OUR FIRES STILL BURN

The documentary by Audrey Geyer is an exciting and compelling as it takes a contemporary view into the lives of the Native Americans in the U.S Midwest (Geyer, 2016). The documentary dispels the myth of the American Indians who have been seen to disappear from the American horizon and discloses how they have continued to persevere and heal from the past as they tackle the challenges of today society, adhere to their cultural practices and well as contribute greatly to the society. The experiences of the Native Americans have continued to shape the history of the Americans as it has continuously touched deeply both Natives and non-Natives. Their experiences have helped in building bridges of respect, understanding and communication.

Native American has a tragic history that has been considered by many to be “American Holocaust”. During this time the Native American children were forcibly taken away from their homes and were confined to boarding schools. This situation did not only cause situation trauma to the children but it was negatively impacting their physical and emotional health (Geyer, 2016). This led to social problems to all the society members. As a way of overcoming the historical trauma, the Native Americans reclaimed their cultural and spiritual identity which has shaped its history. The healing process was characterized with sacred fire in the healing ceremony (Mihesuah, 2013).

As a way of strengthening the history the Native Americans journalist, artist, advocates and businessman have shared their ancestral teachings fostering diversity and creativity to all natives and non-Natives. They have also inspired, educated and initiated social change that will be remembered by the next seven generation. Despite the stories of assimilation and sadness over the years the community of Native American has given way to cultural preservation and pride (Geyer, 2016). A high rate of substance abuse, depression, and suicide among the Native men was witnessed. During this time there were few social programs that were being implemented in order to facilitate the healing process. However, this has changed with time as there were many programs initiated in order to tackle with the high numbers of the victims. This has shaped not only the society but also the country in that there have focused on all the members whether native or non-Native for the well-being of the society (Mihesuah, 2013).

The resilience of the Native American has continued to embrace their culture more. This is because they were ready to come together and overcome the trying moments. The fire keeper in the documentary explains that there was a meaning behind each ceremony in which the results would exemplify the struggle of the Native Americans to thrive despite the adversity (Mihesuah, 2013). As history has it the horrors of both personal and cultural loss among the indigenous Americans has suffered in a way that it is impossible to quantify but through their voices, they have been able to collectively urge their people that not to succumb to the burdens that have been imposed on them.

In conclusion, the opening of the narration in the history view Indians are justified in can be justified in anger. However anger should not be allowed to destroy anyone and instead, it should be used and turned into something that can benefit and work on behalf of the future generations. Therefore history has been shaped by the experiences and the lives of the Native American that can be used for future reference in order to avoid such pain, trauma and even death to such people as it can be prevented.

 

Reference

Geyer, A. (2016). Our Fires Still Burn. Retrieved from http://www.ourfiresstillburn.com/about-the-film

Mihesuah, D. A. (2013). American Indians: Stereotypes & realities. Atlanta, GA: Clarity.