he film seems to be telling the viewer that the Indians are vanishing mostly due to the fact that, in history, the dominant race has controlled, and if the minority would not assimilate, they would lead themselves to annihilation. Of course, it is not quite that black and white; Seitz has been credited with being very sympathetic to the Indians, showing quite blatantly in the film that, indeed, the Indians were being victimized and repressed. The Indians (specifically the lead, Nophiae, played by white actor, Richard Dix) are shown more as a noble, but confused race. Nophiae is a character who is a "keenly intelligent man, caught with one foot planted in the traditions of his people, and the other caught amid early modern American culture," (Riley 58). He is a virtuous man, but quickly realizes that the powers who are attempting to aid the cause of the Navajo are not strong enough; that historical progress is not in favor of their people or their traditions, and possibly even more distressing, the American way is likely even less favorabl
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