Navajo Indians Documentary "Between Two Worlds" Native Americans 85284 (1958)

Synopsis

This 1958 color film shows the Navajo Nation of the 1960s, with a postscript from the 1970s (:13). It’s “A Line on America” film presentation of “A People Between Two Worlds” (:50), produced by Francis and Helen Line. This largest Indian tribe lives on a reservation mostly in Arizona into New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado ( 1:18 ). Sheep provides resources and an income ( 1:50 - 2:08 ). Most of the 15 million acres are too barren, mountainous, or heavily forested ( 2:10 - 2:34 ). Only 4 acres in 1,000 have enough moisture for crops ( 2:41 ). Life revolves around the hogan home and ancient customs ( 2:48 - 3:42 ). Trading posts provide a place to barter ( 3:43 - 4:00 ), including pawning turquoise jewelry, worn regardless of the task ( 4:01 - 4:22 ). A baby is shown on a cradleboard ( 4:25 - 4:34 ). In spring, wind creates sandstorms ( 5:14 - 5:30 ). In summer, flash flooding destroys roads and bridges ( 5:32 - 5:49 ). The roads are hard on buckboard wheels ( 6:11 ). A woman weaves a colorful patterned rug ( 6:36 - 7:04 ). New resources include oil pumps, natural gas wells, and uranium mines. Processing plants built at the edge of the reservation provide jobs and royalty payments ( 7:05 - 8:15 ). Students attend school ( 8:20 - 8:30 ). Report cards are often signed by a parent’s thumbprint ( 8:30 - 8:40 ). In response, the US government built elementary (up to 6th grade) boarding schools where children live for 9 months, such as at Shiprock ( 8:43 - 9:40 ). The government also…

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Details

Running time

22 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage