Reflection - Reel Injun

           When I was watching the film Reel Injun, I started to realize that Aboriginal People have to deal with many stereotypes that are usually not true. The media – exclusively the entertainment industry – is making numerous films, TV shows etc. which feature First Nations Peoples. The only problem is that most of the Aboriginal People that are portrayed in these films or shows are inaccurately portrayed. In the documentary, the “Indians” were mostly played by white actors that were caked with makeup and were dressed in feathers, headbands, and other “tribal” clothing that First Nations people don’t actually wear all the time if at all.

            From Reel Injun, I learned the truth behind these stereotypes and also how Aboriginal People really look like. I also liked how the filmmaker used clips from movies featuring Native Americans to enhance the film and also inform people how the film industry depict Aboriginal culture. What I believe also increased the quality of the documentary was the use of raw footage. The scene in the film where Sacheen Littlefeather accepted an Oscar for Marlon Brando at the 45^th Academy Awards in 1973 was a scene that showed First Nations people in a good light.

             To wrap things up, Reel Injun was a very well made film and I learned a number of things from it.