'Thunderheart' speaks to the warrior heart

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Tansi, ahnee and hello. There's a warrior heart that beats in Indian country. It beats in rhythm, with the earth for that is the source of its power. On mornings like this, after coffee with family and friends, that beat is strong, incessant, enduring.

We watched a film called Thunderheart. For me, it seems like the kind of movie that should be seen by every Native person who really seeks to know themselves. More than anything Thunderheart is about that very warrior heart I feel in the morning motions around me.

It's based on true events that happened during the mid-70s on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The Sioux nation there was embroiled in a tense battle

of political wills between agencies of the U.S. government and their tribal authority. It would eventually erupt in the 58-day stand off at Wounded Knee and the emergence

of the American Indian Movement as a prime move for Native rights.

The government had enabled certain factions on the reservation to become somewhat vigilante. The "goon squad" as it was referred to, went to great extremes to discount the activities and motivations of the traditionalists, AIM and the tribal council.

Although the film skips light over these happenings, it can be seen in the volatile confrontations that are a big part of the emotional impact of Thunderheart.

It concerns itself mostly with the coming to consciousness of a mixed-blood FBI agent who is sent to the reservation to quell the apparent uprising of a militant group. As Hollywood stories go, it's an average return-to-roots, drama, but as a cultural and historical launching pad, Thunderheart is a must-see film for any Native people concerned about their people.

Because it's based on fact. When AIM leader Dennis Banks' face is seen in the background during a powwow scene, it's as an unspoken affirmation of the film's worth and acceptability.

Coupled with the fact that AIM organizer/writer/musician John Trudell plays a virtual rewrite of himself, it says much about the validity of the story.

Taken as just another Hollywood production, it's still a worthwhile evening at the movies. But there's more here than just gloss and shine.

When the tip-off comes at the beginning that this is indeed based on true events, it should act as a motivator for Native people to check out the real story. The events that occurred in the mid-70s, late 60s period aren't isolated historical conversation pieces. To

a great degree, they are still happening in the 90s.

But as the old saying goes, if we don't learn from history, we're condemned to watch it repeat itself, or something along those lines.

Looking around us, we can see the subversive actions of governments everywhere. The Lubicon are still on hold for their land claim while other newly created bands are settling in on their newly created reserves. The James Bay Cree still cling to their struggle to preserve the natural habitat of northern Quebec and our national leaders fight the political fight to have our inherent right to govern ourselves defined and enshrined in the country's national document.

The fact that justice is being denied on just these three fronts is enough to tell us that there is much need for this warrior heart to continue beating.

Films like Thunderheart should direct us to search out the truth about our own political history. The fact that all this happened 20 years ago is a moot point in the face

of such political malfeasance occurring right now. History will always be our greatest teacher and Thunderheart should reawaken us to ours.

Because there is a warrior heart in Indian country. Our people have withstood

the physical invasions of our lands and the subtle more insidious invasions of our minds, bodies and spirits. We have survived to fight even greater fights.

But if history is not to repeat itself, we need to look at it, understand and use it to create a positive future. Films like Thunderheart are enormous sign-posts. So don't wait for the video, ee it now.

Oh, and that warrior heart? It still beats out there and always will as long as the people are willing to keep it strong no matter what.

And the beat goes on. Until next week, Meegwetch.