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A Seat At The Drum: Film Analysis

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How does one identify themselves as Native American in an urban environment? What is tribal identity? Does it have to do with blood quantum? Or do you have to be an enrolled member? Is one still considered a Native American if they intermarry with another race? Can religion be factor in tribal identity? The film, A Seat at the Drum, follows the journey of journalist Mark Anthony Rolo of the Bad River Ojibwe. He makes his journey to Los Angeles to learn about the Native American who relocated from their reservations to cities in the latter half of the 20th Century. He first makes his stop at Sherman Boarding School then to The film depicts hundreds of families being relocated to cities. Relocation is another form assimilation. The beginning …show more content…

Rolo shared a story about his relationship with Jesus. He had no connection with Ojibwa culture. He grew up Catholic. He mother was religious. It was not until Rolo met a woman from Germany. She came to the US to meet ‘real Indians.’ She asked if she could touch his face once he admitted he was Indian. He had realization that he may look indian but he did not feel like it. That was when he began his journey in finding his Ojibwa identity. Being ‘Native’ and ‘Christian’ are sometimes seen at both end of a spectrum. It’s one of the most challenging issue among Native Americans. For five hundred years, Native Americans endured colonial power which resulted in separation between those who are traditionalist and progressives as Rolo stated,” Indians have deep spiritual traditions so it should come as no surprise that even as Christian missionaries were participating in the cultural genocide of the tribes, individual Indian families were drawn to the faith and Christianity has been a very effective tool of assimilation in the cities.” The idea of blood quantum came into existence when applying to become a member to tribal nation. Some believe that you must full blooded to be called a Native American. Many tribal members have mixed feelings about lineal descent. This being if there are not enough tribal members, the federal government will withdraw its funding or federal recognition. This creates multitude of problems. How can blood quantum become

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In the article “Ancestry in a drop of Blood” by Karen Kaplan points out factors that relate to individuals with Indian descents. Marilyn Vann, who is an engineer from Oklahoma city was rejected by tribal officials who arguably claimed that Vann is black, not Indian. On the other hand, Marilyn Vann indicates that she has credible evidence from her birth certificates, tribal enrollment cards, land deeds, affidavits, yellowing photographs that document her family 's life within the tribe. After being rejected by tribe officials, Vann turned to DNA testing, which is a technology that is agitating Indian tribes all around the United States. From California to Connecticut, tribes and potential tribe members are dealing with the development of technology

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I often wonder how people can believe that if your beliefs are different then you are wrong and they are right, because they think they know better. That shows again how the whites came here and because the Indians didn’t practice their religion they had not religion and were heathens. Although, Indians practiced their own spirituality and believed in Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Great Spirit. Which to me was much more pure and innocent then all the rules that the Christian religion has with a greater chance for

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The Jesuit missionary expresses admiration for the Hurons' profound sense of love and union, evident in their marriages, presents, feasts, and remarkable hospitality toward strangers. He praises their belief in the corporeal immortality of the soul, emphasizing its centrality to their religion. Despite these commendable elements, the narrative takes a critical turn as De Brebeuf highlights the more contentious facets of Huron practices. Their lascivious behavior, gluttony, and superstitions, especially their reliance on dreams, draw disapproval. The Hurons' resistance to embracing the Christian concept of one God becomes a focal point of tension, showcasing the clash between indigenous beliefs and the Jesuit missionaries' efforts to introduce Christianity.

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