Silent no more!
Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women
The epidemic of MMIW traces its roots back to 1492.
American Colonialism Defined:
The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers and then exploiting it economically or worse...
The prominence of assaults on a group’s culture as an essential element of colonialism is called "cultural genocide."
READ:
Bridging the Gaps in Global Communication:
Chapter 5 Non Verbal Interaction: Action, Sound & Silence
Refer to your Film text regarding narrative tactics and amplifying a message via the camera--not necessarily via the script.
Mise en Scene is the broad term for what tactics a director or cinematographer uses. So be specific re the actual tactic.
WATCH: "Women of the White Buffalo" (2022)
QUESTIONS:
Q1. Choose one scene for each of the three listed narrative tactics used in this film to amplify this doc-film (include time:stamps) & include very brief descriptions:
a. Action
b. Sound/Music/Nature/Singing/Laughing/Words on screen. . .
c. Complete Silence (no sound)
Q2. What ONE fact from this film was new to you? (Your POV briefly explained.)
Q3. Find a 2022-2025 credible media story about one of the issues indigenous people face in another country. Do not forget to provide a credible media story link (hrs:mins) & briefly explain.
FOLLOW THE RULES BE UNIQUE & DIG DEEP
DUE: Feb 16 by midnight (50 pts)
18 comments:
Caroline Lipscomb
Q1.
a. Powerful action is shown when a group of Native peoples hold a peaceful protest using multiple parts of their culture with flags, dress, and language (01:02:40).
b. The sound of singing is so true and original, unlike anything else, showing the raw beauty of this culture. It is especially attention-catching because many of us (including me) had never really heard this kind of song before (00:03:27 and 00:44:02 and more).
c. We see the camera scan over old photos of Native Americans’ original diet of buffalo, junk food now offered in stores, and their community garden they’ve had to gather from. We’re able to see how we as Americans changed this people’s life- and that is just in one area (00:52:30).
Q2. I never knew how persistent our nation’s leaders were in trying to remove all evidence of the Native American culture. Beginning its explanation around 00:06:25 but becoming a common theme throughout the film, we see boarding schools such as Carlyle, separation of children from their parents, and the violence inflicted on children in these schools. The strength and beauty of these people was practically forced to dissipate.
Q3. A gift of land and honor given to the indigenous Paraguayan people, could be taken away permanently. Strongman Higinio Morínigo, former president of Paraguay had gifted the people this honor for their help in the Chaco War against Bolivia.
Their sacred land was a gift for their courage. Yet Maká people in Paraguay fight for its ownership
1.
a. 0:16:09-0:16:42: The documentary featured a video of a mass lynching of natives, and a scene panning over pictures of natives. I feel like this added so much more emotion to this scene, because you realize that it wasn’t just something from the past, and that this wasn’t that long ago. It just adds a connection between the audience and the native people.
b. 0:23:33-0:24:20- During this scene a woman talks about how her sister went to call the police in order to stop her dad from beating his mom, and that by the time she came back, her sister's feet were back and purple. This was due to running far through snow. The filmmakers added silent sobbing to the panning of an area that looked similar to the area her sister had run across. It brought the situation to life.
c. 1:23:00- We learn that a lot of the tribe’s seniors passed from covid, and that there is a lot of risk of native culture dying out. I think this was important to keep silent due to its seriousness.
2. 0:20:11-0:28:30- In this scene we learn about how much abuse, drug, and violence there is on the reserve. It caught me really off guard that they have a meth problem in the reserve. They go on to talk about how it was something introduced by colonizers.
3. A 2024 Mongabay investigation revealed that the Keo Seima REDD+ project in Cambodia, intended to protect forests and support Indigenous communities, led to land disputes and hardship for Indigenous groups due to blocked land ownership and inadequate protection of customary lands.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/02/indigenous-challenges-displacement-climate-change/
1.
A) in 32:45-34:05 A group of Native American women participate in a traditional ceremony, with the camera following their ritualistic movements. The scene highlights their strength, unity, and spiritual connection to their heritage, emphasizing resilience through their actions.
B) 15:00-16:30 A traditional Native American song is sung with soft drumming, while wind and nature sounds create a sacred atmosphere. Words on screen provide context, deepening the emotional impact and highlighting the song's cultural significance.
C) During 48:20-50:00 After a deeply emotional interview, the complete silence intensifies the rawness of the moment, allowing the viewer to focus on the woman's expression and the gravity of her words, conveying solemnity and reflection.
2. A new fact for me was the sacred significance of the white buffalo in Native American culture, symbolizing strength, renewal, and hope. It was powerful to see how it relates to the resilience of Native American women in the film.
3. A recent People magazine article discusses the controversy surrounding Buffy Sainte-Marie, who was stripped of her Order of Canada honors after it was revealed she falsely claimed Indigenous heritage. Despite her long-standing assertions of being Cree, a 2023 report uncovered that she was actually born Beverly Jean Santamaria in Massachusetts. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Indigenous communities face regarding cultural appropriation and the importance of authentic representation in public life. https://people.com/oscar-winning-singer-buffy-sainte-marie-stripped-of-order-of-canada-honor-after-indigenous-heritage-scandal-8788704?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Cody Menzies
1A: (00:23:54) TO combat abuse from her father hitting her mother a nine year old girl travels one mile through snow barefoot to call the police which results in her losing both of her feet to frostbite.
1B: (00:11:21) Statistics come across the screen to inform the viewer that 60% of high school kids attend while college but students on the reservation have only a 16% college enrollment rate.
1C: (01:08:21) After learning the suicide rate has increased by 150% there is a moment of silence with just a still picture of a beautiful flower to let the moment really sink in.
2: I knew of drugs on the reservations from other movies, but I had no idea the poverty rate leads the nation .
3. Over 20,000 people lose their homes as the city Indonesia builds a new capital.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/like-we-dont-exist-indigenous-fear-indonesia-new-capital-plan
Q1.
a. (30:25-30:31) Julie Richards uses the method of publicly shaming those who have been involved in dealing meth in the community like the Lakota used to do when someone in the tribe did something that brought harm or shame to them. Richards has been threatened and her home has been vandalized because she is taking this public.
b.(16:21) The text says that since the arrival of Columbus in the 21st century the Indigenous population has lost 90% of their people letting us process just how many people have been lost and cultures have been destroyed.
c. (9:15-9:18) Kids would run away and try to go back home to ask who had died after having their hair cut. There are a few seconds of silence which just shows a child joyfully running with their long hair, instead of with fear and their hair cut, in a way amplifying what was taken from these children and what could have been.
Q2. (41:14-41:32) I never knew why there was never a lot of action taken towards non-natives who have committed crimes against Native Americans in the Reservations, but now I know it’s because tribes who have sovereignty are not able to press charges against non-natives since they don’t have jurisdiction over them.
Q3. The Yaqui tribe of northwestern Mexico is facing a threat to not only their food production but also to their culture with the Yaqui river drying up because of drought and a dam system created by the Mexican government; they are losing a source of drinkable water and a decrease in plants, like the alamo and the giant reed, that are used to make their homes. They are not able to celebrate the festival of San Juan Bautista because there has been a decline of the “four mirror butterflies” whose cocoons they make into musical instruments and use as part of their ritual dance and other ceremonies.
HTTPS://NEWS.MONGABAY.COM/2024/07/LOSS-OF-WATER-MEANS-LOSS-OF-CULTURE-FOR-MEXICOS-INDIGENOUS-YAQUI/
Q1.
a. (1:15:52-1:16:56) When Delacina Chief Eagle was dancing with hoops
b. Words on the screen: “Between the time Columbus arrived in 1492 and the beginning of the 21st century, the population of over 80 million Native Americans was reduced by 90%.
c. (31:00) Sign reads “RIP to the Victims of METH Violence”
Q2. I was shocked by the lack of food on the reservations. Junk food is cheaper than healthy food, and what is available is not the best.
Q3. “Removing babies is still harming First Nations families, almost two decades after the apology to Stolen Generations” This article is about the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Australia’s Indigenous people) children from their families. These removals are often without support before or after, cause relationship issues, and harmful judgments and stereotypes.
https://theconversation.com/removing-babies-is-still-harming-first-nations-families-almost-two-decades-after-the-apology-to-stolen-generations-249353
Jayden Thompson
Q1)
A) Action was taken by simply just talking about the #RedDressProject in Canada which helped the students realize about other stories. This alone, helped the stories of others come to light. (39:26)
B) (1:00:00) There are words on the screen describing an experiment done to two groups of rats that were all pre-addicted to morphine. This experiment goes to show the rats choosing to willingly go through withdraws to be within their rat community. This is compared to our generation isolating ourselves willingly unless we feel needed or fulfilled.
C) (1:13:38) There was a moment of silence after a beautiful speech on how her parents raised her to always move forward because she is the only one who can do it for herself and her generation. I think this moment of silence was necessary for how deep and raw her speech was.
Q2) The fact that it is literally illegal for them to have their own well but their water causes boils and sores on anyone who swims in the infectious water.
Q3) This news article covers how indigenous people are facing a climate crisis which is altering their lands. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/climate-crisis-alters-their-lands-indigenous-peoples-turn-courts
Women of the White Buffalo
Q1
a. Starting at 1:15:56 the scene where the narrator is dancing with the hoops and explaining the meaning and purpose behind the dance.
b. 1:21:45 The dancing scene at the end of the movie, it was a very moving, triumphant scene I thought.
c. Any of these scenes where they gave statistic like at 45:48 where you find out that “Operation Ladt Justice” was established on Nov 26, 2019.
Q2. The fact that native American woman were 10 times more likely to be murdered then the “average” American.
Q3. In New Zealand the “Treaty Principles Bill” is up for vote which many people are saying undermines the rights of the Māori people who make up 20% of the total population. They say it narrows the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi signed in 1840 between the British crown and the Māori Chiefs.
https://search.app/VBpWL3tikdJTfDRi6
Q1.Action (30:30) The woman acts by publicly shaming meth dealers and doing night patrols to protect the community. She even picks up kids as young as 3-5 years old, showing her determination to create a safer environment. This proactive approach highlights her commitment to making a real change and standing up against the dangers affecting her community.
Sound/Music/Nature/Singing/Laughing/Words on screen(27:59) At 27:59, the girl talks about how meth numbs her emotions, while sorrowful music plays as she rides horses. The music intensifies when she says, "I felt invincible," highlighting the contrast between her outward strength and inner pain. The horses symbolize a fleeting sense of control, while the music emphasizes the emptiness behind it. This combination deepens the emotional impact, connecting viewers to her struggle and how others might use substances to escape their feelings.
Complete Silence (24:00) The woman recounts the story of her sister running away to call the cops, but her feet are black from the cold. As she speaks, the sound fades away, and the scene transitions to a shot of snow, creating a feeling of profound silence and stillness. This complete silence is used to let the emotional weight of the story linger with the audience. The snow imagery further amplifies the sense of cold isolation and the trauma that she went thru as a young child.
Q2. What I found interesting is when the police officer mentions that the majority of calls they receive are related to intoxicated people and alcohol not being allowed in the area. This highlights the challenges faced by the community in maintaining safety and the disproportionate impact of substance abuse in Indigenous populations. It also made me realize how limiting resources and restrictions can sometimes worsen these problems, leaving many in vulnerable situations without adequate support.
Q3. Sugarcane" investigates the harrowing experiences within Canadian Indigenous residential schools, focusing on institutions like St. Joseph's Mission. The documentary sheds light on infanticide and other abuses that occurred, emphasizing the long-lasting trauma inflicted on Indigenous communities. Its release has reignited discussions on the importance of acknowledging this dark chapter in history and addressing its enduring effects.
https://apnews.com/article/sugarcane-oscars-2025-1fc557a45786652590b8513d0eece136
Q1.
A. (19:28) The seriousness of the woman’s face in this shot communicates the severity and seriousness of the drug problem that plagues the reservation.
B. (38:33) The mournful sound of women singing accompanied with a red dress hanging on a fence line tell the sad story of a woman who went missing.
C. (21:24) A quick moment of silence happens when a mural on a wall with the text “follow the dreams of your ancestors” is shown. This shot highlights the need for positivity within the reservation.
Q2. One fact that stood out to me was the killing of the buffalo. It was interesting to learn how the army eradicated the buffalo to eliminate the vital food supply of the indigenous population to force them to submit.
Q3. The Bedouin, who are in the West Bank, are experiencing the destruction of resources and land confiscation to make way for Israeli settlements.
https://iwgia.org/en/palestine/5142-iw-2023-palestine.html
Q1: A. A powerful action seen 7:45 was watching the women clean and be stripped of there culture at the women’s school. They were no longer able to be who they were and were forced away from the family that they knew.
B. In the beginning the clicking of what sounds like windchime like items and then bringing in the women singing shows how these stories are told not only through words but through music and sound.
C. 32:00 The scene where a mother and I believe her son hold up a sign about the effects of meth and how she has to protest Infront of the leaders building to be noticed. By having no sound allows for you to fully absorb the image and what that means.
Q2: 19: 37 I did not know drugs were so prevalent that young children in kindergarten knew about harsh drugs. That there families were in what was considered a drug and alcohol infested area. These issues keep them in poverty and makes it difficult to get out.
Q3: Indigenous people are facing issues with climate change and being forced to relocate due to a variety of issues. They are also having issues with losing there culture and history. As the world changes indigenous people are losing small bits of themselves. Devastating rights violations against Indigenous people must end | UN News
Q1.
a- At (01:15) an adult woman dances with a little girl, passing down cultural traditions. They spread their shawls while facing the open land, symbolizing a connection to heritage and nature. This movement highlights cultural preservation and resilience.
b- At (01:10) a song plays with lyrics saying, “Some tears may fall, but we know we will see you again when it is our time to fly.” This music symbolizes loss and the hope of reunion in the afterlife. The melody and words add emotional depth, reinforcing themes of grief, remembrance, and spiritual connection.
c- At (00:42) complete silence occurs as the screen focuses on a computer displaying a news article about the FBI finding a missing Indigenous woman’s body. The lack of sound intensifies the gravity of the moment, highlighting the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Q2. At (01:07) a statistic reveals that the suicide rate for Indigenous teenagers is 150% higher than the U.S. national average. I was unaware of the severity of the mental health crisis in Indigenous communities. However, it makes sense after seeing the mistreatment and systemic failures they have faced. The forced removal of children to boarding schools, erasing their traditions, has contributed to a deep personal and generational crisis.
Q3. At (00:03) the video discusses how Indigenous groups in Brazil are being attacked as their land is taken from them. Despite constitutional protections against logging and deforestation, these activities continue. This highlights the ongoing struggle for land rights and the failure of the government to enforce environmental and human rights protections.
https://youtu.be/J5Zduf8A-ok?feature=shared
Author: Jaylen Galvan
Q1.
a.) This action scene tells the story of a 9-year-old girl who had to have her feet amputated from running away. The long scene displays a feeling of cold desperation with a shot of the snow-covered ground as the camera slowly pans up and covers the distance that the little girl ran. (23:50)
b.) One scene in the sequence uses a tribal sounding instrumental along with a shallow shot of a Lakota mother with her baby and dancing Lakota members blurred in the background to create a feeling of an isolated culture that's being forgotten. (12:15)
c.) This silent informational scene displays an unsettling fact that reads, "One study found that Native-American women in certain tribal communities are 10x more likely to be murdered than the average American citizen.” (38:10)
Q2. One fact that shocked me with how fast their culture is disappearing said, "In 2006, there were 20,000 fluent Lakota speakers. 10 years later only 2,000 speak the language.” (18:50)
Q3. This video talks about how the overrepresentation of incarcerated indigenous people in Canada has increased for both men and women. The incarceration rate went from 32% in 2015 to 50% in 2022. (1:12) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvygrcFYMoc
Q1.
A. Action: 20:00 Talks about a personal experience of being raised by her grandma and having to raise at least 20 of them in one household. This is related and can be relevant to the fact that alcoholism like she said has taken over many people because they keep having that mentality that if they stay drunk they can get through. Which is also a big issue because it does not help people to stay motivated and spiritually awake to at least get out of poverty, which was a manipulation technique for the settlers to keep them from growing and moving forward with their beliefs.
B. Sound/Music/Nature/Singing/Laughing/Words: 29:00 The scene silently changes into cop cars outside with trees in the background and a slightly fainting crow cawing that might resemble the deaths, losses, and tragedy right before it talks about " ... new genocide is putting each other in jail using that white man system ... "
C. Complete Silence (no sound): 38:09 A quick moment of silence starts when the scene changes into looking in a computer of women protesting. The woman leading is wearing all red covered up with a fist in the air.
Q2. One fact that I learned was that Native American women are the most likely to be murdered more than the average Americans.
Q3. This article shows when Palestinian families were protesting and trying to make their voice heard against Israel trying to force them out of their homes and being discriminated against them. Most of them still face segregation as well.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/
Q1:
A.) 00:30:11
Horses running around freely then one of the women talks about how natives used to be a free people.
B.) 00:09:19-00:09:29
Music begins to play and sets the mood because one of the narrators just talked about children dying trying to escape boarding schools while returning home.
C.) 00:16:22-00:16:25
Complete silence when sharing the fact that between the time that Christopher Columbus landed in America and the beginning of the 21st century, the population of 80 million Native Americans decreased by 90%.
Q2: 00:08:33-00:09:04
I learned how significant one's hair was to the Natives and how colonizers would cut their hair off of the children which led them to believe a relative had died because that's what it means in their culture.
Q3: This article discusses that women and girls in the UN are facing incredibly high rates of violence against them.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/06/end-violence-against-indigenous-women-and-girls-un-expert
Q1.
a. (01:16:01) Action- A Lakota woman hoop dancing with traditional clothing.
b. (01:20:25) Nature- A close-up shot of Crazy Horse Memorial Monument at Black Hills, Custer County, South Dekota
c. (00:17:25) No sound shot of outside Lakota native’s home.
Q2. What ONE fact from this film was new to you? I never knew the number of the population of Native Americans after Columbus arrive. I knew that a lot of Natives died but putting a number to it hits differently. It is very sad to read that the population of over 80 million Native Americans was reduced by 90%.
Q3. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy78ejg71exo
The Chagossian community has expressed criticism over their exclusion from negotiations regarding the UK’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. While some welcomed the deal, others feel betrayed, due to their lack of involvements in talks with the government.
Good. Watch GSP errors and please, actual credible media links with news media examples. All have been graded and posted at this posting.
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