LIT 233: Native American Literature, Dr. Harsh Sharma: Films and Media

Family relationships are never simple. But Sherman Alexie's bond with his mother Lillian was more complex than most. She plunged her family into chaos with a drinking habit, but shed her addiction when it was on the brink of costing her everything. She survived a violent past, but created an elaborate facade to hide the truth. She selflessly cared for strangers, but was often incapable of showering her children with the affection that they so desperately craved. She wanted a better life for her son, but it was only by leaving her behind that he could hope to achieve it. It's these contradictions that made Lillian Alexie a beautiful, mercurial, abusive, intelligent, complicated, and very human woman.

With the end of the Civil War, the nation recommenced its expansion onto traditional Indian tribal lands, setting off a wide-ranging conflict that would last more than three decades. In an exploration of the wars and negotiations that destroyed tribal ways of life even as they made possible the emergence of the modern United States, Peter Cozzens gives us both sides in comprehensive and singularly intimate detail. He illuminates the encroachment experienced by the tribes and the tribal conflicts over whether to fight or make peace, and explores the squalid lives of soldiers posted to the frontier and the ethical quandaries faced by generals who often sympathized with their native enemies.

Rich landscapes, dramatic reenactments, historical photographs and haunting music combine to make this a compelling look inside some of the most powerful and honored tribes in American history: the Iroquois, Seminole, Navajo, Cheyenne, and Lakota Sioux.

For hundreds of years, Native American leaders from Massasoit, Tecumseh, and Tenskwatawa, to Major Ridge, Geronimo, and Fools Crow valiantly resisted expulsion from their lands and fought the extinction of their culture. Sometimes, their strategies were militaristic, but more often they were diplomatic, spiritual, legal and political.

Shows events that led to the conflict in 1877 between the Nez Perces and the U.S. Army. Chief Joseph led the 300 Nez Perce braves, their women and children in the historic running battle against ten separate commands of the Army.

A study of the Hopi that captures their deep spirituality and reveals their integration of art and daily life. Their philosophy of living in balance and harmony with nature is a model to the Western world of an environmental ethic in action.

A documentary on dangers of fracking and how the shale oil boom is adversely affecting Indian Country.

Segments on the Onondaga of New York State, the Navajo of Arizona, and the Lummi of Washington State focus on sovereignty, internal politics, administration of justice, and relations with the U.S. government. N. Scott Momaday hosts this program which looks at these Native American nations and the challenges they face as they try to preserve their cultures.

Arlene Logan of the Tonawanda Senecas, who frequently represents the elderly Clan Mother at meetings, explains who the Clan Mother is and what she does in her leadership role.