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Women's Studies

for more films on Native American Studies
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The Right to Be

Produced by Harriett Skye and Stefano Saraceni

• "Long before I heard of Christ or saw a white man .. .I knew God... Civilization has not taught me anything better." - Ohiyesa of the Santee Tribe
• "Her low key, moving documentary suceeds in inventing a visual and spoken reply to the distorted images of Native Americans." - Multicultural Review

Harriet Skye, a 61-year old Lakota woman from the Standing Rock, ND Reservation, just graduated N.Y.U. Film School. This film is about her pilgrimage back to her people. Having seen Indians misrepresented in the media, she wanted to produce honest, realistic portrayals of her tribe.

She visits United Tribes Community College where the principal, David Gipp, describes the "Spirit Program," a course where students learn about their tradition. We see the Sioux Tribal Council in session discussing the high unemployment rate which has a depressive effect on the community. Harriett was allowed to film the very private Sweat Ceremony held in her honor.

She sees how the U.S. Government dam on the Missouri River flooded prime land on the reservation and concludes: "The 'Custer mentality' is alive and well. They don't use guns anymore; they come in three-piece suits and use the law, the water. The only things that has helped us is that we hung on to our belief system. That's why we're still here today."

Native American Film & Video Festival, 1995
Sundance Film Festival, 1994
Winds and Glacier Voices Film Festival, 1994

27 min. Video or DVD. Sale $295. Video rental $55.

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