Powwow Highway
From NativeWiki
Powwow Highway is a 1989 film based on the novel written by David Seals. It stars A Martinez, Gary Farmer, Wes Studi, Joannelle Nadine Romero, Amanda Wyss, Maria Antoinette Rogers, and Graham Greene. The movie is something of a Native American Comedy.
[edit] Plot
Buddy Red Bow (Martinez) is struggling, in the face of persecution, by greedy developers and political in-fighting, to keep his nation on a Montana Cheyenne Reservation financially solvent and independent. Philbert, a more naive friend of Buddy's, ardently pursues Native American/First Nation wisdom and lore wherever he can find it--even on Bonanza--in order to earn his warrior name. He's even got his war pony, Protector: a beat-up old wreck of a car. Buddy's sister has been arrested in Santa Fe, and together Buddy and Philbert set off on a road trip to look after her kids and go bail her out. However, Bonnie's arrest has something strange about it as her friend Rabbit points out. As the miles roll by, Philbert's faith challenges Buddy's hard-edged view of the world (and occasional bout of reckless violence), and together they face the realities and dreams of being Cheyenne in the modern-day US as they fight to free Bonnie and her children and elude the Feds.
[edit] Response
Powwow Highway can be purchased as a DVD. It is considered a must own classic amongst most Native Americans. It is Native American affair, through and through, with the exception of former beatle George Harrison distributor the movie through his Anchor Bay Entertainment.
The film is considered to be a highly relevant and important portrayal of modern day Native American's struggle to live within this society.
