Category Archives: News

Chevron Demands Crude Footage

I had not considered the ways that socially committed films might put directors and other collaborators at risk but I recently read about Chevron demanding that director Joe Berlinger hand over footage of his documentary, Crude, which I wrote about back in August 2009. For more information, see the articles below.

Carroll, Rory. “Chevron oil demands Crude filmmaker hand over unseen footage.” The Guardian. April 29, 2010.

Merin, Jennifer. “Joe Berlinger Update: In Court Over Crude, On Assignment for Oprah Winfrey.” About.com Guide to Documentaries April 26, 2010.

Mohawk Identity in Kahnawake

The debate over Mohawk identity in Kahnawake in Montreal, Canada was not on my radar until I watched the documentary Club Native, which I liked so much.  I’ve recently read several articles about this issue (thanks to posts by Kendra Kennedy on H-AMINDIAN@H-NET.MSU.EDU) which I’m linking to below.

A potential reversal of the “second generation cut-off” rule which limits interracial Mohawk membership to the grandchildren of Mohawk male and non-Mohawk female unions could result in a doubling of the population in Kahnawake and has set off a flurry of eviction notices to mixed race couples. Although the above regulation seems to favor Mohawk men who partner with non-Mohawk women, one of the articles notes that even young Mohawk men are raised knowing that if they marry out, they will be made to move out. Although the idea of evicting mixed race couples or denying Mohawk identity to children of mixed unions seems inhumane and extreme, and although some Mohawks argue that the evictions are culturally incongruous since outsiders have historically been allowed to integrate into Mohawk culture, the issue is problematized by internal fears that the space and rights that Mohawks have as a group will be undermined as more and more non-Mohawks are allowed to live in Kahnawake. This battle is sad, especially having watched Club Native and the effect that these measures of exclusivity which are based on blood quantum and not other more authentic expressions of identity, has had on various people, including those who are so commited to maintaining Mohawk culture. The entire debate is also really interesting in terms of trying to pin down a sometimes nebulous label like identity which is defined in different ways by different people. I’m currently working on my thesis which discusses native dress as an aspect of identity and it’s really interesting to see the ways that clothing’s significance changes even within a given historical period and how contemporary events influence these changes. The historical nature of these types of debates are also instructive. One of the articles notes that these evictions have had occured sporadically in the past, going all the way back to at least the late 19th century. Were these types of panics resurface each time native rights were perceived to be threatened? Really interesting and difficult questions.

Hubert Bauch. “Kahnawake band council meddles in people’s love lives, critics charge,” The Montreal Gazette. February 9, 2010.

Cornacchia, Cheryl. “’If you marry out, you move out’; Evictions; Couples ‘should have known better’.” The Montreal Gazette. February 11, 2010.

Hoss, Fabrice. “Mohawks kick non-aboriginals off lands in Quebec.” Taiwan News. March 3, 2010.

“Mohawk tribe evicts non-natives.” Public Radio International. March 8, 2010.

“Federal law could boost population, add tension on Quebec reserve.” Canwest News Service, March 23, 2010.

Reel Injun: New Doc on Portrayals of Indians

I just read an article — Monk, Katherine. “Doc Sees Humour in Sadness.” Leader-Post, Canwest News Service. February 17, 2010. — on Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s take on Avatar. That’s how I found out about his new documentary, “Reel Injun,” which focuses on the portrayal of natives on film. It looks like it’s only been released in Canada but I hope it makes it down south so I can watch and post about it here. If you’re up north, let me know what you think!

2010 “Emerging Artist” Nominee: Georgina Lightning

I just read that Georgina Lightning has been nominated for a 2010 EPIC Award in the “Emerging Artists” category by the White House Project. I actually haven’t checked out her award-winning film, “Older than America” because I was watching “Club Native” at the NMAI Film Festival opening night. But, I did get a chance to hear Lightning speak as a panelist. “Older than America” just became available On Demand on the IFC Channel, so check it out if you can. I will, too. In the meantime, here’s a clip from YouTube. Voting for the “Emerging Artitsts” award closes at closes on March 22, 2010 at 11:59pm. For more information on the award and movie, check out:

Shining Elk, Michelle R. ‘Older than America,’ Georgina Lightning receive nom for emerging artist award. Native American Times. March 21, 2010.