The source that I chose to review is In the Light of Revernce created by POV which is a production of American Documentary, Inc. “In the Light of Reverence is a 72-minute documentary
on Native American struggles to protect landscapes of spiritual significance”.
I believe this site is trying to make people aware of the struggles the Native
Americans have faced and give people the opportunity to buy the film which will
explain these struggles. “The film documents obstacles to religious freedom for
land-based practitioners, and impacts on sacred sites that range from mining
and ski resorts to New Age practices and rock-climbing”. I think this web
resource was selected and put into this course because Native Americans did struggle
trying to fight for their land, freedom and religion. I am researching the
Hidatsa tribe and they certainly struggled for these rights and still face
struggles today.
I don’t believe that the site had enough information to
change my views on any native communities. I knew that some native groups
struggles with these things in the past and some still struggle with this
today. I wish that this website had more information. I do like that it gives
you the opportunity to purchase the film though and gives you links such as In the Light of Reverence
and Environment &
Nature, Family & Society, Rights & Liberties to explore more.
I did a bit more research on In the Light of Reverence. “Ten years in the making, In the Light of Reverence explores
American culture’s relationship to nature in three places considered sacred by
native peoples: the Colorado Plateau in the Southwest, Mount Shasta in
California, and Devils Tower in Wyoming. Rich in minerals and timber and
beloved by recreational users, these “holy lands” exert a spiritual gravity
which pulls Native Americans into conflicts with mining companies, New Age
practitioners, and rock climbers. Ironically, all sides see themselves as
besieged” (sacredland.org).
Here is an additional link if you would like to learn more about this
Reference:
In the Light of
Reverence. (2013) American Documentary, Inc. Retrieved on October 29, 2013
from http://www.pbs.org/pov/inthelightofreverence/film_description.php.
Sacred Land Film Project » In the Light of Reverence.
(2001) Retrieved on October 29, 2013 from http://www.sacredland.org/in-the-light-of-reverence/.
I had the same issue with the site. Other than offering a way to purchase the film - which, by the way, is astronomically expensive owing to its use as an educational tool - I found very little useful information on the actual film itself. Once I located the film on youtube though I found it very enlightening.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the website should have offered more in the way of clips from the film or even updates on the current state of affairs at the three sites they explored in the film.
The film itself was very good though, so I guess I can forgive the website for its lack of information. I have come to expect more from a PBS site - which are usually very well done. The one I reviewed for "The West" comes to mind.
Thank you Sara. I will check out the films on YouTube.
DeleteI am surprised by PBS as well and perhaps because the film was purchased by them from the American Documentary company you mentioned, as opposed to being produced for public broadcasting, is the reason the website seems commercially motivated.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate after reading Sars' blog and then yours I thought to myself, why is Devils Tower called that anyhow? It seems as if so many native sacred sites are referred to by English names that defy their very meaning and intent, Devils Tower being no different. According to the National Park Service, it is thought that the tower recieved its name due to, yep you guessed it, an error in translation : (. The natives referred to it as "Mato Tipila, meaning Bear Lodge...other names include Bear's Tipi, Home of the Bear, Tree Rock and Great Grey Horn" (www.nps.gov). Apparently, in 1875, and during an expedition led by military personnel, the "interpreter misinterpreted the name to mean Bad God's Tower" which is now known as Devils Tower (www.nps.gov). Food for thought...I wonder why there is not the typical apostrophe to notate possession since it was transformed from Bad God's (belonging to a bad God) to Devils no punctuation. That may be silly but as I kept typing it I had to go back and take the punctuation out perhaps the idea that it belonged to a devil would have offended Christian Europeans...drag!
Also though, from the National Parks website, it informs that measures are made to use the most unintrusive equiptment possible (surely though no modern equiptment would be better in terms of defacing) and sort of downplays the amount of damage that has been done due to climbers. However, the site also informs of 1995 Climbing Management Plan and the 2006 June Voluntary Climbing Closure, the latter of which the NPS boasts has reduced climbing during the ceremonial month of June by 80% and also discourages potential visitors from planning a trip at that time out of respect for native practices (www.nps.gov). I am not saying this is good or bad, but it does seem, if only for one month, as a unifying effort between the native fight and the US government as the NPS notes that it fully supports and stands by the vountary climbing closure.
Here is a link: http://www.nps.gov/deto/faqs.htm
Jaime,
DeleteThe "In the Light of Reverence" videos that I have watched on YouTube says that climbing has decreased about 85% in the month of June. Even though this was asked of the park workers as a voluntary thing, it was still illegal. I'm happy to see the decrease in the month of June though, out of respect for the native peoples wishes. According to the park service, “When the proclamation establishing Devils Tower was published, the apostrophe was unintentionally dropped from 'Devil’s' — and this clerical error was never officially corrected.” (www.wyomingtourism.org)
Jaime,
DeleteI went to your blog to see your posts but it appears empty to me. Do you have another blog page?
Very interesting research Jaime.
DeleteI think you did a good job with this post Carrie. I am glad that you are taking your research beyond what the course is providing you!
ReplyDelete