Smoke Signals

The portrayal of native people by non-native people on the big screen from the beginning of native cinema has always been stereotypical, faulty, and lack authenticity. In the film Smoke Signals by native film maker Chris Eyre, however,this struggle is presented in a comedic light, giving insight to what it's like to be a native person living with the false expectations. During the bus ride where the main characters, Victor and Thomas are on their way to pick up Victor's father's ashes; Victor complains about the amount of times Thomas watches the film Dances With Wolves and how he isn't "indian" enough. "Quit grinning like an idiot. Indians aint supposed to smile like that! Get stoic, like this. You gotta look mean or people won't respect you. White people will run all over you if you don't look mean. You gotta look like a warrior! You gotta look like you just came back from killing a buffalo!" (Smoke Signals)  In which Thomas response to as "But our tribe never hunted buffalo - we were fishermen." (Smoke Signals) The misrepresentation of the Native Nations in cinema creates a false image of what "indians" are suppose to look and act to both native and non-native people, it creates an inaccurate standard and image that native people are expected to lived up to; a mold they're suppose to fit into. Although Thomas enjoys watching Dances With Wolves, he understands the difference between reality and entertainment. When he sees the old western "Indian" film playing at Suzy Song's place, he says "The only thing more pathetic than Indians on TV is Indians watching Indians on TV." (Smoke Signals) Thomas recognizes the ridiculousness of the concept of "Indians" not only being entertainment to white people, but native people as well; it's pathetic that the natives who watch do not even realize the disrespect and racism within those films. For those that do realize and step up to the light to show that the Native Nations aren't what all the movies have made them out to be, it's rough journey. After having to put up with the sheriff's racist indian jokes, Thomas and Victor were able to not be leave his office without charges. " 'I can't believe we got outta that guy's office alive.'  'Yeah, I guess your warrior look does work sometimes.' " (Smoke Signals) The real sad thing here is that although the accident was completely the drunken white man's fault, no one would have believed Thomas and Victor's words if it weren't for the man's wife speaking out against her husband. They joke about living up to the "warrior Indian" image, but they knew when it really came down to White vs Native, Native doesn't stand a chance. There are many more ironic remarks made by native people through out the film that mock the native stereotype established by the film industry, whether intentional or not, they're bringing awareness and shining a positive light on native films.

As Victor's character develops throughout the film, a theme of forgiveness emerges. Through Victor's journey to retrieve his father's ashes, he learns to forgive not only his father, but also himself.  From the beginning of the film, Thomas can be seen tossed out of a window and saved by Victor's father Arnold. " 'You saved Thomas. You did a good thing.' 'I didn't mean to.'" (Smoke Signals) Tomas's Grandma thanks Arnold for saving Thomas, even though she knew the fire was Arnold's fault, she still is thankful for having her grandson, and she want to remind Arnold there's still a sliver lining in the tragedy. However Arnold spent the rest of his days drowning in the guilt and responsibility, never being able to forgive himself, which led to his abusive acts toward Victor, alcoholism and eventually
leaving his family behind. Unfortunately, Victor never knew about the reason behind his father's action till it was too late. In an argument Thomas has with Victor, the subject of Arnold leaving comes up and Thomas points out how it has changed Victor. "All I know is that when your father left, your mother lost you too." (Smoke Signals) When Arnold left, Victor was only a child; he didn't know why his father left, so naturally, he blamed himself. He was so focused on the hurt his father brought to him, he couldn't see the hurt he brought to his mom. Once Victor found out the real reason why Arnold left and why he'd always been more of a father to Thomas that himself, he is finally able to let go of his painful past. Although Arnold passed before he was able returned home to his wife and son, Victor is the one to release his ashes back in to the cycle of life, and Thomas's voice ends the film with "Do we forgive our fathers in our age or in theirs? Or in their deaths, saying it to them, or not saying it?If we forgive our fathers what is left?" (Smoke Signals) Victor forgives in both Arnold's time and his time, he is able to forgive his father for leaving when he found out about the fire. he then able to forgive himself. He can finally forgive and forget, let go of his past of pointing blame and taking blame, and move on with his life, with only the great memories of his father.