"You're Not the Indian I Had in Mind"

I found a lot of similarities to other stories we have read regarding the idea of identity in this story. The indian man struggles with his own understanding of his heritage and balancing that with an outsiders view of the "typical indian". He admits to having conformed to that image growing longer hair and wearing a fringed pouch, but he is well aware of the fact that a majority of indians, including himself, do not conform to this almost constructed image. This somewhat reminded me of the reading containing the recipes written in the language of the stereotypical black woman in the kitchen. This image was meant to appeal to the outsider, and variation was uncomfortable and somewhat unacceptable. The narrator is aware of the fact that conforming to this image makes it almost easier for him to be accepted into society and social standards. I found it interesting that the man moved across the world to New Zealand and Australia, and there, he faced another uphill conflict of defining his identity against that of the stereotypical indian from India and further the image of "cowboys and indians." Admitedly, I know very little, besides major historical context, when it comes to Native American culture, and I recognize that I have often fallen into these sterotypes, but I am very interested in learning more about the differing cultures, their traditions, and their integration into today's society.