more similar than they were when they were on the reservation. Buddy Red Bow is much more political and and is fighting for economic stability as well. Philbert is much more simple minded and lives by the way of his people. These friends have similar identity politics in that they are both Cheyenne but are very different in how they experience life and their culture. The road allows for change and growth. Traveling brings not only your body but your mind to new places. These friends act as challenges to each other, also allowing for new ideas and emotional and spiritual growth to happen. Identity politics are an important thing to examine because of the marginalization that comes with the loaded term. This already sets them apart from many experiences. Through this journey we see how their identity politics develop. The road is the means by which the development is allowed, when they leave their reservation, and take off.

Posted by believer. at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Philbert and Buddy are two very different kinds of people. Philbert is very psychically oriented as opposed to Buddy who is very politically oriented. Buddy is embodiment of identitiy politics. He feels very wounded by the injustices done to his people and through that derives his views on the world around him. We see this most strongly in the electronics store where he nearly attacks a man thinking that he has sold him bum equiptment because of his racial alliance. Philbert meanwhile, goes with the flow, and figures out the machine. Philbert has faith in his surrounding- and much like his ancestors before him- looks for omens and finds his way. Philbert seems to be representing the past, and who his people were, and while Buddy is supposed to be an advocate of said people- they are very much at odds because of Philbert's dreamy nature.

Continue reading "Undying Spirit" »

Posted by ninjasecret at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alright so I have never been good with politics or understanding them in general, let alone finding them in a movie. The most noticable case of politics from my point of view was the fact that there was a distinct sense of discrimination towards native americans in the movie. The fact that the main character's sister was framed for having weed on her was ridiculous, especially when the cop just happened to know exactly where to look and she knew nothing of it. Her treatment while in jail was also poor because of her heritage, which made me sick as well. When it comes to identity politics on the road, it seemed like there was a very big difference between the two men in how they see their people- one sees them as a majestic breed and another sees them as a corrupt system of bosses and money. I think that because there are two different points of view that are both very opposite, it creates a strange plot that is stil pretty interesting. Identity politics kept the big guy happy with his spritual journey and the other guy on edge because there was work to do and not a lot of time with the voting thing going on soon. I think without these two different vibes the movie would be boring and no one would be interested. This road journey in general to save a framed sister was how these politics were revealed and it was, in consideration of the general movie, somewhat a good movie.

Posted by ZoraMonkey at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pow Wow Highway operates within identity politics of marginalized people in the United States, dealing most significantly with kinship politics and economies of oppression. The road is very male in this film, with two oddly paired men out to save a woman who has been subjected by the white male capitalist system. Buddy and Philbert vividly play out the past-present conflict inherent to most identity politics. Do marginalized groups use modern methods of radical politics and protest to achieve their end? Or is it crucial to connect with the history of one’s group and movement in order to effectively fight the powers that be? In Pow Wow Highway, it turns out that you need both to liberate yourself. But more than that, the film says that identity politics are based in a kinship bond, people with the same background and the same interests staying connected and helping eachother with little question or suspicion. It feels good to watch a film in which people believe in eachother and make a community effort to lift themselves out of oppression. But it is also a constant war against the outside world, with little room for a person from within the hegemonic power structure to truly understand their struggle. I did enjoy that the only such person was a strong and sassy woman.
The road in the film is the trip to kinship bonds and escape from the white male capitalist system. As Professor Zita said in class, it is the road to non-conformity, a place where the characters do not try or want to become a part of the “other� world that has been coded as white.

Posted by Jenny at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The film Powwow Highway is a road film that provides a journey that is not just physical, but is filled with self exploration that leads to establishing an identity. While watching the film I found myself lacking an identity that is as rich in history as that of Buddy and Philbert as they a strong understanding of their culture and where they come from. At the beginning of the film there are images of oppression to the Native American community through car dealership commericals and the attitudes of the business men trying to gain profit from the land that makes up the reservation.

As Buddy and Philbert go on a journey that represents their people that are being oppressed I search through my hertiage and realize that I have never identified as being a part of an oppressed group of people. My relatives may have come to the United States for more opportunities but the stories have never reached me. Unlike Philbert I do not have an oral history that teaches me of where I come from and who I am in relation to the world. For Philbert he has an understanding for all things in life and sees the importance of his history that gives him a different perspective, instead of feeling oppressed he believes that everything happens for a reason and that the spirits are there to protect him.

Buddy is fighting for his people in a different way than Philbert, it is more political but this causes him to create a separation of himself from the tribe that he is so active for. Throughout the road journey Philbert helps to reconnect Buddy to his true identity by stopping at many places along the way that have historical significance. Philbert gets Buddy to stand in a stream with him, dance at a powwow, and at the end of the film gain a true acceptance of who he is when his necklace that he received from being in wounded knee contributed to Philbert surviving the car crash. The road in the film provides a medium for Buddy and Philbert to take a journey that is not linked to a particular action or event, but is one that goes past the political relm and into each inividual that others can see and experience while watching the film.

Posted by Gertrude at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The characters within Powwow Highway are going through different journeys. Buddy and Philbert are struggling with their identity, and their place in the world, that each is dealing with. The road and their physical trip become symbols for the type of emotional and mental growth and changes that they are undergoing. They are definitely experiencing very different changes, and their internal narratives and "traveling" do not coincide with each other. This is exemplified very clearly in their road trip, especially in the early stages. Buddy needs to go to get his sister out of jail (which symbolizes his internal struggles) but Philbert who is the driver is on a different course, that takes them to the Dakotas and throughout middle USA. It is interesting to see the intersection of their paths and how their understandings of their own identity shape their road trip

Continue reading "Struggle within" »

Posted by whoa at 9:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Buddy Red Bow and Philbert Bono both exemplify the concept of identity politics in this movie, although they approach the issue in very different ways. Although these men have a similar background, the film begins with them in very different places: Red Bow is much more politically active while Bono focuses on the spiritual and the old ways of his people. However, when they take to the road, they begin to work for the same goals. Identity politics really comes into play at this point as they are both learning more about their culture and what it means to be Cheyenne. Red Bow becomes more interested in the traditions of his culture (such as when he dances at the powwow) and Philbert continues to try to understand the way things used to be done and looks for signs. If it weren't for the road, they never would have been given the chance to grow as much as they did, and wouldn't have understood their culture as much as they did by the end of the film.

Posted by orour078 at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Identity politics are front and center in Powwow Highway as we watch Redbow's violent reactions to any perceived slight by a white person (e.g. trashing the electronics shop after and struggling against being forcibly removed from the New Mexico police station). Redbow most overtly challenges the dominant and oppressive white culture and is visibly angry with the way Native Americans have been treated historically and in recent years, while Philbert takes pride in their Cheyenne heritage (as seen through his repeated proud pronouncement that "We are Cheyenne") and takes to heart the folklore and traditions of the tribe. Yet while Redbow is the visible rebel, Philbert also challenges white dominance and conventions--he, not Redbow, breaks Bonnie out of jail and steals enough money from the police to replace Rabbit's $2000 and the money given to Redbow for livestock. Identity politics play a role in getting Redbow and Philbert on the road, as well--the federal authorities who are "after" Redbow arrest his sister in order to get him off the reservation during an important vote and perhaps to arrest him, as well. As our two heroes travel, the people and places they encounter along the way highlight their Native American heritage and the hardships that came from interaction with whites. Even within reservation communities, like the one where Redbow's fellow activist lives (before leaving for a nondescript housing development), dissention seems to be based in identity politics. The (white) government's involvement in reservation life is a contentious point for Redbow and others, and one that Redbow can't escape by leaving his own reservation. As Redbow, Philbert, Bonnie, Rabbit, and Bonnie's children flee the police and the feds at the end of the film, they drive Philbert's dilapidated "war pony" as fasy as it will go while the white authorities chase them with a ridiculous amount of manpower for catching a group of unarmed people, two of whom are children. Their escape reveals a moment where they are free from the dominance of the white culture--but only because the white pursuers presume they are dead.

Posted by ristee at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Red Bow seems much more interested in the current state of his people than the history. He is tired of the image they have been given. He thinks Philbert is wasting time on his spiritual journey, yet eventually joins him in actions of Cheyanne pride, like singing. While searching for a car stereo, they are offered the poorest quality equipment by the white salesperson, who mocks them when Red Bow choses the most expensive equipment, and then jumps to the conclusion that he had been cheated. As irrational of a decision as this was, he simply wanted to make the point that he should not be patronized for his skin.
Philbert doesnt see himself succumbing to westernization because in his mind, he's on a mission for the cheyanne and proudly envisions himself no different from his ancestors . He expresses sorrow when he is told few people remember one of the Cheyanne's prophets and the man to whom he was speaking sighs "no one cares about history these days." Ironically, he uses a scene from a Western film, oftentimes degrading to Native Americans, as inspiration on how to spring Bonnie from jail, who was imprisoned under false circumstances anyway.
Bonnie's children have been removed from their roots, they didnt even know what tribe they were, and like many white Americans do, clumped their collective history together as "Indian." But through this journey they learn who they are. happy ending this time.

Posted by Bob Dole at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In Powwow Highway, identity politics are dealt with and played out/revealed through predominantly Cheyenne-related engagements on the road. The most interesting aspect of this particular film's relation to identity politics is that the two main characters are bound not only by their shared Native American religion and race, but also their social background. This is not to say that Buddy and Philbert share the same viewpoints concerning these constructs, but merely that there is a broad range of common ground for the pair to form rebellious political alliances that aim to deviate from traditional American party lines. For Buddy, overt references to identity politics are teased out through conflict. Throughout the film, Buddy rails against injustices imposed by the lingering remnants of European imperialism, and this reaches its culmination in the deliberately incoherent defense he makes against pursuing police cars--his violent transformation into a fully embellished Indian warrior signals not only a metaphorical escape from exploitation and prejudice, but also an awakening of Buddy's Cheyenne heritage that he previously seemed to embrace only hesitantly. For Philbert, an identity as (specifically) Cheyenne is thoroughly presented through the recurring visions he experiences, his overt reiteration of his tribe's importance, and his constant appreciation for nature and the deepest roots of his ancestry. Philbert is much less politically fervent when compared to Buddy, but the effect of his journey on the road is still that of awakening and transcendence. Indeed, the rusty, "unfair" confines of his vehicle are overcome--not only does the car continue to function without seemingly necessary maintenance, but the film is, in a way, allowed to end once the car is destroyed.

Posted by pete5676 at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In the film Powwow Highway, identity politics play a role in both Buddy and Philbert's actions in that they are trying to better their culture, both within the reservation and society at large. While on the road to bail his sister from jail, Buddy shows his emotions towards the company trying to access the reservation's natural resources. He knows that the businessmen are just trying to take advantage of the Native Americans and in turn has been trying to promote awareness about this issue. Buddy's anger has built up towards these businessmen, so much so that when he confronts Sandy Youngblood in the bar and uncovers Youngblood's ploy to get Buddy off the res, he physically takes out his anger by punching Youngblood. Philbert tries to better Native American society in a much different, peaceful manner. He relates most of his actions to the way culture used to be. In his horse, he sees a stallion; in every trinket he comes across, a sign from the ancestors or above; and in places his ancestors visited, a connection with the past. He provides a good example for the rest of their society in terms of culture and respecting their ancestors.

Both men identify with identity politics in a different way, but attempt to make changes together. One could argue whether or not stealing from the prison and breaking out Red Bow's sister was the right way to go about it, but they certainly made a point.

Posted by Pumpkin at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Posted by Emma Zoch at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Identity politics involve political action to advance the interests of a usually suppressed group of people. This is a very prominent issue in the film Powwow Highway. The film highlights two Native American men (Buddy Red Bow and Philbert) who try to preserve the beliefs and customs of their people in a changing world.

The two of these men go about their similar trial in very different manners. Buddy Red Bow uses a more contemporary effort to help with Cheyenne preservation, while Philbert tries his best to stay true to customs and traditions that have been passed down - customs that may carry more weight among the Natives involved, but would be a tough sell to the politicians and corporations involved. During this journey, the two men eventually become somewhat accustomed to the alternative ideas. Buddy Red Bow embraces his faith and the decorated culture of his people, while Philbert involves himself politically to some degree. As the men spend more time with each other on the road, this is much more evident, and it is something that helps the men experience and help their heritage in a much more broad manner.

The only problem I had with this movie is that it seemed to depict strong stereotypes of Native Americans - which may have been slightly more appropriate given the 1989 film release. However in personal experience, my Native friends often compose themselves in a manner that isn't given attention in the movie - a manner that is often shared by people of all cultures. I don't believe this film did justice to identity politics with a bulk of people, including Native Americans. However the political activism and cultural tradition used to fight for preservation was obvious nonetheless, and convey the identity politics which the filmmakers likely wanted to demonstrate.

Posted by ryanx422 at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I enjoyed the film Powwow Highway and it highlighted many different aspects of identity politics. However, I thought that it played into Native American stereotypes a little too much. The stereotyping masked many of the deeper messages it could have been conveying. I agree with Susie Q in that the film portrayed two extreme Native American stereotypes. The main characters, Buddy Red Bow and Philbert Bono both identify with their heritage in different ways. For example, Red Bow tries to protect his people from being taken advantage of by the corporations. In doing so, he depicts a sense of pride and identification with his heritage. On the other hand, Philbert stays true to his Native American heritage in his beliefs and follows the traditions of the Native American people.
The road in this movie represents the journey that each man takes that leads them closer to their Native American heritage. By the end of the film, they come to a better understanding of not only each other, but of their common culture.

Posted by Beyonce at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, first of all I think this movie was a great film. It was very interesting and totally brough other sides of the Native American. However, I am truly confused for the reason behind why we watched that film. Because so far in this class, we have seen road films that are centered on women. And this film doesn't have any main female characters and doesn't at all revolve around a female character. So, it was weird to watch a movie about a colored person that too of a male.

To answer the blog question. i would say that the film revolves around the stereotypes that are used on the native american. It also deals with the political side. Because in the movie, in the beginning there was a meeting going on where these business men are asking the native american to vote them to build mines in their place. And the person who is talking seems to be a native american as well. So, he sort of represents the native american who work for the white people and is sort of betraying his own people. There are two main character for this film. One of them is totally against the stereotypes of native american. i don't remember his name, but he doesn't really believe in religion, doesn't have faith, doesn't respect his culture so much. But, he works for his own people and are against the whites with building mines at their place. And on the other side, there is this another main lead who is sort of like the typical native american that we would imagine or the stereotypes that we have. He is very religious. Some of the things that he does throughout the film may seem very weird, but it represents his beliefs and faith. So, this film tries to justify the movie by showing both characteristics of the native american people.

Throughout the film, the man who is very spritiual keeps saying "we are cheyenne". I don't know what cheyenne means, but it seems like a nationality or a tribal group. But, in relation to the context that it is used often, I would say that cheynne means 'united'. Because whenever we say 'we are american', of course other person knows that we are american, but we truly mean is that we are the same people, we are united, and we should help each other. So, i believe 'we are cheyenne' is also same as how we say 'we are american'.

over all it was a great film.

Posted by Sakina at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I really liked Powwow Highway eventhough it really played on this idea of identity politics and stereotypes. This was evident in both our main characters, Redbow and Filbert. They were both portrayed as the the two extreme types of Native Americans. Redbow in away denies identity by disbelieving in things like the native spirits and the tricksters. However, it is interesting because he is also the one protesting to save his native land from white coorporations eventhough he too has a whiteness about him by denying his tribal beliefs. Filbert, on the other hand, is extremely spiritual and wants to see all of the precious lands that were apart of his culture. He is more of the stereotypical Native American, and I feel that more people see the Natives as him rather than as Redbow. I think that both of these men were born into this identity as being spiritual and having a connection to the land but Redbow denies it while Filbert embraces it. Another interesting thing to look at in this film is the identity politics shown towards white people. The cops are all made out to be racist towards the Native Americans and they seem to have a "I'm better than you," attitude towards them. I thought it was interesting that a female cop brought Bonnie's kids to visit her in the prison cell and kicked them out after a minute as opposed to five because generally females are more companssionate and one would think that she would have sympathy towards her, but she does not. Another interesting character is Rabbit because she is the only white person who does have sympathy for Bonnie and the Native Americans, she even hits on Buddy Redbow. Overall, I thought it was a good movie but it does play on stereotypes and identity politics to an extreme.

Posted by Susie Q at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Identity politics is found clearly in the movie Powwow Highway. Even though the main characters, Buddy Red Bow and Philbert Bono, are extremely different in their beliefs and ideas about their band, the Cheyenne, they share experiences in regard to the injustices brought upon them. With Philberts ideas on how to preserve his people, stemming around the old stories and preserving the old ways of the Cheyenne, and Buddy's ideas on how to preserve his people, stemming around laws, legislature, and political activism as a way to preserve his people, these two men couldn't be any different in their ideas. Even though they go about things in different ways, they both have a common goal. Their ideas will merge on the road and they will see the other as equals and they will both share in the other's ideas and experiences on how to preserve their people. Buddy becomes more spiritual and shares customs of the old people from his band while Philbert, though remaining spiritual, displays acts of political activism and "damn's the man" when helping Buddy's sister out of jail and stealing the money from the police station. If these men can band together to help their people, anyone can band together in search of a common goal. This movie brings hope to the hopeless and inspiration to the uninspired.

Posted by bella at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway is a unique narrative that deals with Native American identity politics and takes them on the road. The filmmaker sought to highlight the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1850 with the stand-off and siege of Wounded Knee in 1973, having both incidents haunt the memories of our protagonists Buddy and Philbert.
Buddy is worldly and business savvy, having both been a veteran of Vietnam (the purple heart) and of the 1973 incident at Wounded Knee. While Buddy works for his people (the Cheyenne) and helps protect their business interests, he has a disconnect from his culture, thinking that the old ways are bullshit. Philbert, on the other hand, has a deep connection to the old ways, looking towards them in his attempt to become a Cheyenne warrior. Philbert appears to have never been off the reservation and seems unaware of the deep vein of hurt that comes with the oppression of his people by outside interests.

The men travel southward towards Santa Fe and they hit a few detours (courtesy of Philbert's path to becoming a warrior). Along the way, they meet up with some of Buddy's fellow Wounded Knee veterans, attend a powwow, and stop and pay respect to several places considered sacred by the Cheyenne. These pit-stops introduce Philbert o the highly complex politically-charged world outside of the reservation -- the reasons why identity politics were established. They encounter betrayals by both outsiders (dominant culture) and from within (those who work in the interests of the dominant culture), the difficulties of maintaining a lifestyle in co-ordinance with one's culture outside of the reservation, the lack of any aid for Native American war veterans, and the disconnect one can develop with one's own culture. At the same time, we are introduced to the Cheyenne spirit -- a respect for nature and others, as well as a spirit to endure and persevere through all obstacles.

Both men find in each other that which was missing from their warrior paths. As Philbert's understanding of the complexities of the politics surrounding Native American life grows and becomes more worldly, Buddy finds himself opening up to a reconnection to his culture. By the end of the adventure, both men have moved much closer to the middle -- a combination of reverence and respect for one's own culture and an understanding of what lies outside -- which seem to be traits of a warrior. In the end, both men are well on their way to becoming true Cheyenne warriors.

Posted by Sweeper887 at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Powwow Highway deals very directly with the topic of identity politics through a frequently ignored oppressed group – the Native Americans. Buddy Redblood best embodies the modern quest for justice and identity among this group. An avid activist in the American Indian Movement, Buddy takes an aggressive, at times even militant approach to securing his freedom and pride. There are several examples of this throughout the film including his standoff with Youngblood (both times), his fight with the white electronics clerk, and the hurling of glass at an oncoming police car. His rash actions demonstrate how the rage multiple decades of oppression manifests itself. As a member of the oppressed group in the film, Redblood is allowed to get away with his criminal actions, affirming the cause he is fighting for and his angry feelings. Philbert represents the search for identity and resistance to oppression through traditional Native American means, such as visiting sacred ground and retelling stories with an important message.

On the road, the only positive interactions that take place between whites and Native Americans occur with Bonnie’s friend Rabbit. Bonnie seems to be acclimated into white culture, having lived off of the reservation and having half white children (perhaps this is why Redblood hasn’t talked with her in years?). Redblood perceives Rabbit and even his own “acclimated� people as threats to his being and way of life. After the men leave the reservation, Redblood’s actions seem out of line, and yet at the meeting with Youngblood he seems like a fervent young man speaking out for those surrounding him. A consciousness rising occurs in Santa Fe among Bonnie’s children, Skye and Jane. The children do not know their identity as Native Americans, but quickly find out from Bonnie and Philbert after posing the question. Defining places of identity are found in Philbert’s frequent stops along the Midwest. He visits his ancestors, witnessing the grounds of their oppression and drawing strength to continue the journey. The Native American identity is at the core of this film, concluding with the group walking away from the camera, free from white oppression - for the time being. They are still on the run from the law and will more than likely only achieve peace back on the reservation, continuting the battle of having their identity accepted and respected among popular culture.

Posted by Rita Racine at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)