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4/2/03
J. Gladys Grant
Fairbanks, Alaska
I think the film was excellent it covered all aspects of basketball in indian country. For me it was educational and inspiring. It is a video that can be used in the classroom and for a team. I think the chiefs were so good because indian people are close knit and they take care of each other, they worked as a team.
4/2/03
judy
chadron ne
I really enjoyed this program. The sports involving the reservation team was so encouraging. Thank you for airing this program. I believe the Chiefs probably battled many things before ever getting to the basketball court. The family support system was immediately recognized within the film
also. The coaches worked the team in an impressive way too! I pray the boys presented in "where are they now" are continuing to do well in all they wish to accomplish!
Thank you again
4/2/03
connie
kenai alaksa
My 13 year old son and I watched this together, while he enjoyed the basketball scenes, I was glad to see the honest portrayal of Beaver, and a direct correlation between almost being a winner and getting high, and Al whose hard work and healthy choices making him a winner.
I appreciate acknowledgement of racism, and your willingness to show viewers how prevalent it continues to be, of the diminished hope and belief of a better world. As a half-breed, I remember having to make conscious decisions to not join my peers in their slow demise into drugs and alcohol and being ostracized for it.
4/2/03
CALVIN D
TUCSON, AZ
I THOUGHT THIS SHOW WAS GREAT. I AM A 20 YEAR OLD STUDENT AT THE U OF A AND I AM ALSO HALF INDAIN. WATCHING THIS SHOW MADE ME FEEL FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE RES. THE AMOUNT OF HOPELESNESS THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL THERE WAS SAD. I WILL DEFINATLY RECOMEND THIS SHOW TO EVERYONE. GOOD JOB
4/2/03
A. Angeles
Ft.Worth,TX
I think that what makes teams like the Chiefs so good is the fact that they are hungry for success. They have the desire to make something more of their lives. I believe the main reason for this is that they don't have all the opportunities that non-reservation teens have. Such as, money, resources, or complete family support. The game actually gives them hope and something to strive for, a place where they belong. I think the reason it is so difficult for rez grads to make it away from home is that they lose the support system that they are so used to. Whether it may be a parent, teacher, or the friends that they view as family,they more than likely feel lost and alone. Not only that, they have to in some ways leave their culture behind to go out into the world. Which to them is an unknown, awkward, and quite prejudice place. I was appalled by the way rival teams would so blatenly show hate to the Chiefs by pushing, yelling prejudiced comments and hooting at them. It really bothered me. Especially since anyone with even half a brain knows that Native Americans were here first. I would really like to hear from someone at pbs to find out what happened to #31, Bryan Soundingsides. Something about him intrigued me. I really wish he hadn't left college. I understand his feelings on why he came back. But I still think wholeheartedly that he should have given himself more of a chance. Although, I can't judge his actions since I've never been in his place. I really enjoyed the film by the way. And I congratulate all who were involved in it's production. I wish nothing but luck to all the guys from the Chiefs and all the rez kids everywhere.
4/2/03
Steven Vause
New York, NY
I thought it was a brilliant and often triumphant documentary. it was inspiring to see these guys work so hard to achieve their goal of winning the state championship. I thought the parallels of the game and that of real life dynamics, perhaps the differences of those living on the rez verses those non Indian people who come from a different way of living, was remarkable. Being Cherokee [and living in New York City] It was thrill to have the opportunity to get an indepth look at teenage contemporary life on the reservation and see the hope that very much exist [in this case through basketball]for future generations. At the same time I was concerned and curious as to what can be done to continue this inspiration throughout that particular rez among others. Finally, I was disappointed in the time slot given to this superb film in NYC [12 midnight]. I look forward to a rebroadcast at an earlier time that garners a much larger viewing audience.
4/2/03
Constance Consola
Wichita, KS
I thought the film was really good! My sister & I were watching the film together, we got so into it! We were on the edge of our seats when they played the state games! The guys were so intresting to learn about, and Tim was so cute!! I enjoyed learning about both the guys and the team. I think, obviously, team work & skill makes a good basketball team. But each indiviudual being able to perfect their craft can make a team stronger. I'm not sure why its so hard for the graduates to "make it off the rez". I think if you have determination and want to go that much further you can. But wanting to stay somewhere safe, with your family, being somewhere familar, its hard to leave that. Im not sure if theres a connection, I think having that "out" a sport or something you do, being able to practice a lot, is what makes a person succesful.
4/2/03
J. Kniffin
San Carlos, AZ
It could of been better, but it was ok for a native team. I actually liked it. So... it's all good!
4/2/03
The movie gave a true dipiction of youth on reservations who play sports. I know some guys who were on a playing level in high school that no other could match. Now, they are still living on the reservation doing nothing but playing independant ball. I'm glad that some things on the film were shown so that other youth who watch it will relate. Drugs and racism or stereotyping is a major problem. It's unfortunate that young kids can say mean and hurtful things but that's what will make or break a person. I don't think that the youths I know realize that they are not the only victims of racism. Hearing what the anglo boys were doing and saying about native americans made me infuriated.
I think that the basketball team is very successfull because they keep their traditions, teamwork, and the respect they have coming from the community and relatives. The coaching staff also plays a vital role in how they do.
In my perspective, I think that high school graduates often don't make it off reservation because they either come from a broken family, alcoholism, or the option of college is not always there. I used to here about dreams and aspirations from some of my classmates but they were never done simply because they wanted to party and have a good time with friends. I think that life on the reservation was easier lived because you don't have to do much to make a living. A lot of kids don't ever venture off the reservation just to see what's out there. I think that that is an experience that should be done as a child growing up.
With some of the youth who have close ties and bonds with family, they are often homesick and the need to be home will overtake them.
Impoverished communities and successful sports teams can have a connection. With impoverished communities they would have to make due with what they got. It empowers them to want to do more and try to be the best at what they do. With spare time, practice on a sport will have a lot to do with the success. There i
sn't malls, fancy stores, or anything! like a city or even a small town may have so what else is there to do but play something your good at the majority of the time.
4/2/03
Hello,
I normally do not find myself watching PBS but last night I could not stop. The Documentary was wonderful. I really saw so much more than just a successful basketball team. I truly saw successful young boys who regardless what trials they are given will become successful men. I know that my comments do not really pertain to the questions referenced above but I just wanted to say that I respect the Chiefs and was wondering if there was any type of College Scholorship or Grant program for the Chiefs? I work for a very well known Oil and Gas company and would like to know if perhaps we might be able to work on something. Again, thank you to the Chiefs for sharing just a small peak of their experiences.
4/2/03
Janice Salt
hey
I think you play good. That all I can said to you.
4/2/03
.The training ,dedication and the support of the community,
I think it is hard for anyone to leave home and try to fit in but it is even harder when you belong to such a strong community where you know everybody and you just fit..I also thought there was a lot of hostlities to the chiefs in this neck of the woods, which makes it hard for any individual to suceed.
Yes I do I see it where I grew up in Ireland where the best soccer players come from the most impoverised back grounds, its a ticket out of there.. Plus in a lot of these communities there is not a lot to do but play sport.
4/2/03
Ricky Smith
Dayton, Ohio
A few of these indie films I've watched on PBS late late at night have been outstanding. As a true independent politics wise, I wish I could whole-heartedly support PBS due to their painfully obvious and intellectually insulting liberal bias. That being said, I am going to donate money and voice my opinion of how wonderful these indie films are. PBS you're going in the right direction... get rid of Bill Moyers the moron or add a moderate program and also an equally moronic ultra-conservative program to negate his program.
4/2/03
dargelo
houston,tx
I think the chiefs are one of the best teams I've ever seen.But Iwood like to know a lot about native american and wind river indian reservation because I think that maybe it will show me something new and maybe have new friend.That will teach me truth about native american
4/2/03
Chris
Three Rivers, CA
It's almost 1am and I am up and online trying to find out more about this amazing film I just saw! I was so very moved.
Thanks so much for making this movie. It provided a beautifully honest, fascinating glimpse into the lives of young men growing up on the modern rez.
4/2/03
I have seen something similar happen with cousins of mine who were from a small impoverished community. They won about 5 consecutive 6 man football state championships and were the stars of the team and probably could have played atleast some community college football on scholarship and yet they never even tried.
High school athletics takes so much talent or as in these examples so much effort that it can be hard to do anything else. The schools also dont have some of the technology or resources to keep up with larger schools and more importantly if you dont have internet access you cant just go downtown to a library or bookstore and find help books, how to study books, and learn how to study. That may seem simple but there is a great advantage if you come from a family where your dad is an engineer and your mother is a nurse. Parents teach there kids how to succed. My parents were good parents but when I got to junior high I just did not understand algebra concepts and being
in an overcrowded school teachers were not patient. I would spend hours working on it asking my mom and dad for help and they tried but we all failed. I have always struggled with algebra even in college just barely getting a "C" at best. In my K-2 grades I attended a small school with only 11 students to a teacher and did very well. When I went to a large city school, I immediately noticed that my questions seldom got answered do to a lack of time for the rest of the class. I saw it as disinterest in me and I became less interested in the subject and school. Mom and dad kicked me through school. A surgery injury made me realize that sports were not going to be my ticket for a sports scholarship. I was so appalled at the out right discrimmination, name calling and ugliness of the white schools but not surprised as I have been called wetback, taco breathe, greaser and other names as I am hispanic. My last comments are to the Chiefs: keep your heads high, and just as you train
each other to be good basketball pla!
yers train and encourage each other to be good in the books and as good men and people. That is where you keep your pride in yourself, to see those that you help succeed. Continue to improve your own lives, learn to learn. Hopefully some day the W.I.H.S. will not only win lots championships but be a place of envy because thats where all of the smart kids come from too, because the indian "family" will teach each other secrets of scholarly success. Good luck to all of you and may God bless the "Rez" and its people.
4/2/03
Greg Haro
Globe , Arizona
Thank You Mr.Junge and Ms.Dewey for making this film. I am a H.S.Teacher and Coach on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in E.Central Arizona.I am
very inspired by your film because I can relate to it so well. I need to get the video tape to show my students. Here are my comments to your questions.(1)My feelings as to why N.A. schools B-ball teams do so well is that they pick it up from such a young age, and it becomes so much of a part of their lives, it is
always there when they need it.(2)I think the problem that young natives have in making that transition are many, what I see most with the students I have had over the years is a true lack of confidence and consistancy to making a commitment to develop their natural talents into a markitable skill.There are many of my H.S. students that cannot see themselves being anywhere else in this country let alone this world because the life on the rez as harsh as it may seem to a non-native person is the most secure way they know. The
government as well as the tribe is always going to be their help take care of them.When I try to expose
my student/athletes to different enviroments off the rez,
and there is a "spark" of inspiration that maybe they could make it doing what they want with their life off the rez, it is quickly "doused" by the reality that if they don't make it on the outside and they have to come back to the rez as a hero, then they will feel that they will be looked at a s a FAILURE to their family,friends and relatives
I have a term for this, its what I call "reservation of the mind", and I have truly seen what it can do to some of our community best and brightest young people. (3)The children of the rez I see on from a young age through their teens make a
direct assimilation to the African-American of the inner city.They dress like them, talk like them, have mannerisms like them, listen to the music that comes from them, and look up to them; especially the althletes.When sports start up in our school we get a very good turn out! in the begining, and it really grows during B-ball season,so many people in our community "live and die" depending on how both the boys and girls teams are doing that season. Like with so many rez B-ball teams during our state tournament it seems like everyone gets involved and wrapped up in it.I can certainly relate to the saying "last person on the rez; will you turn off the lights". I also feel that when athletic teams do well at a state competition it makes living the hard life on the rez more bearable.
4/2/03
WELL I MYSELF AM NATIVE AMERICAN FROM THE GILA RIVER RESERVATIN AND ALSO HAVE CHILDREN WHO GO TO SCHOOL ON THE RESERVATION. ONE OF MY SONS PLAYED BASKETBALL IN JR. HIGH AND WANTED TO PLAY IN HIGH SCHOOL BUT THE SCHOOL HE GOES TO DOES NOT HAVE A TEAM BUT HE STILL HAS HIS HOPES OF GOING TO A HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAS A TEAM. MY SON'S NAME IS LUCIANO AND HE PLAYS BASKETBALL VERY WELL. I MYSELF WISH THAT MAYBE HE WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY FOR A TEAM BECAUSE I THINK THAT WHEN HE IS PLAYING BALL HE STAYS OUT OF TROUBLE AND IT MAKES HIM FELL GOOD ABOUT HIMSELF. I THINK THAT BEING WHO WE ARE IS VERY DIFFICAULT BECAUSE THE OTHER PEOPLE THINK THAT "INDIANS" ARE ALL DRUNKS AND SMOKE MARIJUANA AND ARE LAZZY.MOST OF THE KIDS THAT I KNOW DON'T EVEN MAKE IT PAST JR. HIGH AND I PUT THE BLAM ON THERE PARENTS. BECAUSE THE PARENTS SHOULD MAKE THERE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL AND GET THERE EDUCATION TO MAKE SOMETHING OF THIER SELVES SO THEY CAN DO SOME GOOD FOR THERE RESERVATION.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE STORY
WHICH IS NOT A STORY IT'S REALITY IS THAT THESE YOUNG MEN ARE TRING TO DO SOME GOOD FOR THEMSELVES AND THERE RESERVATION BY GOING ON TO COLLEGE AND IT WILL BE HARD TO FINISH BUT THERE ARE NATIVE AMERICANS THAT DO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY AND SHOULD ALLWAYS STAND TALL AND BE PROUD, BE PROUD OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY COME FROM EVEN IF IT'S THE POOREST RESERVATION.
4/2/03
Crystal M. Claw (Navajo./Southeren Ute)
Tuba City, Az
Hi... Ya'at'eeh shi dine. I enjoyed watching the movie tonight on channel 8. I was very surprised, not many indians are recognized today. I am a former basktball player too, i played on the Navajo Reservation. We struggled as a team, yet i believe we accomplished our goals, we didnt win state, yet we made it to regionals, not many people believed that we could make it that far. Our audience, spectators,fans were our inspiration to make it and take it that far. After viewing this footage on the Chief Basketball Team, it gives us DINE as well as other Native American Indians, a message. NOT TO GIVE UP.. WHEN U FALL DOWN, LIFT YOUR SELF UP. Dont give up! It would be nice to get in touch with these guys who are in this movie. Or at least to get an autograph. hehe.I have inclosed my email address. Well, i enjoyed watching this, a'hee'he. May the Great Spirits Protect you and your families Always, and continue and conquer your dreams.
4/2/03
Gretchen Karlson
Chandler, Arizona
What a wonderfully informative, well-documented work of filmography. This was truly an interesting and educational program that I enjoyed immensely and hope others viewers feel the same. The stories told by each player, the glimpses into their history, families, and futures shed such a different perspective regarding the currently (and future) lifestyle of todays Native Americans. Although I hope their devotion to basketball and the support it gives them continues to grow, I also wish for more opportunities to become available to those on reservations and government assistance. Opportunities such as better college acceptance, community investment, and more community programs focusing on the needs of today (technology, medical, business growth). Good luck to all the young men and their families for a properous future!
4/2/03
Leaving the reservation is like venturing out into the great unknown. Youth who leave for extended periods of time to visit relatives off the rez prior to leaving for college might be better prepared for the experience.When you leave your family, your community, your tribe for the first time the experience is one of severe culture shock. You feel alien. You feel very alone. You become the single representive of your Tribe and often all Native America. I've been put on the spot by fellow students and instructors, expecting me to now all the answers to their barrage of questions and comments regarding my Tribe and all Tribes. You fend off racist comments daily, and you're expected to be all forgiving for their ignorance. All this without the comfort and support of your family and people becomes overwhelming. Alienation becomes the dominating feeling and with it comes depression, often abuse of chemicals follows in the desperate need to feel numb from it all. I recognized the spiral Beaver and Brian were falling into. The racist comments, unchecked bullying by opponents, there is also the fear of success and with it the opportunity for college. College means leaving home and the nurturing environment we grow accustomed to. Life on the Rez isn't easy, but it is something we are comfortable with, and most importantly it is a place where it's ok to be Indian.
4/2/03
Two-Crows
Chemehuevi Res,Havasu Lak
Watching this is an eyeopener. I have lived here on the res almost all my life. I was able to finish school but had to move away to do it. Now that I have kids myself, I don't want them to be like the old one's. Drinking here is bad, along with other stuff but it is starting to get better. As a parent I have been working hard to get the kids involved in sports and other activities that will get them wanting to do the things they want to be to become. I have ordered this video so I can show them that others on the res can make it. They are not alone.
4/1/03
ben sides & Jordan Whiteman
ethete,wyoming
yeah it was alright, could have been better, with all of ben sydes dunks and blocks on the show. and showed more of the players, then focused on one player or mascot......jks it was a good show....average.....
1/8/03
purezgurl@yahoo.com
Ehete Wyoming
Tha chiefs are the bomb baby bomb. They gots the tru skillz that are indifferent. Keep ya head up chiefs and go for the gold. Aint no one can make you betta but yourself so keep goin.
12/16/02
Stacey Oldman Lady_playa307@yahoo.com
Lawrence, KS
Go Chiefs! I was jus playin bout what i wrote last tyme. Beaver'z still kool!
11/26/02
keris kkladyballin_forever@yahoo.com
Ethete,Wyo
The "Chiefs" documentary was pretty good compared to what we all thought it would be like. For some, basketball is probably the only way off the reservation because no one loves it as much as we do............two thumbs up to Daniel Junge for making something that the "Chiefs" will always treasure....
11/11/02
Darlene Hanway-Lopez dlopez@hansonbridgett.com
Hayward, CA
I saw "Chiefs" at the AIFF in San Francisco last week. It was a riveting 88 minutes of a combination of highs & lows. Being from Wind River, I was captivated by the basketball scenes and feel there could have been several stories that might have been told. However, the film gave me a feeling of contentment.
Beaver addressed the audience after the film for a Q&A session and when asked how he felt about the racism encountered he said he figured it was "their problem" not his and that their focus was the team which really said it all. Beaver further said raising his son is better than any basketball championship. His presence as a representative for my tribe was solid and honest and provided the audience with straightforward responses and he came across very well.
Scenes of the sweats, the community support, as well as scenes of poverty combined with great views of the landscape (and snow!) gave a balanced depiction of the reservation - displays of too much poverty can be depressing but the film achieved balance.
I look forward to this film being distributed for purchase so I can get a copy of my own!
10/16/02
Ben LeClair
Crowheat, Wyoming
i really like the wyoming indian chiefs, thier are an awesome team! When well thier video be out so i can buy it.
9/26/02
Stacey Oldman
Ethete, WY
it was alright documentary but you should have used al c'bearing, jr. rather than beaver
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