Lenny Giardino
Reflection Paper for Smoke Signals




1492 and the story is still true

Culture, Betrayal, sense of loss

Whether by gun, cannon, or alcohol


My connection to the story is personal. I taught in Oregon and had many Nez Perce students who knew nothing about their history. A movie such as smoke signals has wide appeal, however what saddens me is that Native Americans may not understand their own history due to the American Educational system.
A personal experience I had in the classroom was from two Nez Perce students who at age 16, knew nothing about their cultural background. I assigned them a book on the Nez Perce war. Emotionally, a book that provides both history and bigotry backgrounds of American History in a telling way.
Next, I asked the students to travel to Eastern Oregon and see Chief Joseph’s grave. (Chief Joseph was a central part of the book) What I didn’t let them know is that Native American’s have desecrated his grave for years. They came back confused, and actually thought whites desecrated the grave. I let them know the Nez Perce desecrate the grave because a famous Army Captain/Missionary, Captain Spalding moved Chief Joseph to this site from the reservation he died in. Next, I explained that Chief Joseph renounced his name because it was a Christian name given to him by the U.S. army. (His real name is (Nimiputimt). Finally, I explained that the grave site was not chosen by the Nez Perce, but the U.S. Army and they wanted him buried on sacred ground in the Wallowa Mountains.
Smoke Signals brought out the wrongs of American History by asking “Who is your favorite Indian Basketball Player?” A metaphor for Indian life.

“Treat all men alike”
give them all the same law
give them all an even chance
to live and grow
Chief Joseph

(Food for thought from the 19th Century that resonates in the 21st Century)