In the TV series Reservation Dogs, there is a scene where the main characters, a group of Indigenous teenagers living in Oklahoma, are shown a video of an owl attacking a dog. In the scene, the characters are visibly disturbed by the video and look away from the screen. This moment is significant for a number of reasons, and has been the subject of much analysis and discussion.
One of the key reasons why the characters look away from the owl is because the owl is considered a sacred animal in many Indigenous cultures, including those of the characters in the show. In many Indigenous belief systems, the owl is seen as a powerful and important spiritual symbol, representing wisdom, intuition, and the ability to see beyond the surface of things. It is often associated with healing, protection, and guidance, and is considered a messenger between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Given the significance of the owl in Indigenous cultures, the scene in Reservation Dogs can be read as a moment of cultural conflict and trauma. The characters are forced to watch a video of an owl behaving in a violent and aggressive way, which goes against their cultural beliefs and values. This can be seen as a form of cultural erasure, where Indigenous ways of understanding the world are dismissed or ridiculed in mainstream culture.
Another reason why the characters look away from the owl is because of the context in which the video is shown. The scene takes place in a non-Indigenous school, where the characters are shown the video as part of a class on animal behavior. The teacher, who is non-Indigenous, shows the video as a way of teaching the students about animal behavior and survival strategies. However, the characters are not given any context or explanation about the video, and are left to interpret it on their own.
This lack of context and explanation can be seen as a form of cultural insensitivity or ignorance, where non-Indigenous people fail to understand or appreciate the cultural significance of certain animals or symbols. The characters’ reaction to the video can be read as a response to this lack of understanding, and as a way of asserting their own cultural identity and knowledge.
Finally, the scene in Reservation Dogs can be seen as a commentary on the representation of Indigenous cultures in mainstream media. Historically, Indigenous cultures have been depicted in ways that are stereotypical, inaccurate, or insensitive. The scene in Reservation Dogs can be seen as a way of subverting these stereotypes and presenting Indigenous culture on its own terms. By showing the characters’ reaction to the owl video, the show highlights the complexity and richness of Indigenous belief systems, and challenges mainstream assumptions about what is important or significant.
In conclusion, the scene in Reservation Dogs where the characters look away from the owl can be read as a moment of cultural conflict and trauma, where Indigenous ways of understanding the world are dismissed or ridiculed in mainstream culture. It can also be seen as a commentary on the representation of Indigenous cultures in media, and as a way of challenging mainstream assumptions about what is important or significant. Ultimately, the scene is a powerful and complex moment that reflects the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people to assert their cultural identity and to be recognized and respected by non-Indigenous society.