Backbone of the world /
"Set amid the majestic splendor of the northern Rockies, this ... documentary interweaves two ... parallel stories: film director George Burdeau's journey home to live and work on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his tribe's determined struggle to protect its sacred lands and forge a ne...
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| Online Access: |
Full text (MCPHS users only) |
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| Other Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Electronic Video |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Berkeley, CA :
Berkeley Media,
1998
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | "Set amid the majestic splendor of the northern Rockies, this ... documentary interweaves two ... parallel stories: film director George Burdeau's journey home to live and work on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his tribe's determined struggle to protect its sacred lands and forge a new identity. Literally backed up against a wall, the Blackfeet Reservation lies in the great shadow of the northern Rocky Mountains--known to the tribe as 'the backbone of the world.' An area called Badger Two Medicine, a 130,000-acre tract of treaty land, was recently opened for oil drilling by the U.S. Forest Service. An important spiritual retreat for the Blackfeet people, the Badger Two Medicine lands are now threatened by water contamination and the inevitable destruction of plants used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Producer Pamela Roberts and director George Burdeau developed a four-year working relationship with the Blackfeet community, collaborating with tribal elders, government officials, and local Blackfeet videographers. Continuing the tradition of elders before him, veteran filmmaker Burdeau took on the role of mentor by teaching his craft to three young Blackfeet filmmakers, enabling them to pass on tribal stories with a fresh perspective. Under Burdeau's guidance, the young filmmakers give new voice to the Blackfeet saga by intertwining the ancient tribal account of Scarface--whose healing journey gave the Blackfeet their religious traditions--with the contemporary crisis facing the community over the Badger Two Medicine despoliation. 'Backbone of the world' illustrates that today the Blackfeet live in two worlds, modern America and the Blackfeet Nation. At risk is the language, religion, art, and remaining land belonging to a Native tribe that survived a smallpox epidemic in the late 19th century, and is now besieged by the encroachment of the dominant American culture. The inevitable disenfranchisement of Blackfeet youth is apparent. As one elder recounts, 'Youngsters don't know the wilderness, just downtown.' 'Backbone of the world' ... explores the Blackfeet perspective on their culture, environment, and quest for tribal survival in the 21st century"--Publisher's website. |
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| Item Description: | Full screen. |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (1 video file (56 min., 56 sec.)) : sound, color |
| Playing Time: | 00:56:56 |
| Production Credits: | Editor, Phil Lucas ; cinematography, Ed George, Emiko Omori ; music composed and performed by Greg Ives ; Blackfeet music, Spotted Eagle Singers, Anthony Yellow Owl. |
| Participant or Performer: | Galen Schrick, narration. |
| Language: | In English; closed-captioned. |
| Source of Description, Etc. Note: | Description based on online resource; title from title frame (Alexander Street, viewed March 19, 2021). |
