Memorable Native American Characters in Movies

It’s Monday, I’m back at work, and I’m still sort of full from Thanksgiving.  At least there are days off coming up in December.  Anyway, I wanted to do a somewhat Thanksgiving-related post for today, so I decided that Native American Characters in movies was relevant enough.

At less than 2% of the United States population, it’d be tough to argue that Native Americans are underrepresented in film and television.  Not that history hasn’t given them a raw enough deal as it is.  But the Native Americans in this article are characters, not actors (even though many of them are played by Native Americans or actors with Native American heritage).  Keep reading for memorable Native American Characters in Movies.

Chief Bromden – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Jack Nicholson talks about working with Will Sampson, the actor who played Chief Bromden.  The scene is on of my favorites in the movie.  I’m pretty sure that’s goaltending on the Chief, though.

Uncas and Chingachgook – The Last of the Mohicans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyVXBbdFo-M

If you haven’t seen Michael Mann’s version of this story, you absolutely should.  In the meantime, try to enjoy this fight scene from the BBC mini-series version.  It’s…painful.

Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, and the Sioux Camp – Dances with Wolves

Dunbar comes up huge during this epic buffalo hunt scene, endearing himself to Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, and the rest of the Sioux camp.

Jose Chavez y Chavez – Young Guns, Young Guns II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_nUNBWEoh8

Jose Chavez y Chavez (what an awesome name) was an outlaw of Mexican-American and Native American heritage.  The Native-American side was especially played up in Young Guns II, what with all the talk of the Spirit Horse.  Someone out there is such a huge Chavez (and Lou Diamond Phillips, it seems) fan that he created the above tribute video.

Also, can you think of Young Guns II and not think of “Blaze of Glory?”

Indian Chief – Blazing Saddles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVtGqnjrgs

Mel Brooks plays a Yiddish-speaking Indian Chief in one of the all-time great comedies.

Little Bear – The Indian in the Cupboard

Little Bear was played by Native-American rapper Litefoot.  Yes, rapper.  I included the above scene because it has got to be every kid’s dream to have his toys square off against one another in real life.  Plus, Darth Vader versus a T-Rex?  Nice.  My only complaint is that Ram-Man was left out of the fun.

Pocahontas –  The New World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9u69bRcK0M

Pocahontas is about as memorable a Native-American as you will find.  Everyone (I think) learned in elementary school about how she threw herself in front of John Smith to save his life.  Many historians, though, have stated that the story is dubious.

Billy – Predator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPmCB9WA9iM

“There’s something out there waiting for us…and it ain’t no man.”  Sonny Landham, who played Billy, wasn’t the only Native-American actor in Predator.  Richard John Chaves, who played Poncho, is as well.

Warren Red Cloud – Natural Born Killers

The snake parable scene really stands out in Natural Born Killers, and it’s a shame that Warren Red Cloud meets his early demise at the hands of Mickey.  At least Mickey felt bad afterward.

Amazing Larry – Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

Alright, so Amazing Larry is just some schmuck and not really Native-American, but how can I not include him?