Post by Okwes on Jul 26, 2006 9:32:37 GMT -5
New documentary examines dwindling Indian land holdings
By JODI RAVE
Missoulian
billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/23/news/state/60-documentary\
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A new documentary focuses on the loss of tribal lands through 120 years
of federal policy and how the land loss affects American Indians today.
The 78-minute film, "American Indian Homelands: Matters of Truth, Honor
and Dignity Immemorial," is narrated by ABC newsman Sam Donaldson.
The film was viewed by American Indians and non-Indians before its
release, drawing mixed reaction.
"The Indian focus groups that we showed it to absolutely loved it and
thought every Indian should see it," said Cris Stainbrook, president of
the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Little Canada, Minn. "They thought
it should be longer. "The non-Indian groups got a lot out of it.
But their first question every time was, 'Is this for real? Are these
really facts behind this?' It's hard for people to understand how you
can have an 80-acre piece of ground with thousands of owners."
The film helps answer questions about the difficulties of economic
development on tribal lands held in trust by the Department of the
Interior.
"All you have to do is look at the structure of Indian land ownership on
reservations and you get a real quick hit on why it's so difficult,"
Stainbrook said.
"American Indian Homelands" reports a two-part story, effectively
recounting the recent history of Indian lands. The film reveals the
voices of those affected by the land loss and of those trying to clean
up messy land deals that linger today.
In June 1996, Elouise Cobell, a banker from the Blackfeet Nation of
Montana, filed the largest class-action suit ever brought against the
federal government. She sued the interior department on behalf of
500,000 landowners who didn't receive just compensation for leases and
mineral royalties earned on their holdings.
"American Indian Homelands" helps clarify some myths. A lot of people,
Stainbrook said, have a "longstanding belief that every Indian gets a
government check."
"Well, that was their money coming back to them from the Department of
the Treasury for land leases," he added.
The Cobell lawsuit has its roots in the Dawes Act of 1867, a federal
land policy that broke up tribal land masses by creating individual
landowners. Ultimately, the act led to the loss of 137 million acres of
tribal land by 1934.
The Burke Act is also included among the acts of Congress that
devastated tribal land holdings. The act was intended to protect land
holdings for 25 years after land was allotted to individuals. But the
act was more effective in taxing Indian land and taking it away. Often,
the land was secretly taxed. Indians would find out they had an
unprotected land title, which was then seized for taxes.
The "Homelands" film explores how the Dawes and Burke acts have led to
problems associated with such terms as trust status and undivided
interests.
"All those pieces that are so foreign to non-Indians," Stainbrook said.
"When they see this stuff, a lot of people think you're not telling the
truth."
In June, the film's writer and director, Barry ZeVan, received an
international Telly Award, a coveted prize among production companies
for outstanding documentary-making.
"Homelands" has aired in metropolitan markets, such as Minneapolis, and
airtime dates have been scheduled in San Francisco and Albuquerque, N.M.
A contract has been signed to nationally distribute the video to retail
outlets around the country. The film is also becoming a part of
curriculum and reference libraries, including at the University of
Minnesota, Dartmouth College and Ball State University in Indiana.
"Everybody who cares anything about American history, not just Native
American history, has got to see this film," ZeVan said. "It will open a
lot of people's eyes and let people realize all these Machiavellian
actions that have been taken against Native Americans."
Others interviewed in the film reflect similar thoughts.
"It's probably the saddest chapter in our long history, and the
exploitation of Native Americans continues today," said Sen. John
McCain, R-Ariz.
Tom Daschle, a former Democratic senator from South Dakota, said: "Our
treatment of Native Americans is a national tragedy. Unfortunately, it's
not a tragedy with an end. A lot of that tragedy continues today. It's a
tragedy that has meant embarrassment to this country, but far more
importantly, a painful experience for Americans who deserve better."
Added Tim Coulter, director of the Indian Law Resource Center in Helena:
"The federal government can take Indian land at will without
compensation. The United States can't do that to anyone else except
Indians."
Jodi Rave covers American Indian issues. Contact her at
jodi.rave@lee.net <mailto:jodi.rave@lee.net> or 406-523-5299.
By JODI RAVE
Missoulian
billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/23/news/state/60-documentary\
.txt
<http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/23/news/state/60-documentar\
y.txt>
A new documentary focuses on the loss of tribal lands through 120 years
of federal policy and how the land loss affects American Indians today.
The 78-minute film, "American Indian Homelands: Matters of Truth, Honor
and Dignity Immemorial," is narrated by ABC newsman Sam Donaldson.
The film was viewed by American Indians and non-Indians before its
release, drawing mixed reaction.
"The Indian focus groups that we showed it to absolutely loved it and
thought every Indian should see it," said Cris Stainbrook, president of
the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Little Canada, Minn. "They thought
it should be longer. "The non-Indian groups got a lot out of it.
But their first question every time was, 'Is this for real? Are these
really facts behind this?' It's hard for people to understand how you
can have an 80-acre piece of ground with thousands of owners."
The film helps answer questions about the difficulties of economic
development on tribal lands held in trust by the Department of the
Interior.
"All you have to do is look at the structure of Indian land ownership on
reservations and you get a real quick hit on why it's so difficult,"
Stainbrook said.
"American Indian Homelands" reports a two-part story, effectively
recounting the recent history of Indian lands. The film reveals the
voices of those affected by the land loss and of those trying to clean
up messy land deals that linger today.
In June 1996, Elouise Cobell, a banker from the Blackfeet Nation of
Montana, filed the largest class-action suit ever brought against the
federal government. She sued the interior department on behalf of
500,000 landowners who didn't receive just compensation for leases and
mineral royalties earned on their holdings.
"American Indian Homelands" helps clarify some myths. A lot of people,
Stainbrook said, have a "longstanding belief that every Indian gets a
government check."
"Well, that was their money coming back to them from the Department of
the Treasury for land leases," he added.
The Cobell lawsuit has its roots in the Dawes Act of 1867, a federal
land policy that broke up tribal land masses by creating individual
landowners. Ultimately, the act led to the loss of 137 million acres of
tribal land by 1934.
The Burke Act is also included among the acts of Congress that
devastated tribal land holdings. The act was intended to protect land
holdings for 25 years after land was allotted to individuals. But the
act was more effective in taxing Indian land and taking it away. Often,
the land was secretly taxed. Indians would find out they had an
unprotected land title, which was then seized for taxes.
The "Homelands" film explores how the Dawes and Burke acts have led to
problems associated with such terms as trust status and undivided
interests.
"All those pieces that are so foreign to non-Indians," Stainbrook said.
"When they see this stuff, a lot of people think you're not telling the
truth."
In June, the film's writer and director, Barry ZeVan, received an
international Telly Award, a coveted prize among production companies
for outstanding documentary-making.
"Homelands" has aired in metropolitan markets, such as Minneapolis, and
airtime dates have been scheduled in San Francisco and Albuquerque, N.M.
A contract has been signed to nationally distribute the video to retail
outlets around the country. The film is also becoming a part of
curriculum and reference libraries, including at the University of
Minnesota, Dartmouth College and Ball State University in Indiana.
"Everybody who cares anything about American history, not just Native
American history, has got to see this film," ZeVan said. "It will open a
lot of people's eyes and let people realize all these Machiavellian
actions that have been taken against Native Americans."
Others interviewed in the film reflect similar thoughts.
"It's probably the saddest chapter in our long history, and the
exploitation of Native Americans continues today," said Sen. John
McCain, R-Ariz.
Tom Daschle, a former Democratic senator from South Dakota, said: "Our
treatment of Native Americans is a national tragedy. Unfortunately, it's
not a tragedy with an end. A lot of that tragedy continues today. It's a
tragedy that has meant embarrassment to this country, but far more
importantly, a painful experience for Americans who deserve better."
Added Tim Coulter, director of the Indian Law Resource Center in Helena:
"The federal government can take Indian land at will without
compensation. The United States can't do that to anyone else except
Indians."
Jodi Rave covers American Indian issues. Contact her at
jodi.rave@lee.net <mailto:jodi.rave@lee.net> or 406-523-5299.