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Share your thoughts about the HBO Films production, BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/2/07
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(82 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE (answer me please!!!)
Dec 2, 2007 11:17 AM
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Hi, I am from Czech republic and I had been waiting for this film too. Unfortunately, nothing happened, nobody knows this film and finally, I had to download it from the Internet. It is worth seeing, believe me! I hope you will be lucky and Italy will published it.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
11/23/07
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(81 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE (answer me please!!!)
Nov 23, 2007 3:15 AM
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Hi...I'm an italian girl, I'm 21 and I live in Milan.
I'd like to know if this movie will be published in my country too, I'm reading the book and I'm loving it...I love all about natives and I'd like to watch this movie....hope it will be possible for me!!!
Best Wishes,
Giulia
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Posts:
1
Registered:
7/21/07
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(80 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jul 21, 2007 3:24 PM
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This movie impacted me, personally, as it led me to dig further into my own cultural past and the impact that my Great-Great Grandfather--Dr. Charles A. Eastman/Ohiyesa--had on those around him, and on those that came long after him, regarding Native American culture and what it meant to be a Native American in the early 1900's.
I now have more to share besides the book with my own children.
Thank you, HBO! 
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Posts:
1
Registered:
7/19/07
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(79 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jul 19, 2007 8:36 PM
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Let me preface my comment with the fact that I am not an Indian.
I had the opportunity to be in Pine Ridge, SD for 2 1/2 weeks working at the Pine Ridge Indian Hospital providing anesthesia.
I found the people there very friendly and gracious. One afternoon, I traveled to the village of Wounded Knee to view the monument to the massacre. I was appalled at it's condition. Steps to the monument were almost non-existent because of erosion. The weeds obscured the graves, animals had burrowed into the mounds and remembrances were scattered. A few Indian lads were there trying to repair the steps, but had quite a chore ahead of them. I gave them all the money I had in my purse and told them to buy what they could to finish the job. They told me the BIA would not give them any money to improve the site. I think it is disgraceful that a hallowed place in our history is left to deteriorate. Is there anything we can do?
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Posts:
4
Registered:
6/13/07
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(78 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 27, 2007 1:25 AM
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HBO has brought up a culture that is not talked about a lot in the public eye. I am a promoter of cultural diversity and sharing. I am a Kiowa/Comanche Indian who Stands Straight and Tall Because I am Proud Of Who I am.. Native Americans are mostly negative in their way of thinking. A lot of us still carry bitterness and hostility and even anger when the facts are not totally right when our story is told. Each one of us Indians have our own story to tell. I do.
History books are there to read. Take it or leave it. We have always relied on our history being passed down orally. We need to become more open in our own family circles and start sharing and writing down our own experiences. I am doing that. I am 48. I have a lot to share.
There are good history books out there. cuqueen
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Posts:
1
Registered:
6/21/07
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(77 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 21, 2007 1:23 AM
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Good Day To Everyone:
As an major Advocate for many issues. I felt in my soul that what ever what was felt by each and everyone of you had a serious impact that you felt a need to share with all of us, your knowledge and wisdom. Whether you liked or did not like the movie it gave us a moment to bring out our feelings to move us to comment. It brought us to mind that even today the injustice of this world toward all of mankind. No one has been left out. This movie was to bring all of us a kindly reminder of what happen in the past or to be had in the future. Truth or not it stirs those who knew the back ground and those who did not a beginning to learn about people and ourselves. Each of our minds flowed volumns of what we can do in the future and what we can say to one another. "I am sorry." Each witness though out the world has a vision of what they felt that happen. If it is a writer of a novel, or a story teller that passes there thought of what they were told though the eyes and ears of their families gave each of us a moment of visual awarkening. I do have a heart and I cried whether it was true or not, I felt I learn a lesson of gradiute toward those who brought it to us in a book or movie. For those who really know please put your love of your culture down for all of us to share with all the children of this world, not a selected few. Show us your taste of what has happen in history that we all can view the language of a witness to form our visions of why and how come these horrible things happen today in our country or somewhere else. Next time you look apond a person that is less fortunate forgive yourselves for not having the knowledge to understand what happen to that culture or person that put them there. Time for peace, never forget the lessons of our past, they are lesson to learn from to be able to continue to live so that we may continue to change those who do not understand or who do not want to know due to not having knowledge. May each and everyone of you write down your feelings to give once again those who taught you to read and write or even to speak the language they were given. No matter what disablitily you might think someone has in your right and left brain, give yourself time to heal and give your self out in your community with an open heart and don't bury it will foolish mistery.
As you walk and talk to someone next time, listen carefully to there words, that person might be you, that did not take note of the local injustice that we have to face each day. Free your self from the chains that make you want to response to each and every social issues that might come before you. As I am quoted "You don't get it." Now to the next educational lesson that I may learn as well as you. The music was beautiful. I even cried in the movie special. Like I do even with Lassie. Thank you teachers of the world and peacemakers. Including each group of hard working mentors. Arts, Science, Math, and house keepers. Volunteer your time and get a Free college or university education from it. Lessons are memories. Memories give up maturity. hugs Advocate for all the people.
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Posts:
56
Registered:
4/9/07
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(76 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 20, 2007 8:13 AM
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> rmchief50ret
> As a History Teacher, I have presented this movie to
> my classes.
> It is a good thing for you to use this movie to teach
> your students... IF you also have them read the book
> for themselves. Please, offer them two views, if for
> no other reason than to get them thinking on their
> own. There is the matter of balance to always be
> considered.
> And by the way, a good place to start would be
> telling them that 1. the author of the book, Dee
> Brown, was NOT a woman, and 2. Dee Brown was NOT an
> "american indian" (or any other kind for that
> matter).
> And teach them this. When studying history, as in
> the written word, so much of the truth is lost.
> Explain to them that the tribes of long ago had no
> written language. Their history was passed on in oral
> tradition. But more importantly than that, when the
> whites came along and starting recording it with
> THEIR words, there were two major problems. The
> first being CONCEPTS... ways of thinking, seeing
> things and more were one way to the indian and
> another to the wasichu. A good example is "owning the
> land" as shown in the movie. Lakota had no concept
> of this... it was not possible to "own" Mother Earth.
> But this is just ONE example... there are so many,
> , many more. So, joined to the idea of "concept",
> this made translation by interpreters very
> difficult, sometimes with distastrous results.
> Whether the interpreter was white or indian, ALOT
> T was lost or even twisted (perhaps UNintentinaly)
> the intent of the speaker. As to actual events,
> well... there's always gonna be two sides to the
> telling of it by the ones who witnessed it... the
> soldiers and the indians. As one who has been taught
> that our words are sacred, it's obvious which ones I
> believe more.
> Anyway, this is just a VERY brief suggestion on my
> part to you, there is not enough room here to explain
> all that should be told to help your students avoid
> the pitfalls so many fall into when reading all the
> books out there written by some who just take bits
> and pieces of others books THEY'Ve read and put them
> together, and do some embellishing of their own.
> I wish you well on your journey of teaching, it is a
> great responsibilty, and trust you will do whatever
> you can to provide them with enough material to get
> them to think in a simple way (ok, ok, I'll save
> "natural law" for another time... it is late and my
> eyes grow weary).
> Tok'sa ake ~
How exactly do you think it is appropriate to offer students 2 "different" views of a real event in history? Would you do that if you were talking about the 6 million jews killed during WW2? This movie is hardly a lesson on the theft of Indian land and culture by the white man. Give students the book.....tell them to skip the movie, and let them know that when one is talking about reality....there is only one perspective...the cold hard truth! Or you can give them the movie if you choose, and tell them to add it to the list of the other bogus "history" we have been force fed during our grammar school, and high school years! They still teach kids that Columbus "discovered" America, after first proving that the earth was "round"! They teach our kids about the great men who wrote the constitution, and the bill of rights, but leave out the fact that most of them were active slave owners when they signed it, and that blacks were not included, and had no rights. I'm sorry to say this, but I am not impressed by any history teacher! All that means is that they take lies, written by powerfull white men 2 centuries ago, and they pass it along to students as fact! Teachers do a disservice to students,when they teach them that Thomas Jefferson was a great man, but they fail to also tell them, that he owned slaves himself. This movie is an insult to the book, and to the Indians it is supposed to be about.
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Edited by giantfan58 at 06/20/2007 7:41 AM
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Edited by giantfan58 at 06/20/2007 7:43 AM
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Posts:
3
Registered:
6/2/04
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(75 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 18, 2007 10:20 PM
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rmchief50ret
As a History Teacher, I have presented this movie to my classes.
It is a good thing for you to use this movie to teach your students... IF you also have them read the book for themselves. Please, offer them two views, if for no other reason than to get them thinking on their own. There is the matter of balance to always be considered.
And by the way, a good place to start would be telling them that 1. the author of the book, Dee Brown, was NOT a woman, and 2. Dee Brown was NOT an "american indian" (or any other kind for that matter).
And teach them this. When studying history, as in the written word, so much of the truth is lost. Explain to them that the tribes of long ago had no written language. Their history was passed on in oral tradition. But more importantly than that, when the whites came along and starting recording it with THEIR words, there were two major problems. The first being CONCEPTS... ways of thinking, seeing things and more were one way to the indian and another to the wasichu. A good example is "owning the land" as shown in the movie. Lakota had no concept of this... it was not possible to "own" Mother Earth. But this is just ONE example... there are so many, many more. So, joined to the idea of "concept", this made translation by interpreters very difficult, sometimes with distastrous results. Whether the interpreter was white or indian, ALOT was lost or even twisted (perhaps UNintentinaly) the intent of the speaker. As to actual events, well... there's always gonna be two sides to the telling of it by the ones who witnessed it... the soldiers and the indians. As one who has been taught that our words are sacred, it's obvious which ones I believe more.
Anyway, this is just a VERY brief suggestion on my part to you, there is not enough room here to explain all that should be told to help your students avoid the pitfalls so many fall into when reading all the books out there written by some who just take bits and pieces of others books THEY'Ve read and put them together, and do some embellishing of their own.
I wish you well on your journey of teaching, it is a great responsibilty, and trust you will do whatever you can to provide them with enough material to get them to think in a simple way (ok, ok, I'll save "natural law" for another time... it is late and my eyes grow weary).
Tok'sa ake ~
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Posts:
4
Registered:
6/13/07
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(74 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 18, 2007 8:19 PM
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I hear you Paintedpony. I am constantly being told by white people to "get over the Past", you are in the present. How can we get "over-it" when their is no total resolvement. A lot of Indian people are still carrying their bitterness towards the U.S. Govt. Both my maternal grandmother and my own father attended Indian boarding schools. I still hear their stories of the past, my grandmothers' are in my dreams. She died as the oldest living full-blooded Comanche Indian at age 98 in 1995. My father is 70 years young and still full of energy.
Eat red meat!!!
We as an Indian people are still struggling with our identities and the past. Our time will come. Lu-Lu-Lu-Lu
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Posts:
4
Registered:
6/13/07
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(73 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 18, 2007 7:55 PM
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To rmchief50R,
It's not about divide and conquer, it's about conquer and control. I was married to the Army, high ranking brass. I know how they operate. This current war in Iraq from the US is about taking control. Showing power at no expense by the U.S. Government. I was chastised during my career as an Army Officer's wife because I spoke my thoughts. That is a no-no if you want to advance your husband's military career. I am now divorced from this West Pointer I married.
U.S. history is very important. I am now re-reading history books because of the current war situation, a civil war with outside, extreme terrorists riding on it's coat tails. President George W. Bush went in to finish the job his dad couldn't do; capture Saddam Hussein.He accomplished that. Why continue and use our own kids to fight his war. Let those countries alone, they do not want us there. U.S. is considered "over-intrusive". Other cultures, nations see that as conquering. Use of Power and Control. Let's leave those nations alone and let them fight their own war.
cuqueen
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Posts:
1
Registered:
6/18/07
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(72 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 18, 2007 12:30 PM
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As a History Teacher, I have presented this movie to my classes. I have studied Native American History and believe that this truly was one of the worst times in American History. However, it follows the historical paths of dividing and conquering. "Manifest Destiny" was an interesting concept - unfortunately, there were already people living there. Those moving westward believed the political and religious propaganda regarding the "heathens" and "savages" living on those lands. Besides the TV mini-series, "Centennial", Costner's, "Dances With Wolves", or "Last of the Dogmen", this HBO presentation is, in my opinion, the very best depiction of the demise of the great Sioux nation. Unfortunately, we have still not learned to understand and accept those cultures that do not coincide with our own. The general focus of my student's comments was that we still have not figured it out. I hope that the students will retain their interest and explore these magnificent people, people who perhaps knew more about life, family, religion, and the environment than we have yet to discover. I would love to see HBO research Chief Joseph next. WELL DONE HBO.
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Edited by rmchief50ret at 06/18/2007 9:34 AM
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Posts:
3
Registered:
6/2/04
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(71 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 17, 2007 12:44 PM
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Here is what is happening as a result of this movie...
This past week my boss came up to me and said he had finally watched "that movie". We weren't long into a discussion of it when this person, who knows almost NOTHING of the true history, began to argue with me about things represented as they were in the film. Try as I may to explain to him the truth, he is now one of millions who must think "well that's the way it must be because I saw the movie". He could not (or did not WANT to) fathom the horror inflicted by the whites, and has no clue how it still goes on today in so many ways, despite what I tell him.
Now to get off of that, if anyone is interested, click on the "resources" button on the films main page and check out the Spirit Riders clip and foundation. I urge anyone who is able to, to act on the Lakota virtue of generosity. I believe it to be a worthy cause, as so many in this thread know the truth must be told by THE PEOPLE themselves who are in the film industry.
Oh, and while I'm here... it seems that some words by the movies producer that were here long before the movie was on have disappeared lol. He admitted to doing alot of "hand holding" for the white audience etc etc. Must've gone into File 13... along with all the treaties.
Mitakuye Oyas'in
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Edited by Paintedpony at 06/17/2007 9:53 AM
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Posts:
4
Registered:
6/13/07
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(70 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 13, 2007 10:05 PM
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I have been watching "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" every time I catch it on HBO or "On Demand". Whether or not the details are correct, it shows the struggles and injustices that the Indians went through during this time period and an indication to the fact that Indians still go through the struggles today because of false and broken treaties of the past and and being forced to become "White" by the U.S. Government using trickery. I am a Kiowa-Comanche originally from Oklahoma, recently divorced by a White Man of 23 years, who happens to be a COL(R) Army West Pointer. I am currently a displaced ex-military spouse, left stranded in Illinois.
I always found honor and respect in military warriors who defend our great land. I always supported my ex-husband's career until I saw how politics governed our personal life. Because he did not make General Officer, he blamed me, the Native American wife, for destroying his career. He told me I need to go back across the border where I belong.
I was a victim of abuse by this man. But I stayed with him this long because I believed in him. I grew up with 3 brothers so I knew how to take care of myself. He ended up trying to destroy me in our divorce. I felt it was the U.S. Government vs. the Indian again.
I currently own 40 acres of my late Comanche grandmother's allotment. It keeps dividing through each generation. My land is designated as farming and grazing land; I cannot build a home on it to be close to my aging parents.
In 1976, I was crowned the first Native American Football Homecoming Queen at my University in my freshman year, fresh off the Wounded Knee/Pine Ridge Incident. AIM, The American Indian Movement was on the rise. I remember several years back in high school aluminum cans and trash being thrown at my cousins and I while walking down Main Street in my small hometown in SW Oklahoma because of fear of the Natives. The sheriff even put out a 6:00 p.m. curfew.
I had gone on promoting my American Indian culture while continuing my college education. I wore numerous Indian Princess Titles and was 3rd Runner-Up in the Miss Indian Oklahoma Pageant. Perseverance and being a survivor has instinctly pushed me on to conquer and accomplish. I am a warrior deep inside. The white man has not conquered my Indian spirit. 15 years ago I had completed 14 half-marathons and approx. 36 10km runs, most done in Hawaii. (I have proof). I am educated and still have my Native American roots and cultural heritage. I am currently an educator in the Boy Scout Merit Badge Program. My only son is an Eagle Scout. Cheryl Taptto
P.S.: Would Like to chat with the actors in this film. Always had a crush on Aidan Quinn.
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Posts:
19
Registered:
2/14/05
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(69 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 11, 2007 9:21 PM
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the ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide continues. I am on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I do not have HBO. They did a ''premiere'' in Rapid City weeks ago, but none of us knew about it. Only the HBO execs and celebrities and cast members and the corrupt heads of tribal government knew about it. A friend sent it to me on dvd and I watched it last night. Despicable. If you know the book, about the only thing in this film resembling the book is the title. How Dee Brown let this happen is beyond me.
This was a ''white wash'' I actually thought our story may finally be told, but alas, I was wrong.
So much was wrong, so many lies in this film, but then again, it is not surprising.
Where to begin? Let's see...Red Cloud was NOT an old blind grey haired man in 1876 NOR in 1890. Red Cloud was NOT a ''humble'' chief and sold out by touching the white man's pen , nor was Red Cloud a negotiator of the 1868 treaty. He did not even show up until months after the treaty was negotiated at Fort Laramie.
Sitting Bull was not some little vain guy with an ego the size of the GReat Plains, which is how he was portrayed in this ''film'' He was a great orator, warrior and holy man of the people. He did not want the white man's ''civilization'' He was the last Lakota to surrender, but only for the good of the people. Then, like Crazy Horse, he was murdered by the U.S and his own people.
The landscape, the dress, the lanquage was all wrong. The Ghost Dance was not portrayed nor explained correctly, and the very fact that they still portray what happened on Dec 29, 1890 at Wounded Knee Creek as a ''battle'' and not the massacre that it was just perpetuates the lies. There was no ''deaf'' man. There was no ''first shot by the lakotas'' My grandpa's grandma was there. So were many other survivors. A priest called all the people together, they thought it was for a meal, and once all together, the guns and cannons went off. It was Custer's 7th Cavalry's revenge for the Little Bighorn. They were all drunk. Funny how none of that is mentioned or shown by HBO. Nor did they mention the journey of Chief Big Foot's people, who were the real ones slaughtered at Wounded Knee. Big Foot, who had pnuemonia at the time, and his people were trying to get to Pine Ridge to surrender peacefully. They traveled by foot, with no food or warm clothes, thru a brutal winter in the Badlands. Children and elders were dying along the way. They were intercepted a few miles from Wounded Knee by the Cavalry, then massacred the next day.
I could go on and on. The very fact they made this film look like the U.S were ''just trying to help the poor indians''is just more of the same pablum for Joe Blow America to see and believe.
When they showed Red Cloud and Sitting Bull walking arm in arm together out that court room, I could hear my ancestors writhing in pain. Or laughter. That never in a million years would have, could have ever happened. It did not.
HBO should be ashamed. The writer of this script should be ashamed. Adam Beach should be ashamed. Please I beg of anyone reading this to not believe anything in this film.It is not ''history'' It is cheese-whiz for the masses and another cheap shot at the Lakotas.
Just the second coming of the same 'ol cavalry.
Wakan Tanka ninci u wo
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Posts:
40
Registered:
1/28/03
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(68 of 82)
Re: BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Jun 11, 2007 7:28 PM
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In working briefly within an education environment, I basically explained to my charges that if you cannot read or write, you are pretty much doomed to "accepting" whatever life dictates to you as opposed having more opportunities to shape life to your liking. For the resistant few, I reminded them that they were lucky to be in one of the few places in the world where they could make the sound choice to be illiterate ... which won me no favors of course.
IMHO all the parents who defend their "special needs" children to the point of exempting base skills aren't doing them any favors, but they are helping to extend the work-force viability of several others (myself included) because many of them truly cannot think themselves out of a paper bag (with or without GPS). Even the best of Business & Technology (which is the excuse for permitting tech-use) still requires generally accepted language for communication.
That was really branching off the topic.
HBO attempted to create a movie to capture one of the darkest things that America has done to fulfill its "manifest destiny." I don't think they did that poorly, but I did expect more. It's highly unlikely that they would appeal to everyone's feelings about the book and about the time.
It was a first try (over thirty-five years since publication?). I credit HBO because its obvious after that much time that everyone else had no "balls" as some have said and they at least have little ones. Perhaps a second try will fare another production company better with critics and audiences. But only interest, persistence, and the potential of $ will make that happen.
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