Archived from Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The last of We Shall Remain's five-part series, Wounded Knee, describes the 1973 occupation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Ask co-producer Julianna Brannum about the powerful film in a live chat.
Archived Chat
Welcome to the Engage Live Chat series. Today we are pleased to have Julianna Brannum, co-producer of We Shall Remains 5th installment, Wounded Knee. Thanks for joining us Julianna. Let's get started.
R.E. Brown, Potomac, MD:
What, specifically, drew you to - or brought to your attention, the need for you to take on this project?
Julianna Brannum:
While a student at the University of Oklahoma, I was majoring in Journalism-Film/TV and minoring in American Indian History. As part of the history curriculum, I read Paul Chaat Smith and Robert Warrior's book, "Like a Hurricane", which was about the American Indian Movement.
As a young person, I was just blown away with this organization and was always quite drawn to their ideology and course of action. So, when WGBH approached me about being involved in the series, they asked which of the episodes I was interested in working on. I immediately asked to be a part of "Wounded Knee".
I went in thinking I knew a lot about the story and their history, but as research began, I realized I knew very little. It is a complicated story with many, many viewpoints and events that occurred that it made it impossible to do a comprehensive story on the events surrounding Wounded Knee... especially when you only have 75 minutes to tell it.
I now feel I have a very deep understanding of the subject and also have some opinions about AIM that contradict how I felt back in college.
I am a pacifist now. I don't agree with militant and armed struggle as being the way to create change. I think the tactics employed weren't necessarily the way to go, but that it did open the eyes of America. And that was important.
As a young person, I was just blown away with this organization and was always quite drawn to their ideology and course of action. So, when WGBH approached me about being involved in the series, they asked which of the episodes I was interested in working on. I immediately asked to be a part of "Wounded Knee".
I went in thinking I knew a lot about the story and their history, but as research began, I realized I knew very little. It is a complicated story with many, many viewpoints and events that occurred that it made it impossible to do a comprehensive story on the events surrounding Wounded Knee... especially when you only have 75 minutes to tell it.
I now feel I have a very deep understanding of the subject and also have some opinions about AIM that contradict how I felt back in college.
I am a pacifist now. I don't agree with militant and armed struggle as being the way to create change. I think the tactics employed weren't necessarily the way to go, but that it did open the eyes of America. And that was important.
Jill, Wisconsin:
What other parts of Native American history would you like to make a film about?
Julianna Brannum:
Currently, I'm in production on a film about Native rights activist, LaDonna Harris. She was working in Washington during the same time that AIM was coming up and getting vocal. While she shared the same concerns and focused on the similar issues as AIM, she was working from within the White House via her US Senator husband Fred Harris. She now runs a program for emerging indigenous leaders and teaches them to incorporate their traditional indigenous values into their modern day work. She also is working to form a global indigenous coalition, which is such an interesting concept in these times of globalization. I was drawn to this project because it offers a positive take on what Native people are doing today. We are doing positive, forward-thinking things in our communities now. We still suffer the effects of our history, but we are moving forward.
Having said that, I would also like to do more films about the environmental problems on Indian land and the land trust and mineral rights issues.
Having said that, I would also like to do more films about the environmental problems on Indian land and the land trust and mineral rights issues.
Todd Hughes, LA CA:
Can you talk about the animation in the film? How did you choose to use that to illustrate the story of the "boarding schools?"
Julianna Brannum:
We had always been interested in doing some form of animation in the film, but couldn't find a segment that would call for such a need.
The director, Stanley Nelson, and I were in Pine Ridge at the Sioux Nation grocery store and in the back of the store, they had a huge library of books on Lakota history. I picked up a book that was based on old boarding school ledger art and suggested Stanley buy it for his children.
Ledger art is widely known throughout Indian Country and is a style of art that is still being used today by contemporary artists. It was created in the boarding schools and when the children would arrive, they were given colored pencils and an accounting ledger to draw on and they would often times draw scenes they had seen back at home, such as battles, family life, etc.
When I told this to Stanley, we just looked at each other and said "Yes! This is it! We should animate this!'. I thought it was a unique way of telling the boarding school experience through the eyes of the children. I am very proud of it - it's my favorite section of the film, actually.
The director, Stanley Nelson, and I were in Pine Ridge at the Sioux Nation grocery store and in the back of the store, they had a huge library of books on Lakota history. I picked up a book that was based on old boarding school ledger art and suggested Stanley buy it for his children.
Ledger art is widely known throughout Indian Country and is a style of art that is still being used today by contemporary artists. It was created in the boarding schools and when the children would arrive, they were given colored pencils and an accounting ledger to draw on and they would often times draw scenes they had seen back at home, such as battles, family life, etc.
When I told this to Stanley, we just looked at each other and said "Yes! This is it! We should animate this!'. I thought it was a unique way of telling the boarding school experience through the eyes of the children. I am very proud of it - it's my favorite section of the film, actually.
Charlie Pettus, Sunshine, Louisiana:
Do you see the potential (because of this series) for more accurate Native American history to be taught in our schools?
Julianna Brannum:
Yes, I do. I have a lot of school teacher friends that have already pre-ordered the series and have been watching the series throughout. They have been very vocal about using this series in the classroom.
I think many people were shocked at the history that my generation and previous generations have been taught in comparison to what is the truth.
This series lets the truth finally be history.
I think many people were shocked at the history that my generation and previous generations have been taught in comparison to what is the truth.
This series lets the truth finally be history.
Lauren, Tallahassee, Florida:
Do you have any advice or resources for Native students who want to have a film career?
Julianna Brannum:
I would suggest that they take whatever video camera they can find and go out and shoot. Everyone can start out on consumer cameras and editing software. Just find a story that speaks to you and go out and film!
Of course, it will definitely help if you watch a lot of documentaries and read as much as can about the craft of filmmaking, but in the meantime, just being out there and experimenting with ideas and equipment and interviews is key.
Of course, it will definitely help if you watch a lot of documentaries and read as much as can about the craft of filmmaking, but in the meantime, just being out there and experimenting with ideas and equipment and interviews is key.
Terri Holland, Key Largo, FL:
Why do Indians today deny our mixed blood heritage?
Julianna Brannum:
Good question. And I see that there are a lot of similar questions in the chat that are coming in.
I am of mixed race, myself. I am half Comanche and half Scottish/Irish. For many years, I had an identity crisis because I didn't LOOK like some of my other Indian brothers and sisters. In Comanche culture, we were constantly raiding and taking in non-Indian captives to replenish our numbers, so we have always been of mixed races.
Some Native people see this idea of being a "full blood" as being a "real indian" and I don't buy that. What that is is the culture of oppression. I see it as buying in to colonialism - we never measured our people on blood quantum! Blood quantum was conjured up by the US government.
After my many years of struggling to fit in somewhere, I finally realized that I know who I am and that is all that matters. I know who my family are. I know what Comanche values I was raised with. I am accepted by my tribe. And that's all that matters to me.
I am of mixed race, myself. I am half Comanche and half Scottish/Irish. For many years, I had an identity crisis because I didn't LOOK like some of my other Indian brothers and sisters. In Comanche culture, we were constantly raiding and taking in non-Indian captives to replenish our numbers, so we have always been of mixed races.
Some Native people see this idea of being a "full blood" as being a "real indian" and I don't buy that. What that is is the culture of oppression. I see it as buying in to colonialism - we never measured our people on blood quantum! Blood quantum was conjured up by the US government.
After my many years of struggling to fit in somewhere, I finally realized that I know who I am and that is all that matters. I know who my family are. I know what Comanche values I was raised with. I am accepted by my tribe. And that's all that matters to me.
Jay Morena, Port Jefferson Station, New York:
How come no mention of Leonard Peltier of Wounded Knee being sent to prison for life for a murder he did not commit?
Julianna Brannum:
This is a very good question and one that we struggled with for a very long time in post-production. In the end, we felt that since this film was about the siege itself, that we had better stay on point. We felt that there is just no way to do Leonard's story justice in the very limited amount of time we had to work with. I hope there is someone out there now making a comprehensive documentary on him because it is so very important that people know about this and the events that occurred after the siege.
Lesley Covington, Red Springs, N.C.:
A U.S. Congressional apology was made in 2008. What more should our gov't do to make reparations to the true natives of this country?
Julianna Brannum:
I think one of the most important things our country can do is to educate themselves on Native history and current issues we are facing.
The government can do a lot and we can DEMAND a lot, but it would take the whole nation to do this. So, our non-Native brothers and sisters need to align themselves with us and demand that the US government address treaty violations and sovereignty issues.
The US still hasn't acknowledged the UN's Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples! Once they acknowledge that, then maybe we can start taking bigger steps.
The government can do a lot and we can DEMAND a lot, but it would take the whole nation to do this. So, our non-Native brothers and sisters need to align themselves with us and demand that the US government address treaty violations and sovereignty issues.
The US still hasn't acknowledged the UN's Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples! Once they acknowledge that, then maybe we can start taking bigger steps.
Chris Stearns, Seattle, WA:
you talk about federal relocation policy leading to activism in the 70s - what do you think are its effects today?
Julianna Brannum:
Well, I suppose I think the effects today are somewhat positive because we are a part of this country's society and not nearly as segregated as we once were and because of this we have access to education, our most powerful tool. While we lost so much due to urban relocation, we have once again found our footing. We can live in a city and still be Indian. We don't have to live on the reservation (Comanches don't even have a reservation!). Our tribes are now doing language and culture revitalization programs, so I think our future generations will be even better off.
Amy B., Washington, DC:
What do you see as the most important change in the way native americans are portrayed in filmmaking over the past 80+ years?
Julianna Brannum:
With all the great up and coming Native filmmakers and writers we have today, it is so great to see that we have now gone past the stoic and brave Indian warrior. We are thankfully now being shown as who we are - diverse, multi-faceted, emotional, human beings. We have different opinions, we have totally different cultures, we laugh, we cry, we love...we are finally seeing ourselves in a humanistic way.
Darrell, Los Angeles, CA:
How has the film been received in Native American communities?
Julianna Brannum:
It has mostly been a positive response, but I have heard a couple of complaints about not having this person or that event included - all which are valid, but due to time constraints, we simply couldn't interview everyone involved and include all the many voices. My suggestion to those who wish we did something else is that they should make that film. We need more films abut these issues and stories.
Thank you for joining us today, Julianna. Viewers, if you would like to continue the chat and add your thoughts and comments, just refresh your page to visit the Archived Chat section.
Starred (*) questions have been edited by PBS editors for brevity and/or clarity. The original, unedited question can be found to the right under Audience Questions.
We Shall Remain
This was a fantastic series and I applaud the efforts of all involved. I am lucky enough to have spent time on tribal lands, to see the pride, and the hardships these folks face even today. I believe that the USA needs to make the reservations a much better place for all the people who live there still. It was a hard film to watch at times because of what was done to innocent people, it surely reminded me of Nazi Germany on many levels.
But, I am glad to have been exposed to this in such a provacative way. Thank you to all involved.
Be well
Wounded Knee film
Hi Jeff,
Do you remember what was said at the very end of the film, in writing, something about the US gov't paying the Indians 10mill. but they didn't accept it. And then there was one last sentence which I didn't get. Did you?
This was the first time I saw in detail about Wounded Knee and I was shocked and felt horrible about how the Indians were treated. It reminded me of how the Turks killed 1.5 million Armenians in the Genocide of 1915 and thereafter.
related film due for release
Later this summer, there is a film due to be released called COINTELPRO 101, which will expose the machinations of the COINTELPRO tactics, and will feature Leonard's case, along with other victims of the FBI and the US. Wounded Knee is a starting point to educate a new generation of people, and to learn from the mistakes we have made, and to build upon the successes.
THANK YOU
I WANT TO THANK JULIANNA BRANNUM WE SHALL REMAIN:WOUNDED KNEE I HAVE FAMILY FROM PINE RIDGE AND ROSEBUD BACK IN THE 1970'S WE LOST A COUSIN KILLED BY THE GOONS , AT THAT TIME I WAS IN MY EARY TEENS AND LIVING IN CALIF. , BUT LAST NIGHT WATCHING THE PROGRAM I CALLED MY DAUGHTERS AND TOLD THEM TO TURN ON THE T.V. , I TRY TO TEACH MY KIDS AND NOW GRAND KIDS ABOUT OUR FAMILY HISTORY , BUT LAST NIGHT YOUR SHOW HIT A HOME RUN THANK YOU AGAIN ..........DWAYNE
Thank you so much, Dwayne!
Thank you so much, Dwayne!
fundraising
Who are the organizations/individuals that have been the most receptive to providing grant money to fund your projects?
Wounded Knee film
I was so impressed with this film. I think the importance of what the A.I.M. organization provided for our cultures was of immense importance to learn . I was educated greatly last night by seeing the film. So thanks Julie....you did an amazing job!!!
Ignoring Leonard Peltier
May I contest ms. Brannum's point that to stay on point regarding Wounded Knee they opted to ignore Mr. Peletier and the price he's paid these 30 years for events at wounded Knee. What happened to Mr. Pelitier is precisely the point. The justice department stuck it to the Native American yet another time to teach him alesson even though they later admitted he did not commit a crime. It's so blatant a miscarriage of justice one has to be completely out of it to think it not especially pertinent to the matter of Wounded Knee and what has happened to Native Americans at the hands of White Justice over the years. The producers of this film made a serious error in deliberately failing to alert the American public to this atrocity.
re: Leonard Peltier
I also would like to first comment on the wonderful mini-series. But I do not understand why Russell Means was centered on for much of the show when Leonard Peltier was not even mentioned?? He was an avid AIM supporter and was right there with Means. HE is the one who is locked up, w/o his meds, w/o his medical care, and has been turned down many times for parole, when the FBI has basically proven that he was not the one handling the gun at the time of the shooting. If he didn't want to cooperate, I'm sure he could at least have signed papers to have his name mentioned. This would be like showing a film on Mr. Bush and never mentioning Mr. Chaney!! An American Experience was fantastic; but this was a major oversight to leave out Mr. Peltier.
Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier now has a parole date: Monday, July 27, 2009. Check out our website:www.aimwest.info
We shall reamin
I loved the show Wounded Knee. I was adopted by a white family and all my life I was told, "Why don't you pass as white?" I have black hair, black eyes and olive skin. There is no way I can pass and I have no desire to pass for white. I am proud to be Lakota. I tried to leave high school when the Wounded Knee occupation happened. My mother told me that there was no way I could leave. And that the occupation was stupid!!! I missed out on a lot of my history growing up. I am still trying to catch up. Great job on the show!!!!!
Geronimo Episode
Why was there no acting/movie part for geronimo? That Episode was the only disappointment for me.
Well done! When the series
Well done! When the series was initially advertised I called all my siblings to let them know about it and we have wtached and discussed each episode. We are African Americans and three siblings were born in McNary, AZ where we grew up on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Our mother, Lorene Denham, grew up in Mississippi on the fringe of the Choctaw Reservation and her family was African American and Choctaw. In McNary, she taught us both to love and respect not only the White Mountain Apache but their traditions as well.
My younger sister lives in Pine Top, AZ and spent her entire career as an educator in the White River School System. Dustin Craig was one of her many students and we are so proud of his contributions to this project!
My family will gather once again at Hondah in August this year to celebrate McNary Day. We will make a traditional trip to White River and to McNary, of course. We will remember with love the Apache people who helped shape our lives, we will mourn our mother who died on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and we will thank God for having had the honor of growing up surrounded by the beauty of the White Mountains at the top of the world.
Please know that my family who now live from Pine Top, Az, to Mississippi, to Michigan, to Maryland sincerely appreciate your work and offer you congratulations. In the words of my Grandma, "You did us proud!"
I enjoyed the four films of
I enjoyed the four films of your series.
They were well done.
II object to your fifth film
II object to your fifth film as it was not factual.
Your objection
In what regard do you feel that this film was not factual? My family member was there and can
tell you anything you would like to know.
Let me know if you would like to know "the truth" as you put it.
Do you allow comment on content of your films?
When films are made about current topics, often you will find one side presenting their beliefs which may not be factual. Is it your objective to seek the facts?
Wounded Knee '73 film
What research do you do on films before you allow them to be presented?
What is the criteria for truth that you required for the Wounded Knee 73 film just shown on your "We Shall Remain" series?
Truth?
What is it that you feel is non-factual? It is funny how people who don't know or understand Native American history always have something to say. You believe what you want to believe and what is told to you by "so-called history". Think about that.
wonded knee,and its people
thank you for the truth I never heard.I thought there was a lot of bad things that happened.we never heard of them.
First, my condolances to
First, my condolances to the LaMont family and friends. Also to the wife and family of " cigarettes " the two who hitched hiked from the hills of n. Carolina. What happened to the " goon squad ? " Are they still in charge of the police work ? Is the same guy Wilson ?? in charge ?, Who killed the local Sioue after the 71 days ? Did any of the local people get positions to help with the equal rights ? Thanks Huby
Thanks for allowing me to
Thanks for allowing me to send a message on this blog.
I was just a kid in the 1970's when AIM came to the PR rez. I was there when AIM left the PR rez. I've heard the stories. I know about the generational pain, suffering, injustice, done to everyone in Wounded Knee, Oglala, and in the town of Pine Ridge, as well as on the reservation.
This documentary has opened up alot of wounds.I'm still here feeling the effects of this documentary, and they are not good ones. I feels like a pot of water, for decades the water sat there, now the water is boiling ready to blow.
The AIM leaders don't live on the PR rez, so they don't know what it was like to be there past, present, and future. They don't know or care what is happening now. There was alot of things left out of the documentary, and all the facts could have fit in, if done correctly. I'm tired of these half-a documentaries that only glorify part or half of the story.
PBS needs to take responsibility of what will happen post-documentary because its no better than what happened in the 1970s.
Wopila.
we shall remain
The series was wonderfully done.It,s about time the truth was told.We are all American but also guests here we came from eastern Europe.Our forefathers took things by force but what they thought of the true NativeAmericans,was etrocious it,s about time the truth is told .We should all be held accountable for this oppresion of a spiritually strong people.Yes, Leonard Pelitier should be mentioned he is still being beaten &basic human rights are being deprived of as of January 2009 I hope Obama pardons him 30 yrs is enough.Great Spirit He shall remain! Kathleen Joseph For my ancestors
I had the privilage of
I had the great privilage of meeting Mathew King, the interpretor for Fools Crow, after the Wounded Knee seige. Noble man and his family - dignified and subjected to the terrible aftermath of, not support for the AIM struggle to relieve Pine Ridge of Wilson and bring self-sufficiency to the people, but continued dirty war tactics and disruption. They would have brought a new era to the US propped tribal council under the spiritual elders guidance.That legacy of self determination is growing well today.
The FBI tactics of informants and disinformation is so self-serving -but the Kings and other always rose above, praying in the highest mountains near Denver where they found refuge. My highest regards to them.
Carter Camp, I never met you and but everyone spoke of your inspiring leadership.
Walking in the sacred way. I will never forget.
Baby bedding
Give please. Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. Help me! Please help find sites for: Anti acidity anti herpes general health antibiotics anti allergic asthma blood pressure healthy bones men health anti fungus.. I found only this - prednisone affects. Malani impex inc, home page handicrafts-ready made garments - rug and mats are anti skid anti allergic with no hygienic loss. But all anti allergy medicines will become. With respect :mad:, Fisseha from Papua.
Cherokee freedmen
Thank you for the gripping story of the "trail of tears". I was disappointed in the lack of depth concerning the plight of the Cherokee freedmen. It only rose to the level of a momentary mention in your documentary. I have been exposed to information that tells me that over 90% of African Americans have Cherokee blood within them. Most blacks have an oral history of family members who were Cherokee within their families. I am troubled that we are not educated about the Cherokee freedmen, and the other slaves belonging to the five civilized tribes. I bring this up not out of anger, but out of a loyalty to the truth. Im working on the Cherokee Freedmen documentary!
leonard Peltier
AIM requests all hands at the press conference for Leonard Peltier to launch letter writing campaign for his parole date is now set for Monday, July 27, 2009! His first in 15 years! check out website:
www.aimwest.info
out.
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