Native Spirit: The American Indian Experience

This video unveils the American Indian experience from 1492 until today through the poignant voices of eminent Native leaders. You will hear the tragic story of the clash of cultures and the distressing challenges facing our Native Peoples; but, you will also see the remarkable successes that are unfolding as traditional Indian leaders fight to perpetuate their ancestral cultural traditions. The interviews with Native leaders include the first Native recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.; the Crow tribal historian for life; an American Indian Educator of the Year; a MacArthur Genius Award recipient; movie stars; distinguished university professors; and beloved spiritual leaders, including the 19th generation keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle of the Lakota tribe. This documentary film was an official selection for the Talking Stick Film Festival and has been used in both college and secondary classrooms.