Reflection on Powwow Highway & Native American Stories of the Sacred Essay

Reflection on Powwow Highway & Native American Stories of the Sacred - Essay Example "But they can be your friends and grandchildren. Your main purpose is to give plenty of light". He is repeatedly asked by all other heavenly creatures that represent parents, friends and relatives, who provide us warmth and light as old man tells them "I have now told all of you the best ways to guide yourselves and what you can do to help the people of the world. You must always remember that these children of the human race are my children!". In this story there is lesson for parents that as adults they have special responsibility, which is to take care of the children, but not with a tendency of owing them and forcing, which often results in rebellion and consistent disappointments. And another occasion the Cherokee says that "Treat every person, from the tiniest child to the eldest elder, with respect at all times" which is an essential thing desperately needed in modern times. Gambling today is inherent part of Western culture, but it has been seen as an alternative to war in Indian culture. Similarly these stories are drawn from the diverse Indian tribes across North American retells the Tribal Indian traditions in a simpler way, stories such as Son of the light, who goes on quest to rescue his wife, and the Muskrat's self sacrifice emphasise the sense of sacrifice for other people, even if he has to pay the price, so that other being can live in peace and happiness; and the White Buffalo profound gift of the scared pipe to his people, all illuminates the essential elements of tribal cultural life and their wisdom in these beliefs. It is through such tales that essential lessons of life can be learned, which affirms the belief that we are not separate, but an essential part of the natural world. THE POWWOW HIGHWAY The Powwow Highway is not only a movie, but it is rather a meditation, the way Tribal American Indians understand land in terms of space rather than time. For Indians going from one place to another is not a trip in miles or km, but rather a journey from one land to another. The movie provides the reason, why two Indians are going on the journey. The main plot of the movie involves a Buddy, who cannot see native land be confiscated due to a lame excuse, even though his sister is thrown into jail, yet he is persistent to take her out even, though its ploy to take him out of the controversy. It also shows, the Americans Indian beliefs and practices are essential for their spiritual growth. Despite being living in an advanced age, still old tribal bonds are strong even though for an outsider these Indian traditions and norms often look strange, they keeps Native Americans intact. The movie enlightens the viewer that the culture values and traditions of native people are more than crafts and carvings, but it Indian culture has solid foundation. The arrival of Europeans marked a major change in Native American society, millions died due to sickness, slavery and extermination. The Europeans missionaries looked upon Native Spirituality as worthless superstition inspired by the devil, while many survivors were forcibly converted to Christianity on the pretext of white man's burden. However, nothing could change their cultural values as the movie shows, how Natives Americans respect the land, nature and their concept of family responsibilities, concern for the environment and willingness to share - all of these values together. It