The concept of integration describes the process of connecting different components within a single structure. Based on this, previously separate parts function as one whole organism. However, in this situation, it is important to emphasize that integration leaves room for the identity of the parts that make up the whole. The components of the structure are not absorbed by a larger context, but rather coexist supporting and complementing each other. This is an important difference between integration and absorption, when small parts dissolve in a large structure, losing all their distinctive characteristics.
This concept is particularly relevant to Native Americans whose identity was integrated into the new American culture after the arrival of Europeans on the continent. The process of integration of Native Americans was marked by the transformation of their traditional way of life and the adoption of features of European culture. However, even in modern society, the ethnic groups of Native Americans do not lose their identity. They function as equals within the larger American society, but retain their own characteristics. Moreover, the diverse groups that make up contemporary American society recognize Native American identity. They managed to preserve some of the features of the traditional Indian community while actively adopting the new American culture for their needs. Several Canadian and American films actively illustrate aspects of the integration of Native Americans into the new American culture from various perspectives.
Dances with wolves has portrayed integration through the transformation of Comanche warriors and their traditional perception. Upon receiving the news of an impending attack from the Pawnee warriors, they follow Dunbar’s lead and strategy to defeat the enemy (Costner, 1990). The Comanche initially used bows and arrows to fight; however, they began using rifles, a part of western culture. Additionally, Wind in His Hair admires Dunbar and wants to learn more from him. He aspires to be like Dunbar and thus befriends him (Costner, 1990). This shows integration since Wind in His Hair begins to copy some of the things that Dunbar does even though they are of a foreign culture. He integrated some useful features to transform his traditional view of the world. These aspects show integration as a helpful advancement rather than losing one’s own identity.
The Vanishing American has also portrayed Indigenous Americans’ cultural assimilation into Western culture. It has a similar idea to the previous movie and shows integration through awareness of the need for change. The film tells about the life of the Navajo tribe on the reservation after the arrival of the Europeans and their participation in the First World War (Seitz, 1925). Native Americans, even after the advent of the new American culture, hoped to preserve their traditional lifestyles. However, gradually they came to the realization that this was not possible. Integration in this film is illustrated through the adaptation of Native Americans to new living conditions. At first they were dissatisfied with the violation of the traditional way, but later they were able to adapt to the changes that came. Nophaie, who died at the end of the film, illustrates old traditions that, due to integration into a new culture, can no longer exist.
The Exiles exhibits the integration of the Native Americans into new American culture in the city. The plot of the movie tells about a group of Native American people who moved to Los Angeles from the reservation (MacKenzie, 1961). Gradually, characters who have not previously interacted with civilization at this level are completely surrendered to it. In particular, they are immersed in the atmosphere of parties in Los Angeles, which were previously inaccessible to them. The film illustrates integration from a more negative perspective. Native Americans tend to try those aspects of the new American culture that can lead to personality corruption. Thus, Native Americans who have moved to the city may be lost in the new world without coping with its temptations. Integration in this case can lead to loss of identity and complete dissolution in a larger context.
The movie Smoke signals gives a new perspective on the concept of integration emphasizing that it is possible while maintaining the identity of individual parts. The main characters of the film, Thomas and Victor, share common features, but perceive them differently (Eyre, 1998). For example, Thomas is an adherent of the more traditional Native American culture, while Victor is actively involved in absorbing the new American culture. Over the course of the film, both young people exchange views on life and on their identity, taking something from each other. This process gives them mixed feelings, but gradually they come to a better understanding of their own and others’ identity. This film shows that integration is possible through the acceptance of the existence of other perspectives and the preservation of one’s own characteristics.
The Canadian movie Atanarjuat: The fast runner also offers a new perspective on the concept of integration. This film is a retelling of an ancient legend of the Inuit people, which has been passed down orally for centuries (Kunuk, 2001). The plot tells about Atanarjuat, who, because of his marriage with two wives, deserves the hatred of the son of the leader of the tribe. At the end of the convoys, his brother is killed, and the character himself is forced to flee. This film illustrates integration not through content, but through the form itself. The Fast Runner is a Canadian film that was a huge hit both nationally and internationally. The Toronto International Film Festival even named Atanarjuat the greatest Canadian film of all time. Thus, the traditional Inuit culture was integrated into the exclusively Western art form and became its hit. Integration in this case can occur through the recognition of the significance of the minority culture within the larger context.
The concept of integration is of key importance in modern society, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining the identity of individual groups within a larger context. Native Americans are an example of how an ethnic group was able to maintain its traditional features while adopting the experience of a new culture for its survival and development. Modern society needs to actively work to ensure that other ethnic and racial minorities can preserve the features of traditional culture that are important to them. This is especially necessary at the present time, when globalization leads to an ever greater diversity of cultural and ethnic composition in all parts of the world. The representative of each culture must be able to preserve and maintain their values ​​and manifest their own identity by interacting with other parts of the whole. Integration should be the main concept that characterizes modern communities, where none of the ethnic groups is absorbed into the culture of the majority.
References
Costner, K. (Director). (1990). Dances with wolves [Film]. Tig Productions.
Eyre, C. (Director). (1998). Smoke signals [Film]. Miramax.
Kunuk, Z. (Director). (2001). Atanarjuat: The fast runner [Film]. Odeon Films.
MacKenzie, K. (Director). (1961). The Exiles [Film]. Contemporary Films.
Seitz, G. B. (Director). (1925). The Vanishing American [Film]. Paramount Pictures.