<썬더하트>: 1970년대 인디언 보호구역에서의 담론들

Abstract

The film Thunderheart deals with the conflicts between Native American nationalism and anti-nationalism on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, in the 1970s. Those who stick to the former insist on maintaining Native American’s traditions, such as sweat lodge, powwow, and their old ways of life to regenerate their dying culture, while those who believe in the latter argue that Native Americans should be more active in adjusting to the mainstream American culture. The two groups are represented by Aboriginal Rights Movement(ARM) and Guardians of the Oglala Nation(GOONS) respectively. ARM agrees with the statement: “Never forget: America was not settled. It was conquered.” By taking such political gestures, it has been militant, radical, and aggressive. GOONS, however, has suggested to bring American democracy and capitalism into their reservations to modernize their third world-like community. While the two parties have been in conflict for the past decades, their towns have been degenerated into poverty, hopelessness, and endless violence. What should be the best ways to save the Native Americans on reservations? I analyze both positive and negative arguments in the two sides. And, I finally agree with Raymond Levoi, a mixed- blood FBI agent, who goes public to awaken the long lasting issues between Native Americans and white Americans as well as Indian nationalists and anti-nationalists.