PTS and Alcoholism

Until very recently, post traumatic stress was synonymous with "crazy" or "psychopath". Although it was not yet considered a legitimate disorder, it was very real. Often times soldiers would come home after experiencing traumatic events and go untreated. Most of the time they would have to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, just to temporarily chase away their nightmares. In Ceremony, Tayo very clearly suffers from severe PTS. He vomits often, which is a sign of PTS as well as his seeing the images from war in his everyday life. At this time period his inability to let go and "man up" from his trauma was written off as a lack of self control, but it was not his fault.

Accompanying untreated PTS is often alcoholism and/or drug abuse. In Tayo's case, and that of all of the Laguna vets he hangs out with, they have become slaves to the liquor. One reason is because it reminds them of the grand times they had with the other soldiers in the big city. This time in their life made them feel equal, and even superior to white people in some ways. As well as transporting them back to their glory days, it covers up what they are feeling inside, if even only temporarily. The place where feelings come from, which is described by Tayo as the belly, is what becomes "empty" when he drinks. He suffers from his inability to accept having killed people, and can't get past it. Alcohol is this escape he looks for.

Transformation

John Dunbar no doubt started out his time at the fort the same as any other U.S. soldier. He was prejudice and scared of native people. Luckily for him, however, he was given an opportunity to expand his understanding and appreciation for the rich culture that they have to offer. One difference is how he refers to them. He starts out calling them "Indians" which is a false term coined by uneducated psychopaths hundreds of years earlier. By the end he calls each of the Sioux people by their Sioux name, or simple as the "Sioux people". This understanding of the importance of names and getting to know them on a personal level is part of why he was able to assimilate himself into their community and grow to love them.

By the end of the movie, there are several changes that have been made to his appearance as well as to his heart. When confronted by the Army officer as to why he is not in uniform, he simply states that he is no longer a member of the United States Army, but he is now a Sioux named Dances With Wolves. He says this in Sioux, a language which he has made a priority to learn so he can better communicate with his friends. Throughout his transformation he does little things to become Sioux. For example, he eats the heart of the buffalo raw which is very strange to Americans, but such a key part of how the Sioux felt one with the animal they harvested. He fights with them, lives with them, and marries under their ceremonies. Although starting out as an American hero, he becomes a true Sioux hero at heart.

Native Study

Shoshone Tribe

The Shoshone people are indigenous people native to the southwest of the United States, coming primarily from what is now Nevada and Utah. Although they refer to themselves as "Newe", meaning "people", they got their name from the Shoshone word for "tall grass", due to their huts composed mostly of grass. 

They were involved in wars throughout the early United States like most of the Native American Tribes. They also suffered tragedy, such as the Bear River Massacre when settlers came onto their land. Fortunately, the site of this massacre has been given to them to keep as a holy land. Today they work with state organizations to preserve the culture and land that is rich with history from their tribe.

Sacajawea was the most famous of the Shoshone people mainly because of her role in aiding Lewis and Clark on their voyage across America. She was instrumental in the survival of the two travelers from North Dakota all the way to the pacific ocean. This trip was intended to find a river system to connect all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Later in life she gave birth to a son and a daughter. Her son grew up to live the life of a western frontiersman, and Sacajawea got herself on the one dollar coin in 2000 in honor of her impact on the exploring of the continent we live on today.

Sioux Tribe

The Sioux have had a long history of contact with settlers, starting with French fur traders and the Dakotas. The French formed an alliance to help combat the English fur traders, although they fought with the Sioux sometimes. More violent of a conflict, however, was that between the Sioux and the Pawnee, which ended with the battle of Massacre Canyon. Even after this, however, they had armed conflicts such as the Dakota Wars and the Wounded Knee Massacre. 

Today the Sioux Tribe has over 20 reservations on which most of the enrolled Sioux members live. The idea of reservations which is so common today started with railroad construction needing to hunt down the buffaloes, and the Native Americans being given an alternate living space. The Sioux that live on these reservations now depend on annual payment from the government to support themselves because of the loss they suffered with the buffalo.

Sitting Bull was and is an icon of Native American culture, not only just for the Sioux but for the entire ethnic group. He was a Holy man and a medicine man for his tribe, which he led in defiance of the oppressive United States Army. Probably his greatest legacy was the victory at the Battle Little Big Horn over Custard. Supposedly he received a revelation or premonition that they would win, and his inspirational attitude motivated his men to fight. After leading his warriors through various wars and battles, he retreats with them to Saskatchewan. After a stay there he surrenders to the United States army and is later assassinated.

Perspective

Although the movie Dances with Wolves has likely been altered to fit the public demand for a film, some of the morals ring true. The details are likely not exactly like they would have been in a real Native American culture, but the film still portrays them generally as the different tribes were known. The Pawnee were accurately shown as brutal and bloodthirsty, while the Sioux were open to learning more about Dunbar and his culture. This way of learning to communicate despite language barriers goes to show that if two people who cannot speak to each other can become friends, we should be able to accept and learn to appreciate other cultures and lifestyles than our own. The way that the film is still entertaining is important in the ability to put this message forth because it makes it more appealing to viewers.

Throughout the part of the movie we have watched so far, a great transformation has occurred in multiple characters. In the heart of Dunbar, a realization that the Sioux people are very civilized and capable of compassion happens. In the heart of the tribe members, such as Wind in His Hair, there is a change of view on whites. They used to see them as inferior and dirty, but as Dunbar interacts with them they realize that he is similar to them. He does things differently and has a much different culture, but the way he feels and can be compassionate is the same as the tribe.

The Road Thus Far

This year has so far been one of great growth in English. Reflecting back on the year, although all the writing seemed tedious while I was doing it, I have learned a lot. After not writing more than one essay during my entire junior year, I was shaky but now I think I would be able to write an essay without too much trouble for an assignment.

Specifically, I enjoyed studying the memoir, for which I read A Long Way Gone. I actually prefer the format of the assignment where we had to create an accompanying presentation, because that guides me to the arguments I used in the essay. It also provided good practice in technology, because that was the first time I had ever made a prezi. It is a much more dynamic and interesting way to present information and the skills I learned will compliment the writing skills I gained from writing the essay. Similarly, the final project, which had the presentation as well, required a deeper level of understanding. Overall I am happy with the personal progress I have undergone this semester and am excited for more growth.