Tell us what you think.
Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly.
4/8/03
Sima
NJ
I am from Tuvalu which is a tiny island in the South Pacific.I am currently staying in New Jersey. My dad and I both saw the film and I have to say it was a great and interesting film. The Chiefs are the greatest basketball team,not only did they win consecutive games but they also maintained their pride and strength in their culture. It is very inspire ring to young people especially young minorities and it also teaches people from other cultures like myself to learn more about Native American cultures. Thank you.
4/7/03
Hi, name is Paul and I'm 17 years old. I watched the Independent Lens
show a few nights ago on PBS and I loved it. I was so intrigued. I just
noticed it was a show about high school basketball, with students who smoked
pot, and I was so happy to watch it. Even though I had school the next day,
I stayed up until it was over at 11:30pm. That is about all I can think of
for now, but keep up the good work with the show Independent Lens. It was so
original. Thanks!
4/7/03
Clair Husby
Columbus, Nebraska
The conditions on the Reservation were well documented and I think the filmaker seemed to stayed with the positives as much as possible.
I was really impressed with the two coaches Al Redman and Owen St Clair. Coach St Clair came across in a very positive manner and very articulate and a real role model for the young men on the team.
Also Coach St Clair, using his network of college coaches, worked so hard to find scholarships for the young men. Connecting with Chadron State, was probably as awarding to the coach as it was to the student-athlete.
Individuals like Coach St. Clair returning to reservation as role models gives hope to improvement of condidtions on the Reservation without sacrificing traditional culture. Economic development on the reservation is about the only option that has not been tried to any extend and its time is due. Any future effort needs to be controlled by tribal councils and a good fit for the work force of the Reservation. A sense of hope will do wonders for the future.
The US Government has been such a failure with trying to bring the Native Americans in to the greater society. (I.e. Indian Boarding schools.) Its no wonder that the clip showing the teacher lecturing on treaties was included. The future generations of Native Americans need to be educated on this issue and they should continue to argue their rights under these treaties. Knowing their rights and how they were often robbed by broken treaties, is a step towards self esteem. White American should be constantly reminded of the past and our broken treaties and this a important step towards reconciliation. We need to do our part to help our Indian brothers and sisters still on the Reservation.
I still see hope though. The young going off to college and becoming sucessful, will be a big key to the future and solving problems.
4/7/03
Craig Albert
Tanana, Alaska
What I think that makes a successful basketball team is that you have to be in shape, have to know everybody on the team like your brother, and play very well with each other. I think the chiefs are a good team because they play together so well and no each other so good, and they have players that are unstopable with other players in your guys league. I mean, I'm like that to but I have a lot of players like me to go against to but we know each others game. I know it is difficult for natives to play college ball. I tried myself but the only place I was going to was Seattle with no scholarship but walk-on. I had another friend that was going to go with me but he blew his knee out and I didn't want to go after that. Because my high school coach knew that coach in Gray's Harbor. I think theirs a connection between the village and the teams but it has to come down to what the people in the village or reservation has to do. I mean, if the people want to watch they could but I would
love it for them to be in the game like we are. Because, when I was in High School the whole crowd was into it I couldn't believe it. It made me feel so good. That's all I have to say but I hope I hear back from you people because I love hearing from lower 48 native's because that's my dream to see other people like me doing what we got to do. I want to go and see these other natives and see how they lived because I grew up just how they did but I didn't have as much as they did for me because my village was way smaller but the same way though. thanks for your time.
craig albert, tanana, alaska
4/7/03
Elaine Hackett
Springfield, Virginia
The documentary was realistic, and no matter what reservation you would have filmed on, the results would be the same... talented athletes, who do not have the confidence to go much beyond high school. I saw so much talent being wasted growing up on the rez, that I was determined to set higher goals for my children, who are athletes, and participate in many sports. The video is a reminder of what I saw growing up, and I want my children to be inspired by watching the video.
4/7/03
Chiefs #1 Fan
I liked the movie very much...as I was watching the movie i notice that Beaver was getting a little fat...otherwise I loved it...Steve SunRhodes look just cute, a little one running around on the court he looked like a mouse trying to get the cheese...but it was terrific...oh yeah...CONGRADULATIONS!!! to the Lady Chiefs for winning the state title...Aleta did a very good job coaching.....Diana did very good job but she wasn't hitting her 3's like she always does...Contessa did a VERY good job she was the MVP of that game...Tovah did a good job posting up and being on the bottom...Kerrisa did a very good job posting up and being on the bottom...Hope is such a good hustler...and the rest of them did a wonderful job...I sure hope they do it again...but the bad thing about it they lost Tovah and Kerrisa...well they got most of there players back hopefully...Thank you...I LOVE YOU LADY CHIEFS AND CHIEFS
4/7/03
Mary A. Hickie
Phoenix, Arizona
Just finished watching the compelling story about the Chiefs and the young men and their families on the reservation. Since there are not many movies about Native Americans, I found myself not being able to leave the television until the conclusion of the story. While Native Americans face many challenges living on the reservation, this story onlys shows that this young men are struggling to find themselves within their life and are not different from any other teen. Congratultions to the film producers for selecting to make this movie and may each young man on the team now and going forward continue to find what is important in their life.
4/7/03
Jo
New Hampshire
Thank you for the wonderful film. I admire the dedication of the coaches to their students, and the boys certainly worked hard. I was saddened that more of the students profiled did not go on to university, but it is good that some are continuing with their education! I am not Native American myself, but I am first and second generation American. (My Grandfather came here speaking only French.) My parents were both "blue collar" workers and I am a college graduate with a profession! College was hard work, but it's a rewarding challenge.
4/7/03
Twiss Butler
Alexandria, Virginia
I second all of the positive comments on this very moving film. The many brief glimpses I've had of Native Americans over the years - on reservations in Minnesota, around Browning and St. Mary when I worked at Glacier Park in Montana, and the Wind River area in Wyoming when I lived for awhile in Riverton - made me see the white racism and the destruction it imposes on Native Americans. So all honest efforts to show and confront it are worthwhile (and I hope that it has been shown and discussed at all the other high schools in Wyoming - especially those with B-ball teams that compete in the state tournament).
Nevertheless, this was yet another in a seemingly endless line of stories about the overwhelming importance of boys which left me wondering what about the girls of that community? Don't they matter at all, except to grow up to nurture and encourage the boys, as the only women shown in the story so kindly did? I know that a film must focus in on its story, but this one should have felt some responsibility to avoid making girls seem unworthy of any attention and concern.
4/7/03
Mike planetmikey@charter.net
St. Louis, Missouri
I think after watching the Cheifs I feel in love Tim Robinson - love at first site. Tim is so cute and I love his charming personality. Despite Tim's injuries during the tournament he was able to come back and help his team to win the state championship. Tim - if you are reading this please email me, I would love to hear from you.
4/7/03
Robin Fohrenkam
Gila River Indian Community
I very much enjoyed this very real look into Reservation life. The dreams and many times grim realities of life and the injustice we continue to face like RACISM. We see many of youngers look around them and they are foced to make the choices that these young men in Ethete, Wyoming are faced with...drugs, unemployment, violence and death. I have been to Ethete before and been a part of their world, I have been fortunate to have met Gerry Redman Sr. I commend him and Grandpa Burton Huthinson and others like Pat Moss for caring and helping these young people. Thanks for making this film and showing it to the rest of the world. As Natives Americans we will continue and we will suceed.
4/7/03
robert
chicago, illinois
i know very little about native american culture and even less about rez life. being from chicago, my life is much different than the native americans from the rez. "chiefs" really moved me in a deep way; not only did it educate me to how a people other than myself live so differently, it also reminded me how similar we all are with what we desire in life. this movie was like a native american "hoop dreams." i say this not in a plagaristic way, but, rather in a laudable, praisworthy manner. truly, each documentary clearly opened the viewer to a world that most of us would never see otherwise. bravo, job well done.
4/7/03
Lincoln, Nebraska
Chiefs was an excellent film. *clap, clap* and pat on the back. Just great.
Wish I had email address of those schools or people who were mocking, jeering and showing what kind of bigots they were and let them know how ugly and stupid they looked.
4/7/03
Walter Kephart
Richmond, VA
I was very interested in watching the program about the Wind River Reservation because I worked there as a social worker for the BIA from 1964 to 1967. It left me feeling very sad realizing that the very same attitudes of hopelessness and disappointment exist now the way they did almost 40 years ago. When I first arrived at the reservation there were some volunteers who had also just arrived as part of the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program. They were speaking to a young, male member of the Arapahoe tribe who had been an outstanding basketball player at the St. Stephens Mission High School, had gone away to college, failed, returned to the reservation, and was trying to learn carpentry as part of a tribal training program. The volunteers wondered how they would fare during their time at the reservation and he replied, "It depends on how you handle disappointment." I don't know what I was expecting in the way of change in only two generations since my time there consi
dering the multitude of generations since the Indians culture and way of life was disrupted by Americans and they were confined to reservations. The Wind River area is a beautiful place, but the realities of human life there both American and Native American detract from its glory.
4/4/03
Chris Rodriguez
Tucson, Arizona
Dear Producers and Directors:
I enjoyed your presentation of "Chiefs"; it was uplifting and somewhat sad. I went to school in NAU in Flagstaff, AZ and I meet many Navajos who were very good basketball players, but many of those individuals were working towards their degrees many were good examples for young Native Americans. Your documentary detailed not only the struggles of Native Americans, but other ethnic groups who rely to heavily on athletics to promote themselves, many times you can see this in the ghettos of urban centers. I wish this video could be shown to every high school basketball team in the country. Many of those players shown in the documentary had an opportunity to go to college, many unfortunately gave up their dreams and didn't see the big picture, I hope these young individuals do well for themselves regardless if they attend college or not, that is not the most important thing! I too played basketball in Southern Arizona, but I know of only 2 individuals fr
om Southern Arizona, Tucson in specific,who played in the NBA Sean Elliott and Fat Lever, THAT'S IT!!!!!!!. There was a good note from your website, only .003 percent of h.s. players will make it to the pros, so I am like the other 99.007%, and we need to emphasis that more to our young BBALL PLAYERS. You did a wonderful job, and I intend to buy this documentary. I only hope the proceed can be used to produce a follow up. Thanks!
4/4/03
Justin Estes
Portland Oregon
I thought this documentary told the story well of contemperary Native american life.I am lakota sioux I grew up in citys all my life and really never lived on tha rez and I always felt alienated, so I can identafy with some of the rez ndns leaving and returning because of that alienazation that they go through . I also attended Chemawa Indian School becuase of racisim in the city that i lived in, I was pleased that the director put in light the racisim some indian schools go through while playing all white schools, the hooting and tomahak chop etc , I now attend college here in Portland and hoping to walk on the baseball team as a pitcher, I hope you show this documentary again
4/4/03
patricia washington
austin , tx
i wacht the show and it reminded me of my rez back in new mexico i am apache but now in live in austin texas and i miss it over there but i go back a forth because of the powwows , i love to dance at the powows i have a ncies now and she saw it and she said that she wants to go back home now .
4/4/03
Sofia Vasquez
Toledo, OH
I was on my way to bed when I noticed what my sister was watching on T.V. It was a documentary about Native Americans, which is hard to believe in itself! You don't see much in the media about Natives today and how life is on reservations. The film was so real and so magnetic. I wish people were educated about Natives more because it's true, most think theres nothing but drunks that live there because those are the statistics you hear about. They fail to inform us about people like Al C'Bearing and Tim Robinson and the Chiefs Basketball team. About the good that comes out of the reservations. It was an excellent film and I hope it comes on again, and I also hope there are many more to come in the future.
4/4/03
David M Burns
New York, New York
Deepest thanks to Junge and Dewey for this truthful and inspiring story. It is rare that films portraying American Indians are so well rounded.
This film is true in the fact that there are many problems that face the adolescent American Indian. Showing the reality of poverty mixed with the beauty of the surroundings and strength of the family unit paint an accurate picture of life on the rez. There are so many inspiring points in the film, one being simply that American Indians do play sports, do get of the rez, and do return to carry out traditions. This Film is a great step in educating thousands of American on the ways of life in 2003 on American Indian Reservations.
I am a first generation American raised in Nebraska. My Partner is Nez Perce, he and I would love to see more inspiring films like Chiefs also films representing the "minorities" within the American Indian population.
Congratulations on this wonderful work!
4/4/03
Gretchen
San Francisco, CA
I loved this movie! Ours is a time of international knowledge. A time when Americans should know about every culture in the world that they can, yet the one we see the least represented on TV or film is the modern American Indian. It was so good to see these kids living and growing up surrounded by the negatives of alcoholism, poverty and a history of deceipt from our government and see them throw that balance off with the positives of their proud traditions, wonderful sense of family and the encompassing of spirit. Each character knew their individuality and that they would succeed despite it all. Thank you for putting such a great film on.
4/4/03
J. Gladys Grant
Fairbanks, Alaska
I forgot to mention it was nice to see my friends on the video at the employment office:) I went to Haskell with them.
4/4/03
I enjoyed watching the documentary on the Chiefs. The film captured what our native people are faced with on a daily basis - drug use, racism, boredom. I enjoyed Beaver's Indian Humor. lol. He's pretty cool. The Team has so much talent!! Although I went to LVHS during my high school years, I felt a connection with WIHS. I, too, endured haterism by the non-indian students and can certainly empathize. Props to the Sides Bros. They are AWESOME! The whole team is awesome to watch. Stay connected and hang on to those memories. To the up and coming stars of the Chiefs: train hard, stay on top, and reach for the ultimate experience - the WNBA and NBA! I look forward to the day that I see one of our very own kids from the rez playing at that level. It can happen!
4/4/03
Rory Tendore
ISU Pocatello, Idaho
I would like to congratulate Daniel Junge on a job well done. You have presented WIHS and the community in a positive light and I would honestly like to thank you for putting so much time and effort into the project. You have done a great job and have produced something that Native America can be proud of.
I grew up in Fort Washakie and I graduated from WIHS and it felt really good to see key people in the community and get an idea of what basketball can do and how the drive and dedication of strong leadership and love from a community can serve as a way to let kids know that they do matter and they are important.
I was so proud of this video and proud of the people in it and proud to say that yeah, that is my rez, yeah I know those people and yes, they are doing things in the community that matter.
It's about time Al Redman had some aknowledgement outside of the state. He has worked hard and done a lot, I really respect Al and Mary Alice and their family for going out of th
eir way to aknowledge so many kids and families through basketball and their work at the high school. Thank you Brian, thank you Tom Rogers, thank you Owen, thank you Aleta, thank you Al, thank you John Wood...lol, and the boys that were in the movie-you did a good job and should be proud of yourselves for the time you spent in school as opposed to the things you "should have" accomplished because that's no guarantee and we're all learning that in one way or another.
I think we forget how much we appreciate our communities until we are away from home and have to take all of the things you learn at home and put them to use. When you think of higher education and what it means to you-as an individual-you have to think about the kind of impact it will have when you take it home. I'm going through that right now and it's a comforting thought to know that when frustration and stress come on-I am not the only person questioning what I'm doing this for.
We played Chief's at Idaho State University to kick-off our Native American Awareness Week and we had a good response from the community and students on campus. We had people laughing and a few crying and a lot of people couldn't believe how crazy that white lady in the green shirt was...I told them they need to make it to regionals next year...get a better idea.
Thank you and have a nice day.
4/3/03
Hello Chiefs and Producers:
(Just using my husband email address.) Anyways, I watched the movie last night and I surpise about how their rez is familar with my rez. I currently going to school down here in Tucson, but I'm from New Mexico (Navajo). It was so amazing that you can connect with the movie, causing to know someone out there is feeling the same way I do about our homelands (rez). Sorry, to say I only caught the last part of the movie, so I was wondering if you can re-air it again on Tucson channel 6. My son loves the turn out of Tim Anderson and myself included. It inspired my son because he rides in the Rodeo business and also what's to join school sports. Showing these boys gives my child the sparkle of energy to do anything in life whether it's good or bad. Just hoping at my son age his mature enough to go out into the world, with something to hold on too. And that not everything is meet for everybody. Evey thing comes with a price tag.So in this email would you please re-
air the movie or give me some feed back on where I can find it. Thanks! Go Chiefs!
4/3/03
Helen
Parker, AZ
I think what makes a successful basketball team is if every one works togetger.If you practice more the better you get.
I really liked the film.We need more stuff like that.It's really great to see more NATIVES do something good.
4/3/03
Ch'n'na Allen, Nez Perce/Coeur d' Alene
Plummer, ID
I viewed the show on KSPS-Spokane, WA and really enjoyed the story on the kids, rez life and its community. I thought the people who filmed this project did an excellent job! I would like to see a story on rez kids going off to college/four year schools and see what their experiences are like? Perhaps we could learn from their experiences? Anyway, I appreciate the work and effort that you folks put into this story about the Chiefs...
4/3/03
Former Lady Chief
Ethete, Wyoming
First of all, I would like say "Congratulations" to the Lady Chiefs and Leta for capturing the Championship Title! And Good Job for the boys taking 3rd at State this year!
No matter what happened in this film, we native people can walk in both worlds. It doesn't matter where we come from-you have to believe in yourself to make anything happen. there has to be balance in life, whether it's good or bad.
the negative things that were shown in this film are not only here on the Rez but its all over the country and world.
We are such a unique-indigenous people it looks bad to anyone. so what. if people do not like what they see in our young people, then they should be helping in our communities in the Substance Abuse programs.
Not only the reservation but Fremont County has a lack of substance abuse counselors. it would be helpful if there were more natives that are qualified, have the heart (not just there to have a job) to apply.
one day we will over come those barriers
and we do have our elders to help direct our young ones. But everyone must remember that our elders and parents can do so much-the rest is up to the individual to make their own choices(even if its good or bad)that individual will have live with that choice and move on.
Excellent job, Daniel! I'm proud to see a real life documentary not some cheap, fake, hollywood indian show!
4/3/03
Gya Watson, Miss Indian Nations XI
Tempe, AZ
I watched last night, for the first time CHIEFS after a long trip to North Dakota attending the AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium) student conference...April 1st. It was reassuring to see so many aspiring Native American people suceeding in their dreams of Higher Education.
I thought CHIEFS was an excellent and realistic portrayal of the kind of conditions and challenges young people face on the reservation. What saddens me is the lack of self confidence to survive and surpass the conditions they are currently in. I applaud the players for attempting to go outside their environment and seek out their potential and hope that they continue to make positive decisions and work towards positive goals.
There are many excellent basketball teams across Native America like the Chiefs, I'm yet to see an American Indian make it in the NBA...this goal is not a matter of lack of talent, we obviously know the talent is there. Making it off the rez is difficult because
unlike other minority populations in America, Reservations are usually located far off from Urban City populations. Many
Native Americans grow up isolated in very Rural Areas vs. Urban American cities where Main stream society surrounds you. A comfort zone begins to form within a person's life and without the outside urban experiences and influences there's usually a culture shock when one moves outside their means. The standard of Education is also a factor. Education is not always at comprable standards in comparison to urban areas. Students who grow up in cities usually get a higher quality of education and have programs that prepare a student for the reality shock of higher education.
I believe there's a correlation to successful sports teams/great athletes and impoverished communities. For instance, if you look at Rucker's Park, in New York. Rucker's park has seen it's share of magnificent street basketball legends who have come out of poverty stricken ghetto's and projects, however, very few of those legends have ever "made it."
Maybe it's the "desire" and need to set a goal to surpass one's existing living conditions...using a motivating drive that fuels natural talent to attain a dream to get out and make it and allows a person/team to excel in their talents. Another point to account is when you grow up in impoverished areas sometimes the only form of entertainment and hope is in SPORTS or SUBSTANCE ABUSE. I think that those who don't ever see that dream realize show a lack of self-confidence when it comes to succeeding in a "White America" the main stream society isn't always as inviting as ones own confortable reservation or hood. Hurdles also become apparent in life and in their self confidence, presenting themselves in the form of an easy way out...through drugs and alcohol, which easily entangle themselves into an equation of the desire for success blinding a person to focus on that distant goal...issues that obviously need to have
light shed on them. I truly enjoyed the film. Maybe a hard reality check will open peoples eyes to the problems we have existing right on our own lands in America. Our country is at war to help a civilization overseas...where's that effort to reach out to help uplift the civilizations that exist here?
4/3/03
John Giff
Komatke, Arizona
I caught the film after about 15 minutes in progress. What I saw, I was impressed with. Not only because of the Native American content, but because of the way the film was put together. I've seen other "Independent Lens" productions and have always been taken by the style and manner in which the subject matter is presented. As for Chiefs, it raised alot of questions I've had about Native American atheletes. Growing up on a reservation and being a product of Native American educational institutions (parochial and government) I've always seen certian individuals excel in a chosen sport like basketball, baseball, track and even boxing. These are the students everyone thinks will "go all the way". They get trophys, medallions, and yes, even scholorships, but for whatever reason, it ends with high school. You never hear from them again. You watch Wide World of Sports and expect to see them, but they never make it. WHY??? Then one day, you run into that #1 basketball player and he's serving you a Big Mac and he forgot the cheese. And then the conversation turns to "remember when?"
What is the answer? Social addictions? That's too easy. We have enough resources to attack those.
I think it just comes from within. For whatever reason, they decide that their dream is too big to handle. They go running back to the res and emerse themselves in those addictions. You all just have to realize that "dreams" and "ambitions" can come true.
4/3/03
Erin M
Tucson, AZ
Great Film!
I was shocked though by the amount of racism faced by the Chiefs when they ventured off the Reservation. It just shows how sheltered most of us are from the difficulties faced by a few.
I was very impressed by all the players featured. I wish them all the best. I have a greater appreciation for how difficult it is for young adults to leave the reservation now. Still, I hope they will continue to seek higher education off the Reservation. Not only do I think it is the key to improving conditions on the Reservation, but people like me who have never lived on a Reservation, would be better for knowing them.
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