Black Cloud (2004)

While I was watching another movie called Black Cloud (2004), I once more noticed the issue that was also present in the previous movie (Smoke Signals, 1998), namely, a strong dislike for White people that American Indians are likely to have. I cannot say for sure that this attitude is present among Native Americans for real, as I am still in search of some scholarly materials that will shed a light on this matter. However, I would like to show the reason why I am concerned about those relations between American Indians and White people.

Black Cloud is a story about a young Native American boxer, an eponymous Black Cloud, who grew up in domestic violence, but constantly trying to come to terms with his family and his heritage. One day, after boxing match, a young man is being offered an Olympic tryout in Las Vegas by an Olympic Scout named Norm Olsen. That is where the Native Americans' dislike for White people is shown for the first time in the movie.

This is the dialogue between Black Cloud and Olsen after he presented his offer to the boy:

Black Cloud: Aw, forget it. l ain't interested.

Olsen: Well, why's that?

Black Cloud: Because it's lies. It always is.

Olsen: l'm sorry. l'm not following you.

Black Cloud: And why should l fight for your nation... when all you've done is murder and imprison my people, huh?

This scene shows clearly that Black Cloud is reluctant to accept the offer only because of his prejudices towards White people and he is brooding over what they did to Native Americans in the past. In the end, he accepts the offer but raises a point that he will do it only for a Navajo nation.

The issue of unwillingness towards White people is also noticeable in Black Cloud's reaction on finding out that his blood is diluted – in his certificate of an Indian blood, there is written that his great grandfather came from Germany.

When talking with his girlfriend on this matter:

Sammy: Are you gonna be OK?

Black Cloud: I'm gonna be fine.

Sammy: It doesn't matter to me, Black Cloud.

Black Cloud: lt matters to me. (…) lf you don't want to be with me, I'll understand.

He obviously thinks that it is shameful to be of mixed blood.

Next day, when Black Cloud is looking for the keys, he tells his father that he knows about White Wolf (the German great grandfather whose real name was Hans Schroeder) and claims that his family is cursed.

I was alarmed to discover the strong dislike for White People in the movie, that is why I decided to raise this point and search for some materials to find out whether it is true.

Native Americans History and Culture

Lately, I have discovered a very short video on Native American History and Culture. I came to a conclusion that some historical facts are well worth mentioning as far as they would be helpful in portraying American Indians' tradition and culture, which is my primary aim.

In accordance with some scientists' researches, Native Americans are descendants of some hunters from Asia, who once crossed the land bridge between Russia and Alaska. As they arrived, they adapted to living in different parts of American Continent. That was the time, when various unique cultures were created. Here, I must explain the fact, that Native Americans ARE NOT one nation, as one may consider, but they are rather numerous, distinct tribes.

American Indians who settled the area of Great Plains, were known for hunting Buffalo, whereas main activity of tribes like Haida and Quileute ( indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast) was fishing. Their chief preoccupation was cutting cedar trees, a good material for houses, canoes or ceremonial totems. This information helps glimpse that various tribes, had their unique, distinctive cultures and traditions.

Things changed with the arrival of White people. Several diseases brought by them caused immeasurable decrease of Native Americans population. Europeans immediately started to expropriate the land inhabited by Indians. Some tribes, began to fight for their territory, others preferred to work with White people to reach an understanding. The result of both operations was the same. They were soon forced by the US government to leave the land and live on the reservations. However, Native Americans never stood idle and fought for their rights over the centuries.

It is worth noticing that there are more than 550 federally recognized tribes in United States today. They still live on the reservations and their ultimate aim is to improve conditions prevailing there. What is more, Native Americans constantly strive for preserving their languages, religions and cultural identities by organizing some traditional ceremonies, blending some ancient ways into modern life or reviving their traditional art forms.

Health Problems on an Indian Reservations

Drawing on the same article, I would like to present some information about health problems on Indian Reservations.

Indian Health Service is responsible for providing medical and public health services to members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Natives. It is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The truth is that about 55 % of Indians rely on IHS, however, in accordance with the article, only 60% of their health needs are encountered in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

There is a wide gap in adequate and preventative health care on Indian reservations because of the crisis that touched Indian Health Service due to lack of funding. Moreover, the presence of such diseases like diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis or even cancer are common between Native Americans being a result of switching to the West lifestyle.

Statistics(according to this article):

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American Indians (2003, Center for Disease Control).

• Due to the link between heart disease, diabetes, poverty, and quality of nutrition and health care, 36% of Natives with heart disease will die before age 65 compared to 15% of Caucasians (2001, HHS Office of Minority Health).
• American Indians are 177% more likely to die from diabetes (2011, Indian Health Disparities).
• 500% are more likely to die from tuberculosis (2011, Indian Health Disparities).
• 82% are more likely to die from suicide (2011, Indian Health Disparities).
• Cancer rates and disparities related to cancer treatment are higher than for other Americans (2005, Native People for Cancer Control).
• Infant death rates are 60% higher than for Caucasians (2001, HHS Office of Minority Health)

All in all, it seems that health problems are vast on Indian reservations. Additionally, the issue of potential health risk increases because of the lack of utilities, especially in rural and remote areas suffering from the lack of accessible healthcare.