While the public at large is asked to celebrate a very Eurocentric account of history as relates to the Native American population, we’d like to invite you to take a look at the perspective shared in this documentary, available online thanks to The Internet Archive:
Narrated by Peter Coyote, this film is OSCAR-nominated, EMMY-winning, filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman’s latest documentary. “RECLAIMING Their VOICE” follows Native Americans in New Mexico taking a stand against injustice in the political process. Personal stories demonstrate how minority communities are using their voting rights as they participate more fully in elections. These stories capture a microcosm of growing awareness and activism which is taking root across the United States. In addition to documenting the Native American suffrage movement historically, the film follows a groundbreaking project led by the Laguna, NM Native community. Their efforts lead to significant positive changes in New Mexico state election law.
This story serves as a model for how other minority populations throughout the U.S. can work together to make sure they can cast their votes and that their votes will be counted.This film documents:
- The Pueblo Revolt (1680)
- Wounded Knee (1890)
- The Sacred Alliance for Grassroots Equality’s fight to protect
- The sacred art of the Petroglyph National Monument
- The Pueblo of Laguna’s 500 Voter Project
- The passage of legislation to ensure greater election security for Native Americans
- The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People