Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans has long been intertwined with American politics and government policies, influencing national attitudes toward Indigenous peoples of North America. From the silent film era through the height of Cowboy and Indian Westerns, Hollywood shaped a narrow and damaging image of Native people. These films often depicted Native Americans as ignorant, lazy, violent, alcoholics, or savages, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Such portrayals helped justify and support racist government policies including land dispossession, forced assimilation, cultural erasure, and even genocide.
This racist foundation in the media was built on earlier political propaganda that framed Native Americans as obstacles to progress and civilization. Hollywood used humor and familiar storytelling to entertain audiences while dehumanizing Indigenous people and upholding white supremacy. The stereotypes created in these early films perpetuated racist propaganda from colonization, solidifying a negative public opinion and masked the harsh realities of U.S. policies against Native nations. Understanding this history is essential for students to recognize how the media can reinforce racism and shape social attitudes over time.
This lesson invites students to critically analyze the power of film as a cultural force and to explore the importance of accurate and respectful representation of Native Americans in the media today. Through examining the origins of racist portrayals and their connections to political propaganda, students will learn to identify the damage caused by such misrepresentations. They will also have the opportunity to research authentic Native stories and consider how these narratives could be shared in ways that promote social justice and cultural respect.
