Hollywood Movies Indian Style

photography by: Marilyn Angel Wynn

As part of my business of Indian Country travel and photography, I'm always in search of historic and contemporary films for entertainment that are primarily based on tribal cultures. Most of the stories are drama based but you will find some genuine Indian humor scattered throughout a couple of scripts. Here's a list I made up of 16 movies (Hollywood-style) that, to various extents, present Native Americans where the script content is realistic and somewhat accurate. They range from feature films where the narrative genre involves reservation life today, historic periods, specific events and includes documentary films. These are movies that I've personally watched and feel that they all, on the most part, provide a respectful image of Native Americans and other Indigenous cultures around the world. This list is in no special order. Many of these films are available at BlockBusters.com where you can view detailed information on each film, such as actors, directors, etc. Sometimes an included plot summary is provided. Suggestions to include other films are welcome.

MOVIES:

• Whale Rider
• Rabbit Proof Fence
• A Man Called Horse
• Last Of The Mohicans
• The Last Of His Tribe: Ishi
• Skins
• Dreamkeeper
• Wardance
• Thief of Time
• Water
• Little Big Man
• Dances With Wolves
• Edge Of America
• Smoke Signals
• End Of The Spear
• Pow Wow Highway

NEW YEARS '09 GOAL #1

©Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com

Friends of Native America Group members list has surprisingly grown in the last few months. A big THANK YOU to all of you and your caring. This group is for people of tribal heritage and for those who are passionate to learn about Native American culture. We are here to network together to help protect sacred sites, promote economic development and recommend travel destinations throughout Indian Country through photography and stories. My big goal this year is to keep you members up-to-date on tribal culture, people and up-coming events. This will enable all of us to help out in some way or another, small or large. Through our networking, donations to coat drives, food drives, emergency aid, voluntary contributions or even just your time to write the odd letter are all very helpful. If any of you hear of any specific news from Indian Country that may be of interest to other members then I invite you to leave a comment. May our networking through Friends of Native America bring us all new and exciting opportunities for 2009. Kindly share any meaningful goals that you are hoping to achieve this year.