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Alike to most history of the US that has been taught on the development of the United States becoming a nation, the representation of Native American people in films and media are often demonized, seen as an enemy source, or completely ignored altogether regarding problems with settlement and attacks on their reserves. For example, in many films which include some aspect of native culture, or lack there of in regards to research on the subject, the trope of the Native Americans are often focused only on spiritual tropes which are turned into monstrous ideals in horror films, or killed off in historical films as 'the dying peoples' such as the recent adaptation of The Lone Ranger. This moment shows how the native peoples are ignored of their humanity, again pushed aside as done in history lessons within both entertainment and news media. Lack of native writings as both historical scripts and current day publishing are also a sign of lack of representation due to the continued prejudice that has lasted from American society, but can teach a great deal about the truth of history and lessons known to the natives that people are beginning to realize today. For example, the Black Elk Speaks by Nicholas Black Elf and John G. Neihardt speaks of a dance that both perform which was only done in order to learn of the people, but one person will come again later on to dance with again for more than just a lesson on the peopl. This notion can speak to the American public as an inclusion exercise of experiencing a culture that was in the Americas long before the United States was even a concept, and for their representation as real people to be on the rise in all forms of media.

There is a Canadian First Nations electronic music group called A Tribe Called Red, who incorporate native music, dancing and imagery during their performances. At their concerts they project stereotypical images of natives from mainstream media on the wall behind them.In this way, as natives, they challenge the way they are represented. Seeing these talented, modern artists who are native juxtaposed against racist, archaic imagery of their people really highlighted to me how deeply perpetrated these stereotypes are in the American subconscious. The clips used in the projection were countless, many showing Indians as violent, running off screaming into battle, or dancing in a gimmicky way during a tribe ritual. Having these images thrown back at the audience was a way of casting off a prescribed identity, imposed on natives by a dominating culture. A Tribe Called Red participates in a tradition of resistance to stereotypes beginning with the colonization of America, with prominent participators such as Sarah Winnemucca and Zitkala Sa.