By Tim Giago
For more on the subject, see We Shall Remain a Game-Changer? and TV Shows Featuring Indians.
August 16, 2010
Hanta Yo = Native Roots?
Indian Country never got its own version of 'Roots'
By Tim GiagoIn 1980 Wolper was given a script based on Ruth Beebe Hill’s book, “Hanta Yo.” He loved the script and he saw it, according to an ignorant and misguided public relations specialist, as “the new Roots of Indian country.” Of course, to say something as outlandish as that immediately brought out the antagonists from the woodwork. Wolper and his co-producer, Stan Margulies, ran for cover. They called Larry Red Shirt (now deceased) and Louis Bad Wound (now deceased) of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and asked for their input. After people suggested changes and said there'd be hell to pay if ABC didn't make them, here's the result:We were naïve in those days and we really believed ABC would honor our requests. Well, they didn’t. They did sneak several of the scenes we had deleted back into the series without telling us. In the end, Red Shirt, Bad Wound and I felt that the series would have been much more harmful if we had not made an effort to change it. Comment: The idea of a Native Roots is interesting, but I'm not sure it's necessary today. Here are some problems with the idea:
Between documentaries such as The Native Americans, 500 Nations, and We Shall Remain and mini-series such as Dreamkeeper and Into the West, I think TV has covered a lot of Native history. I'm not sure people are clamoring for more.
How could you cover the history of two continents of Indians by showing one family's roots? It's relatively sound to view the antebellum South as the center of American slavery. But what's the center of American Indian history? The Iroquois? The Cherokee? The Navajo? The Plains Indians?
If you could focus on only one tribe, I don't think it would be the Lakota. They were involved only in the later stages of the Euro-American expansion and conquest. A better choice would be the tribes of the Southwest. They were involved in the first stages of Spanish exploration and the last stages of the Indian Wars.
I haven't read Hanta Yo, but I recall that people criticized it for its mistakes and stereotypes. It's a white woman's fictional account of Lakota history, not an Indian's account of his or her own roots. It isn't an acclaimed award-winner like Alex Haley's Roots. It's unsuitable in almost every way to be a seminal mini-series about Indians.
For more on the subject, see We Shall Remain a Game-Changer? and TV Shows Featuring Indians.
By Tim Giago
For more on the subject, see We Shall Remain a Game-Changer? and TV Shows Featuring Indians.
"•If you could focus on only one tribe, I don't think it would be the Lakota. They were involved only in the later stages of the Euro-American expansion and conquest. A better choice would be the tribes of the Southwest. They were involved in the first stages of Spanish exploration and the last stages of the Indian Wars."
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with this statement. It seems again that indigenous history pre-dating Europeans is not significant until whites come into the picture and that the SW tribes somehow have an edge on the "European" experience.
If you want to go deeper into native history, look at Mexico. It has had European Spaniards controlling it; changing the language from indigenous tribes to Spanish and still today treats its aboriginal peoples no different than white Americans treat tribes here AND it is not unrealistic to compare Mexico to one big Indian reservation. Theres alot of similiarities, but I expect your minds possibly cannot grasp this being the hollywood populist and brainwashed citizens you inherited from schools and academic settings.
In truth, the SW nations reflect much of Mexicos current and past dilemmas. There are still common cultural rifts existing today in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona as there are in Mexico.
Borders only exists on maps folks, after that, it takes a gun to make America a seperate nation!
There is a film called "El Norte" which covers a travel of two natives from Guatemala through Mexico into the US. Kind of artsy and a short independent B film, but the storyline and meaning is all too common with the plight of Indians into mainstream society.
And dmarks, please try not to get politically offended. Get out of your cage of intolerance once and awhile.
Roots was an American production, Chief. So we're implicitly talking about an American replacement.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy if a Mexican company produced a Native Roots for Mexican audiences. But no American company would do that.
I don't think a major American network such as ABC has ever produced a series about Mexico and its history. It isn't obvious that a viable US market for such a series exists.
Therefore, I'm sticking with my argument. For a Native Roots produced by an American company for American audiences, I'd say the best subject would be the tribes of the American Southwest.
you write: "I haven't read Hanta Yo, but I recall that people criticized it for its mistakes and stereotypes. It's a white woman's fictional account of Lakota history, not an Indian's account of his or her own roots. It isn't an acclaimed award-winner like Alex Haley's Roots. It's unsuitable in almost every way to be a seminal mini-series about Indians."
ReplyDelete--------
If you haven't read Hanta Yo how can such a sweeping statement be made about either its suitability, or unsuitability for a mini-series. Isn't that prejudging?
It wasn't just a 'white-woman's' account of Lakota ways/that was the whole point. And, yes there was some controversy when the book was published, however, it was a very sensitive time for American Indians in the 70s with AIM, et. al.
Perhaps, that had something to do with even Native criticisms for fear of further bad-impressions of American Indians as 'savages' due to a few of the passages/ scenes to be included [of a homosexual experience (which was spiritually-based), and then a depiction of a cultural child-birthing practice].
(And absolutely appropriate within the context in which they are presented, imo).
Since it is a different time now, more than 30yrs later, perhaps both might be viewed with a different lens of better understanding [?/idk] by the People, & by audiences if done sensitively & right.
Perhaps those of Indian heritage may be better able to judge its suitability better than a non-indian.
btw, [I think the subject of SW tribes would be interesting], but when 'Americans' think of American Indians, what visual do you get in 'your' mind? The Plains Indian "IS" that depiction, and I for one, am glad they are..those who had the courage to stand up against injustice & inhumanity was the "right" thing to do--both then -and- now.
Plus, the battles fought [Custer & Wounded Knee] are the two most important historically & most prominent in people's minds.
Yes, the Lakota, Cheyenne & other Plains Indian tribes are perfect for a mini-series, for more people need to become aware of this, and not so apathetic & ignorant about this aspect of our history.
Additionally, in Hanta Yo there are some absolutely stunning passages of personal spirituality & ceremonies that are absolutely glorious [imo], but ask some tribal members for their opinions..I'm sure they may appreciate being listened to, for once in history.
I don't think Ruth Beebe Hill ever wavered in standing up for her research/ writing process, continuing staunchly for its validity, even decades later.
[~and Read the Book, you may just change your mind..it's very-very good/imo, excellent!]...
{p.s. I do like your site/contents}