There has been considerable discussion about the merits of Dances
with Wolves in previous postings. But I think the debates about the
accuracy or representativeness of the movie obscure the most
significant point - that the history of Indian issues is finally being
taken seriously enough that a major mainstream movie could actually be
produced which achieved simultaneously some degree of balance and success.
Artistically, DWW was no tour-de-force; surely it contained plenty of
bleeding heart liberal sentimentality. But it was decently made by a
well-intending director and achieved widespread acceptance among the
white mainstream public.
It seems to me in the best interests of Indians everywhere to ignore
the failings of the movie and concentrate on the awareness and
interest generated in the public from the movie. This kind of interest
is often very fleeting, so it behooves those interested in native
american concerns to promote it as a gateway into the real issues.
I realize that native americans have their own agendas, but for me as
a white middle class american I see these issues falling into (as a
gross simplification, at least) three categories: providing for basic
needs, permitting sufficient autonomy, and developing an appreciation
for alternative cultures to the degree that we non-native americans
will be willing to admit that certain aspects of native life past or
present (e.g., the man-nature spiritual relationship which appeals to
me greatly) have much to offer us at a time of grave spiritual and
environmental crisis.
I know that many euro-americans are like me in being most interested
in the last issue. Certainly it is the most difficult to achieve but
I don't believe the first two issues can ever be resolved to the
satisfaction of native peoples in america (or anywhere) without a
major change in mindset of the american (western world) public at large.
Much has been written about environmental groups trying to co-opt
indian issues, and while that may be the motive of some
environmentalists, there are others like myself that see many models
in past functioning indian cultures. I know this leaves us open to
the criticism of romanticism, but I firmly believe the western world
approach is doomed, while I have little evidence to suggest that many of
the north american indian cultures were unsustainable (perhaps this is
due to my ignorance of the weaknesses of these cultures).
I have to admit a prejudice, i have no special interest in the indians
of today who are uninterested in their own histories, who are more
interested in acculturation or grabbing their fair share of the
(north) american pie. Thus the hang-up in the Lubicon struggle over
the monetary compensation disappoints me, for it supports the notion
that land can be given a monetary value and therefore entered into the
capitalistic worldview.
I know in these desperate times compromise is the rational road to
take, but i believe there is a greater vision to work for, which
includes all of us and which is in desperate need of the insights
shared by cultures around the world that were able to live in balance
and harmony.