Kim, there's not much sympathy for the Indians in "The
        Searchers," especially in the point of view of its principal
        character, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne).  Consider, also,
        "Red River." Indians are nothing more than murdering savages
        in this film, though they're only in the first reel. And
        you might consider "The Stalking Moon," too. Much is made of
        the Indian's strength in this film, but he is nothing more
        than a
                source of evil.  Generally, I'd say the western films
        of the 1930s and '40s paint the native Americans as subhuman.
            Ernie.