Years ago, I read this book. It's scope is huge. Now there is a movie available and of course everyone knows cinemagraphic adaptations are limited. But this HBO film about Wounded Knee is worthy of every ounce of attention you can muster for it. The actor who plays Sitting Bull, August Schellenberg, gives a performance that is stellar.
Once, when I was reading some of the 70's dialog after the shooting at Pine Ridge, a woman spokesperson, the head of some historical society, was saying that the "Soiux", as she called them, were an expansionist people,and therefore this "clash" was between two expansionist people, and the weaker one lost. Some of the insults flung at Sitting Bull, in the movie, by a white general were of this nature. That was not the history of his people and the shock and insult on Sitting Bull's face is not just acting, in my opinion. Schellenberg is a Mohawk tribal descendent, and he must have felt this insult and shock deeply in his heart, every time this line of dialog came up in the filming.
Since I am still wanting justice in this nation, I'll add this site to this post with a proviso. If you want to read about Leonard Peltier, go to the web site. If it offends you, just don't read it. It's about justice for a man who has never received it. Bush fell all over himself trying to protect Scooter Libby, but he's done nothing at all for many others who are infinitely more deserving, one of them is this man.
Common Dreams site: Leonard Peltier, forgotten like so many others.
I am part Native American, and I have a few axes to grind, from time to time.
Agreed, this our treatment of Native Americans is one of our most shameful moments as a nation.
ReplyDeleteI also recommend the autobiography of Russell Means, another AIM member.
Well, Thank you, Larjmarj. Though I do know quite a lot about Russell Means, I've not read his autobiography.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the systematic annihilation of the Native American peoples is one of the most shameful things ever committed by this nation. Just in scope, I'd have to say I think it to be THE single worst thing this nation has done. It is studied by other nations, as assiduously as the Civil War, for it's brutality.
During this that time, I was living in D.C. and was also living with an American Indian. We spent a lot of time visiting his rez and I got to know many Indians and some from AIM. All were wonderful people and all treated the "white woman" with fairness and humor.
ReplyDeleteWe are living in denial if we don't accept the fact that genocide of the American Indian was part of the plan.
Meribeth
I am looking for this DVD right now!
ReplyDeleteGet out the tissue box, PJ. It's everything you would expect it to be, as well as violent.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Meribeth, the tribal system of chiefs have a code of conduct that is superior, to this day, to anything Europeans have devised in dealing with each other or the earth itself.
zps to Meribeth: I agree. It was a systematic plan to kill as many of the "savages" as possible. I forget just which chief it was who called the white eyes, "White Savages", but he was well justified in saying it.
ReplyDelete