Introduction
The relationships between Native Americans and the United States have never been simple. From the first conflicts between English colonists and indigenous people in the 17th century till today, Indians must prove their rights and freedoms. On the one hand, there are many marginalized communities in the United States, and Native Americans are one of them. White Americans use their reasons to demonstrate their superiority over other underserved populations. On the other hand, it is impossible to neglect the presence of this group in many American works of art, sport, and movies. Thus, indigenous symbolism in modern America has its impact and meaning, and this paper analyzes the relationships between the representatives of both communities. It is not enough to identify if there is some cultural logic that allows Americans to respect and disrespect Native Americans at the same time. The task is to show how the contributions of indigenous people penetrate many spheres of American life, including art, cinema, music, and sport. The history of conflict between Native Americans and the United States might explain the worth of indigenous symbols in the cultural heritage of the country.
History of American – Indigenous People Relationships
American history is rich in various events that contributed to the country’s national growth and progress. Although the Declaration of Independence was signed by the founding fathers on July 4, 1776, there were many moments before and after that date to demonstrate the importance of collaboration and unity. Although Christopher Columbus is no longer considered the first explorer of the Americas, his role in discovering the New World could not be ignored. For a long period, people addressed the history when one Italian traveler reached the American land and called indigenous people “Indians” because he thought he was in India (“America’s Great Indian Nations”; Trahant). These people were neither black nor white, and their behavior was friendly and respectful to the strangers believed to be gods. It could be one of the reasons for accepting indigenous people as kind and a little bit naïve. However, for several centuries, white men (British colonists) invaded the region in search of additional wealth and free power (“America’s Great Indian Nations”). Indians had nothing to do but protect their land and lives and use natural resources against horses and guns brought by the foreigners.
The desire to gain power over others made individuals angry and cruel, and Native Americans did not want to accept the rules imposed by the colonists. It was impossible to stop or manage the conflicts between the representatives of two different worlds, and the history of American-Indian wars lasted until the end of the 19th century. The Wounded Knee Massacre was one of the last major fights in Native American history, dated December 29, 1890 (Walker). Still, even that historical event that happened more than a century ago provoked new debates and controversies in American society. Twenty Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers who participated in the bloody massacre and killed about 300 Lakota Indians, including women and children (Walker). Such a decision seemed unfair and unethical to appreciate the white citizens and marginalize Native Americans who have the same rights and obligations today. It is wrong to appreciate that level of atrocity, and many white Americans continue demonstrating their support for indigenous people. However, such concerns and awards strengthen the inability to forget about the conflict and accept or try to forgive those innocent deaths.
Despite the possibility of finding peace and alliance with some British inquisitors, Native Americans faced multiple challenges imposed by the US government. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed to end the War of the American Revolution and find beneficial alternatives for the United States and the British (“Broken Treaties”). Unfortunately, Native Americans were not included in that treaty, which meant they lost British support and had to struggle for their rights against new enemies. White Americans could use indigenous people’s property for different purposes. With time, the only way to set the boundaries was to create reservations when Native Americans could establish their rules and follow their traditions. Some territories were privately owned by Indians and non-Indians, known as the allotment areas. This approach defined the land and broke down the communal structure (“Broken Treaties”). The price was too high because Native Americans had to “lose their Indianness” through learning English, dressing in modern clothes, and even turning into another (Western) religion (“Broken Treaties”). It was also expected that the US Indian policies would promote assimilation and unite all citizens of the same region in a peaceful way.
Some people believe that the history of conflict makes sense, addressing the current cultural, social, economic, and political differences between indigenous people and the United States. As a result, many Native Americans have to strive for self-determination and the protection of their rights because many threats and injustice affect their lives. Their lifestyles, problems, and interests are discussed in social media and other sources to show that the United States cannot forget or neglect the impact of Indian symbolism and history. All at once, the government and some citizens are not able to neglect Native American cruelty and some wildness and detachment from the ordinary order and existing law.
Native American Symbols and Images
Today, most individuals do not pay enough attention to symbols that surround them and consider images as a part of their everyday life, neglecting their history and origin. In the United States, white and Native American traditions are combined, and it is hard to recognize the line that divides these two different cultures. American Indians are the authors of many interesting projects, but their recognition is challenged by various factors. According to Trahant, European ancestry has already killed Indian culture or continues misinterpreting it because people forget or neglect the existing imagery. For example, in marketing, sport, art, and the military, there are many Indian images. American missiles are called Tomahawk, and American helicopters have the names “Apache” and “Kiowa” (Miranda). The first application of Indian images was noted at the end of the 18th century when Thomas Jefferson created a medal for foreigners to represent the fledgling country through an Indian woman wearing a feather crown (Miranda). Then, more similar images appeared on official seals and other products and services.
However, a number of questions and misunderstandings occurred from the Native American side because they did not realize why white Americans used their people and signs to represent another culture. One such example could include a cigarette pack with the image of the Cherokee silversmith and the creator of the local syllabary, Sequoyah, on it (Miranda). His image with a tobacco pipe in his mouth is common in the tobacco industry, replacing his real contribution to Cherokee education and intelligence. Such inappropriateness questions any cultural logic in the American decision to use indigenous symbols and disregard history and facts.
Native American Role in Promoting American Music
There are many areas where Native American impact can be noticed, and music is one of them. In the movie Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World, such names as Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, and Stevie Salas are discussed as the most influential Native American musicians whose works affected many modern Americans. The main point is that not many individuals knew that all these artists had Indian origins, and they were amused to know that fact (Bainbridge and Maiorana). There was a critical expression, “be proud you are an Indian, but be careful who you tell” (Bainbridge and Maiorana). It defined the essence of indigenous presence in American culture because, despite the level of professionalism and the power of their music, most artists were at risk of being marginalized and provoked. Still, no one would forget the provocative melody of “Rumble” once it is heard, and it was the essence of Native Americans in the United States. The beauty of their words, the possibility to deliver their messages, and their freedom to talk and sing penetrated American society and left a serious step for future progress in the music industry.
American Sport and Native American Impact
Another area where Native American symbolism may be recognized but not always noticed and treated with dignity is sports. In American football, the Florida State Seminoles football team and the Kansas City Chiefs have a history of applying Indian symbols and some traditions before and during the game. Not many Native Americans supported that decision because they could not deal with controversies related to the chosen imagery. Similar situations are observed in American hockey (the Chicago Blackhawks or the Seattle Thunderbirds) and basketball (the Portland Chinooks). Americans explain their choices to honor Native Americans and demonstrate their readiness to live in an equal and fair world. At the same time, indigenous people accept this gesture as an offensive mockery of their history and traditions (Eligon). When American athletes and fans wear Indian regalia and sing their ritual songs for entertainment without even asking Native Americans’ opinions, they prove how frivolous and superficial their attitudes toward American history could be. Instead of learning about their past, white Americans easily take someone’s traditions and twist everything for their own good. Such identification seems to be no better than marginalization in modern society.
American Movies Through the Prism of Native Americans
Many movies and TV shows promote the assimilation of cultural ideas and demonstrate morally and ethically correct behaviors. Native American images are common, but their meaning and impact on citizens remain controversial. According to Nittle, there are five stereotypes of indigenous symbolism in American culture: strong and courageous men, beautiful and desired women, stoic characters, and magical healers who prefer the wilderness and reservations for living. As such, most foreigners accept indigenous people as savages who know nothing about modern technologies and use natural resources for survival. On the contrary, Washington University in St. Louis proved that about 60% of Native Americans are scientifically intelligent and live in cities (qtd. in Nittle). Pocahontas, Wind River, The Last of The Mohicans, and even the Twilight series demonstrate a clear but rather prejudiced and expected opinion about the representatives of this community. Therefore, the marginalization of indigenous people is rooted not only in history but in modern sources of information. It is hard to understand why directors who are aware of many facts about Native Americans prefer to follow the routine image and underline human-nature relationships through the prism of such characters.
American Art and Native Americans
Finally, the impact of conflict between Native Americans and the United States is depicted in modern art. Indigenous people demonstrate their respect for nature as a source of motivation, inspiration, and strength. American painters and sculptures might not even recognize how dependent they can be on Indians’ styles. In the article, Gilio-Whitaker admits that compared to white Americans, who prefer to make distinctions and categorize everything, Native Americans minimize distinctions and combine fine art and craft. This approach helps them respect painting, sculpture, pottering, beading, and other activities (Gilio-Whitaker). Besides, one should remember that such simple symbols like a circle (the cycle of life), an arrow (protection), a bear (courage and strength), or a buffalo (abundance and manifestation) came from Native Americans. They have existed since the first indigenous people learned how to share their knowledge. Even under the harshest laws and regulations, this pride and reality could not be taken from them even under the harshest laws and regulations. The value of Indian art is great, and looking at their paintings and sculptures, people will notice the burden of marginalization and pride in their eyes.
Marginalization and Representation Dilemma
Taking into consideration the offered information and personal observations, one should admit that the status of Native Americans within the US culture is ironically complex and ambiguous. Despite the intention to demonstrate their respect and recognition of the indigenous impact on society, Americans continue making mistakes and developing wrong judgments about the population. Indians, in their turn, have to live in a world where their traditions are poorly used and changed by white people. Such misunderstandings provoke the discourse of long-lasting marginalization among Native Americans and the desire to add their symbols to modern American art, sport, cinema, and music. Such identification of images and Indian history does not help establish positive relationships between Indians and the United States because there are still many facts to prove unequal and unfair treatment.
To create a solid national image, the United States has to identify all communities and people who live there. Therefore, the decision to apply Indian iconography and symbolism to American activities, services, and products was made several decades ago. Now, it is possible to see Native American faces, objects, and other elements of their lifestyle on seals, medals, food products, cars, and sports emblems (Miranda). The question is if Americans understand the true essence of these symbols on these things. Indians see that, in most cases, the desire to assimilate their culture and American styles is sincere. White people want to use the power of nature and underline the quality of indigenous people’s life. The point is that such integration should not be imposed and approved by Native Americans, which is usually neglected in modern society.
The problem of marginalization of some communities in the United States is not new. Many African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and immigrants cannot find the required level of support and understanding from native citizens. They have to protect their rights and strive for equal opportunities every day. Unfortunately, Native Americans also belong to this group of people who are roughly disregarded in many spheres of life. Many documentaries, cartoons, and movies demonstrate how indigenous people must live in specially divided areas, known as reservations, and cooperate with other communities, following various rules and obligations (“Broken Treaties”). Despite evident progress in their socialization and employment, most artworks and stories introduce Native Americans as wild people who prefer nature to technology or herbs to pharmacological interventions. Such wrong judgments and misinterpretation of Indian culture, history, and traditions explain a cultural logic that allows the United States to neglect and identify indigenous people at the same time.
Conclusion
The history of conflict between the United States and Native Americans helps realize the nature of these relationships and the application of different symbols together with the marginalization of the population. Most Americans follow the cultural logic of respecting and recognizing all traditions and beliefs of people who live in the same territory. Therefore, it is possible to see many indigenous symbols and images on American products. At the same time, many Indians face common challenges in communication and the development of honest interpersonal relationships in society. Such ambiguities never disappear even if people want to achieve justice. Journalists and researchers notice multiple misunderstandings in Indian representation within cartoons, paintings, music, and sports events. The task is not only to use images to demonstrate respect but to cooperate and learn the history from both perspectives.
Works Cited
“America’s Great Indian Nations – Full Length Documentary.”YouTube, uploaded by Questar Entertainment, 2013, Web.
Bainbridge, Catherine, and Alfonso Maiorana, directors. Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. Rezolution Pictures, 2017.
“Broken Treaties: Full Documentary.”YouTube, uploaded by OPB, 2020, Web.
Eligon, John. “Celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chop Divides.” The New York Times, Web.
Gilio-Whitaker, Dina. “How Native Americans in the Arts Are Preserving Tradition in a Changing World.” The Los Angeles Times, Web.
Miranda, Carolina A. “It’s not just Chief Wahoo. Why American Indian Images Became Potent, Cartoonish Advertising Symbols.” The Los Angeles Times, Web.
Nittle, Nadra Kareem. “5 Common Indigenous Stereotypes in Film and Television.” ThoguhtCo, Web.
Trahant, Mark. “Native American Imagery Is All Around Us, While the People Are Often Forgotten.” National Geographic, Web.
Walker, Mark. “Tribes Want Medals Awarded for Wounded Knee Massacre Rescinded.” The New York Times, Web.