Lesson Eight

Smoke Signals
Outcomes addressed:
Analyze materials for bias and stereotypes and replace these with accurate information.
Determine the complexity of identity for people in general, and for Aboriginal people in particular.


Instructions:
Before watching the movie, Smoke Signals, read the questions below. Answer the questions during and/ or after the movie.

Personal Response:
1) This film repeatedly uses humor to comment on stereotypes about Indians. Identify some of the humorous scenes in the
film. Why might a Native audience find them funny?





2) What does being an Indian mean to Victor and Thomas? (Recall especially their conversation on the bus when Victor
ridicules Thomas for watching Dances with Wolves so many times). Where do you think that Victor has gotten his ideas
about how an Indian should act?








3) How does Victor and Thomas identity change over the course of the film? Give examples to explain your response.