“Our first introduction to an Indian presence reinforces our traditional stereotyped view. Panoramic views suddenly cut to a clear index - a skull and an arrow - the menace is unmistakable - the savage Indian is lurking somewhere. A cut to a close-up of Dunbar reinforces our fears. His expression displays agreement with our conclusion. The Indian is a killer and sinister music compounds our fears. Costner has now 'set up' his audience which has been well tutored by Hollywood to expect 'the savage'” (Gray).

John Dunbar’s first encounter with Indians was when a Sioux Indian rode through Fort Sedgewick. The Sioux tried to steal Cisco from Dunbar at least three times. As the weeks progressed, Dunbar’s friendship with the Sioux blossomed. He made an effort to try to get to know them. He traded with them and introduced them to new things. Groups from the Lakota tribe came to the fort and they try to communicate, they share food, and they invite the Lieutenant to their village. When a herd of buffalo stampede past the fort, Dunbar rode to tell the Sioux, who then in turn packed up their camp and followed the buffalo. They allowed the Lieutenant to hunt with them and offered him the heart of a buffalo, which was an honor. This event causes many viewers to reassess their assumptions about Native Americans. We come to realize that the Indians are not savages. They are not the cruel, heartless people we thought they were. We are forced to accept the significance of the Indians.

As Dunbar arrived at the fort and found it empty, it just hei

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