Smoke signals is a unique movie that is directed by, written by and star Native Americans. Smoke Signals captures the power of media to advertise their own culture of present day Native Americans. Smoke Signals is a story built on morals about making peace with personal history, and keeping alive the oral tradition. This film brings the awareness, to the dominant society, of how Native Americans have been seen onscreen and treated throughout history.
             The two staring roles of this movie are the portrayal of Thomas and Victor. Their journey together begins when they are babies, however it is when Victor's alcoholic father dies that the two leave their reservation for the first time crossing over into the contested cultural zone of the dominant society in order to collect Arnold's (Victor's father) ashes and bring them back home to the reservation. The role of Victor highlights an emotional journey of personal history. Victor is able to come to that place of peace and shed his self- image when he embraces his own cultural heritage and traditions. The role of Thomas clearly represents the strength of oral tradition, which is woven throughout this movie and Native American history.
             Oral tradition is used immediately in the movie and the audience can hear native chants and the sacred drum that represents the heart beat in the background.The first story told is about the 4th of July party that was held in "honor" of independence. This "honor" is fraudulent and for many Native Americans marks the point of no return in U.S history. It was at this party Arnold in drunk and mistakenly ignites a house fire that kills Thomas's parents. He does go back into the house to save his son Victor; and Thomas is thrown from the second story window whom luckily fly's to safety. He tells Thomas's grandmother that he is sorry, although she does not realize nor does anyone know his secret of actually starti...