We shall remain America through native eyes

We Shall Remain recounts the history of American Indian resistance over four centuries through pivotal moments and profiles, e.g., of Massasoit, Tecumseh, John Ross, Geronimo, and the Indian leaders of the 1973 revolt at Wounded Knee. Actor Benjamin Bratt, a longtime supporter of Indian causes, serves as off-camera narrator. Sadly, there is almost no period visual material for the first three parts of the series, so reenactments must suffice, but these are not consistently as successful as the news footage and pictorial history available for later episodes. Nevertheless, a powerful achievement; the start of better understanding of a crucial part of American history. We Are Still Here chronicles an effort by Katherine Siva Saubel and the -Cahuilla Indians of Southern California to preserve the culture, history, and traditions of the Cahuilla, presented through in-depth interviews with elder Saubel and her brother Alvino Siva. The film also portrays the Creation mythology of the Cahuilla, performed by a Native American cast, which is well done and sustains viewer interest. There are a lot of important ideas and traditions illuminated here, but the program tends to drag a bit. This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the council's statewide California Stories Initiative. American Outrage, originally released as Our Land, Our Life, is the story of feisty Western Shoshone sisters Carrie and Mary Dann and the small Nevada ranch where they run livestock on part of the 60 million acres recognized as Western Shoshone land in the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. In a suit that began in 1974, they are being prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Land Management, which now claims that the grazing is degrading the environment and has conducted roundups in which hundreds of horses and cattle have been airlifted by helicopter, leaving many injured and dead. In reality, gold has been discovered in the area, and several million acres are being strip mined. Mary Dann died in 2005, but the struggle and the lawsuit continue. Winner of many awards, this moving testimonial is essential viewing. Extras include a short film and a photo gallery. All three films will be appreciated by history buffs, students of Native American history, and general viewers.-Margaret B. Miller, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 7 Up-A multifaceted look at Native ingenuity and perseverance over the course of more than three centuries is presented in five 90-minute episodes. Beginning with the arrival of the Pilgrims and highlighting events and leaders through the 1973 Wounded Knee debacle, the series depicts the Native perspective without apology. The bulk of the creative talent includes Native actors and directors, musicians, historians, and consultants. The series is exemplary for its strong biographical sketches propelling American Indian history forward with more credibility than conventional generic accounts. The series does fail to mention the matriarchy society that dominated many Native communities, By presenting the patriarchs only, the program missed a critical aspect of tribal life. Superb cinematography features aerial footage of tribal regions, reenactments, and composite still photography. Dates and contemporaneous events in these episodes are often omitted, but the power of Native realities stripped and stolen by a government and its agents carry the chronology. This series is not intended as a comprehensive overview, but instead it offers an in-depth look at five aspects of American Indian history spanning more than 350 years and involving well-defined leaders and their impact on the people they represented. Teacher materials on the first disc will help steer students into a mature understanding of Indians and their relationship with the European Americans whose insatiable thirst for land drove Natives from their homes. Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series, scenes from the Native Now project, and more. The series is a unique resource to help viewers understand Native/European-American relations and is sure to generate exciting discussions among students.-Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, Fort Washakie, WY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.