Chris Eyre, Cheyenne/Arapaho, (left) directs a scene capturing the so-called “First Thanksgiving” while filming “After the Mayflower” at Pioneer Village in Salem, Mass., for the groundbreaking PBS series We Shall Remain, which will premiere April 13.
BOSTON – After almost five years of planning and production, a groundbreaking television series depicting more than 350 years of history from an American Indian perspective is scheduled to premiere next spring.
Producers of the award-winning PBS history series “American Experience” are nearing completion of “We Shall Remain” – a five-part series of 90-minute documentary films that will air each week for five consecutive weeks beginning on April 13.
In addition to the films, “We Shall Remain” has a massive multi-media and community outreach component that includes mentoring emerging Native filmmakers, a national library initiative, and a coalition of Native organizations and tribes, historical societies, museums, schools and other groups to plan and sponsor activities that promote understanding of local Native history and contemporary life.
The films – the heart of the project - represent major epochs in American Indian history and the overarching themes of the indigenous peoples’ unwavering resilience and resistance to the Europeans’ settler colonial project and its encroachment on aboriginal territories.
“After the Mayflower” deals with the 17th century European invasion and first contact with the Wampanoag Indians in Massachusetts, and the decades leading up to the brutal King Philips War that devastated the northeastern woodlands tribes and settlers alike.
“Tecumseh’s Vision” stars actor Michael Greyeyes, Plains Cree, as the brilliant leader Tecumseh with his steadfast vision of a pan-Indian movement, and Billy Merasty, Cree First Nation, as his brother Tenskwatawa, who was known as The Prophet.
“Trail of Tears” relates the tragic ethnic cleansing of the Cherokee Nation from its southeast homeland in which 4,000 people died of disease and starvation along the way.
“Geronimo” is the story of the controversial Apache warrior-hero, who was seen as a savage terrorist to the white settler colonists; a hero to some Apaches, who still take pride in the fact that they were the last to lay down their arms to the Europeans; and a troublemaker to others who blamed him for the collective punishment the tribe suffered.
“Wounded Knee” examines the broad political and economic forces that led to the emergence of the American Indian Movement in the late 1960s and the events that triggered the group’s takeover of Wounded Knee on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and its 71-day standoff with federal troops
Chris Eyre, Cheyenne/Arapaho, directed “After the Mayflower” and “Trail of Tears,” and co-directed “Tecumseh’s Vision” with Rick Burns. Eyre’s first feature film, ‘’Smoke Signals,’’ won the Audience Award and he received the Filmmaker’s Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. In 2005, he received a Directors Guild award and a Peabody Award for his film, “Edge of America.’’
“Geronimo’’ was co-written, co-produced and co-directed by Dustinn Craig, White Mountain Apache/Navajo, and Sarah Colt.
“Wounded Knee” was produced and directed by Stanley Nelson, a recipient of a 2002 MacArthur Fellowship, a Sundance Special Jury Prize, Peabody Award, Primetime Emmy, an IDA Award and a DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton and Freedom of Expression award. Also working on the project are Julianna Brannum, Comanche, associate producer; and Darwyn Roanhorse, Navajo, production assistant.
The films weave together dramatic re-enactments of the historical narratives with commentary from contemporary tribal members, elders, historians and other scholars whose thought-provoking comments provide insights and counterpoints to the narratives.
“I think in the series what you find is that nothing is simple and nothing is black and white,” Eyre said in a video clip on the project’s extensive Web site at www.pbs.org/weshallremain.
“When you have the odds and the adversity that you find with all of this history and Indian people and what they went through you can’t always be sure of the choices you would have made at the time, and the series really sheds light on that,” Eyre said.
Actor Wes Studi, Cherokee, who plays the role of Major Ridge in the “Trail of Tears” episode said the films portray American Indians as active players in their own story.
“Many times what happens is that the general public throughout the world thinks of us as just a lot of victims of the Europeans. Well, this story here deals with, you know, our input in the way things turned out. We had a huge hand in our historic fate and I think this particular story and the character I’m playing, Major Ridge addresses that. It’s the most historically accurate telling of this story that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Studi said.
The film series and its massive outreach initiatives will go a long way in repairing the woefully inadequate misrepresentations of American Indian history in the country’s educational institutions and in popular culture.
“A lot of the history was a surprise and we were surprised by how much we didn’t know,” said Lauren Prestileo, the project manager.
Everyone involved is well aware of the impact this series will have.
“We believed going into it that we could really contribute something that hasn’t been done before,” said Sharon Grimberg, the series; executive producer.
“It’s the most ambitious thing American Experience has ever done. It’s drawn in all of the staff and a lot of the people at WBGH (Boston) and I think most people would say it’s the most important thing we’ve done. It’s been incredibly difficult and incredibly rewarding,” Grimberg said.
The project was meticulously planned from the beginning. Before launching the project, Grimberg held a two day “production school” that brought together all the production teams, scholars, representatives from the National Museum of the American Indian and Honoring Nations, cinematographers, and a whole range of others to talk about the themes that would resonate throughout the series, and the aesthetic approach that would span more than 300 years.
“It’s grown and grown and grown, in all good ways. I think everyone has seen the potential in it for an incredibly important conversation nationally around this story, so we started out with a TV series and we have a really huge initiative now that has these different aspects to it.”
The project’s Web site, already enormous, is going to get bigger.
“We’ll be adding interviews and a series of features on contemporary issues because we really want the story to connect to the present day so they will be sovereignty, language and economic enterprise and these pieces will be videos and there will be links to other resources and articles and connection to the films,” Grimberg said.
Video clips of the episodes, short films produced by emerging Native filmmakers and much more is available at www.pbs.org/weshallremain.
Northern California during the gold rush is a horrific story which took place 160 years ago. It was my great-great grandmother who felt the impact. I hope that someday it can be told with the same earnestness of the Trail of Tears
My people were reduced from 4,000 to 110 by the year 1905... When Custer was defeated the war cry of the press was "A good Indian is a Dead Indian" later author of The Wizzard of Oz...
Forced Assimilation -
Genocide
Mining of all natural resources on Indian Lands...
The first law adopted by CA legislature upon stathehood was adoption law... allowed white settlers to go into indian villages shoot the parents and move into the family home the kids were now adopted can we portray that terroris
i wish you the best of luck.my mother was half cherokee.never knew her,or any part of that side of my family.from the age of 5 i always rooted for the indians on tv movies.at that time never knew about my mother until age 17.it explained a lot about how i feel about alot of things.even though i'm not full blood.my heart and soul are.the story of the white buffalo is coming true.i hope to see more of the true histoy.not what is taught in schools.again best of luck to you.
Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:41 PM Little Bear (Ojibway) wrote ...
Yes! It's a good thing. After all, the vast majority of history books in the last 500 years have been written by non-Indians and NOT in the eyes of us Indian people who know the real truth. We were NEVER discovered! We were robbed of our land, religion, culture and language. We were lied to and taken advantage of, over and over. The next time someone says I should not have "special" rights as an Indian, I will tell them "ok" I agree if they return our land and leave this OUR Indian Country
Well, I guess it still holds true to from "the native perspective". I don't really see where PBS said that the Directors/Producers needed to be from the region being filmed. I think this is a great start to something that one day will the complete native perspective - heck, gotta start somewhere.
It seems that the same ordeal of confliction are again, highlighted. There are so many other instances of victory, mayhem, and of being scammed. This is an opportunity to research, learn and teach ourselves and the public in general. However, I still applaud the efforts needed to create such a task. Hagoneeh. (walk in beauty)
chjris eyers and sharon grimberg were compleatly demeaning and rude twoards the wampanoag people they asked to consult for them on episode 1 "king phillups war" they were insistant on once again focusing on the backstory- the pilgrims. they showed no respect for the intelectual property rights of the wampanoag language reclamation program. they insisted on defering credit from the wampanoag people who were to produce the wardrobe to white film union people. not the work, just the credit.
I can't get enough images of Indians in buckskins, keep them coming! Who cares about what Indians do in the modern world, that doesn't market as well as stereotyping! Thanks!
okay, so this series is probably a good idea - but there are so many other stories, and the ones included in this series have been told over and over and over......the Califoria story needs to be told, for example. I am Dakota, but I live out here and the stories of survival for California tribes needs to be told as well. But then again, it is up to us to tell our own stories and until gaming tribes ante up some serious money to invest in film productions that we truly have ownership in....
I am excited to see these films. Now have something of substance to offer my daughter (in addition to many wonderful books) that will help her understand what she is being taught in school isnt always what really happened in history. And, that her mother isnt just a crazy anti-establishment troublemaker...
Monday, Nov 24 at 11:45 AM Native Justice wrote ...
I really hope that these films are marketed and pushed into schools across America. It is so very important that children know and understand the "real" events of American history, and films such as these are key to that happening!
Monday, Nov 24 at 10:11 AM Sam Robertson wrote ...
I look forward to the films and will watch with much interest. I hope that there is present the difference between the European world view and the world views of the many cultures that will be the focus of the films. All Native American people's, in my oipinion, have been affected in one way or another from the old days til today, and the political aspect within all Native Lands and communities. I will encourage all of our staff here at Crow Creek Tribal Schools to watch, and hopefully, learn.
Monday, Nov 24 at 9:58 AM Timothy D. Orr (Scottish/ ? ) wrote ...
In my own opinion- it's about time! Several peoples have already tried to express the native way. I just hope one of these days the stories of our Grandfathers hits syndication!! One person I hope you can get ahold of is Joseph Peralez (Peoria , Il.). He has written @ tried to publish,his version,of " 500 Nations ". Thank You and be Well.
It's come a long ways from the days of Indians surrounding the wagon train, slapping their mouths whooping and saying "ugh" when talking to Caucasions. I hope some of the Indian military victories,other than the Little Big Horn, are shown.
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Sunday, Dec 7 at 9:50 PM cafmlndn wrote ...
Northern California during the gold rush is a horrific story which took place 160 years ago. It was my great-great grandmother who felt the impact. I hope that someday it can be told with the same earnestness of the Trail of Tears
13282379 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Friday, Dec 5 at 8:13 AM Quinaultbob wrote ...
My people were reduced from 4,000 to 110 by the year 1905... When Custer was defeated the war cry of the press was "A good Indian is a Dead Indian" later author of The Wizzard of Oz... Forced Assimilation - Genocide Mining of all natural resources on Indian Lands... The first law adopted by CA legislature upon stathehood was adoption law... allowed white settlers to go into indian villages shoot the parents and move into the family home the kids were now adopted can we portray that terroris
13181914 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:22 PM tina wrote ...
i wish you the best of luck.my mother was half cherokee.never knew her,or any part of that side of my family.from the age of 5 i always rooted for the indians on tv movies.at that time never knew about my mother until age 17.it explained a lot about how i feel about alot of things.even though i'm not full blood.my heart and soul are.the story of the white buffalo is coming true.i hope to see more of the true histoy.not what is taught in schools.again best of luck to you.
13117889 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:41 PM Little Bear (Ojibway) wrote ...
Yes! It's a good thing. After all, the vast majority of history books in the last 500 years have been written by non-Indians and NOT in the eyes of us Indian people who know the real truth. We were NEVER discovered! We were robbed of our land, religion, culture and language. We were lied to and taken advantage of, over and over. The next time someone says I should not have "special" rights as an Indian, I will tell them "ok" I agree if they return our land and leave this OUR Indian Country
13113384 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 12:58 PM John Bear wrote ...
Well, I guess it still holds true to from "the native perspective". I don't really see where PBS said that the Directors/Producers needed to be from the region being filmed. I think this is a great start to something that one day will the complete native perspective - heck, gotta start somewhere.
13098164 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 11:24 AM jbshirley wrote ...
It seems that the same ordeal of confliction are again, highlighted. There are so many other instances of victory, mayhem, and of being scammed. This is an opportunity to research, learn and teach ourselves and the public in general. However, I still applaud the efforts needed to create such a task. Hagoneeh. (walk in beauty)
13092734 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Monday, Dec 1 at 5:32 PM hartman deetz wrote ...
chjris eyers and sharon grimberg were compleatly demeaning and rude twoards the wampanoag people they asked to consult for them on episode 1 "king phillups war" they were insistant on once again focusing on the backstory- the pilgrims. they showed no respect for the intelectual property rights of the wampanoag language reclamation program. they insisted on defering credit from the wampanoag people who were to produce the wardrobe to white film union people. not the work, just the credit.
13007478 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Saturday, Nov 29 at 9:27 PM STEPHANIE wrote ...
Well I sure hope that it shows the whites that we dont live like they think we do I still get asked if I live in a tpee.
12939159 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Nov 26 at 9:39 AM oothham wrote ...
I can't get enough images of Indians in buckskins, keep them coming! Who cares about what Indians do in the modern world, that doesn't market as well as stereotyping! Thanks!
12831733 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Nov 25 at 4:50 PM lee ann wrote ...
okay, so this series is probably a good idea - but there are so many other stories, and the ones included in this series have been told over and over and over......the Califoria story needs to be told, for example. I am Dakota, but I live out here and the stories of survival for California tribes needs to be told as well. But then again, it is up to us to tell our own stories and until gaming tribes ante up some serious money to invest in film productions that we truly have ownership in....
12806128 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Nov 25 at 7:56 AM Fallingleaf8 wrote ...
I am excited to see these films. Now have something of substance to offer my daughter (in addition to many wonderful books) that will help her understand what she is being taught in school isnt always what really happened in history. And, that her mother isnt just a crazy anti-establishment troublemaker...
12777408 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Monday, Nov 24 at 11:45 AM Native Justice wrote ...
I really hope that these films are marketed and pushed into schools across America. It is so very important that children know and understand the "real" events of American history, and films such as these are key to that happening!
12737869 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Monday, Nov 24 at 10:11 AM Sam Robertson wrote ...
I look forward to the films and will watch with much interest. I hope that there is present the difference between the European world view and the world views of the many cultures that will be the focus of the films. All Native American people's, in my oipinion, have been affected in one way or another from the old days til today, and the political aspect within all Native Lands and communities. I will encourage all of our staff here at Crow Creek Tribal Schools to watch, and hopefully, learn.
12731714 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Monday, Nov 24 at 9:58 AM Timothy D. Orr (Scottish/ ? ) wrote ...
In my own opinion- it's about time! Several peoples have already tried to express the native way. I just hope one of these days the stories of our Grandfathers hits syndication!! One person I hope you can get ahold of is Joseph Peralez (Peoria , Il.). He has written @ tried to publish,his version,of " 500 Nations ". Thank You and be Well.
12730954 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Monday, Nov 24 at 8:44 AM goesh wrote ...
It's come a long ways from the days of Indians surrounding the wagon train, slapping their mouths whooping and saying "ugh" when talking to Caucasions. I hope some of the Indian military victories,other than the Little Big Horn, are shown.
12727159 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Add a comment
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