Videos
Columbus Didn't Discover Us:
The 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's historic voyage to America also marked 500 years
of survival by indigenous people throughout the Americas, whose way of life was fundamentally
changed by the European landing. In preparation for the Columbus Quincentennial, 300 Native men
and women came to the highlands of Ecuador to take part in the First Continental Conference of
Indigenous Peoples. COLUMBUS DIDN'T DISCOVER US features interviews with participants, filmed at
this historic gathering, representing a wide spectrum of Indian nations from North, South, and
Central America. This documentary is a moving testimony about the impact of the Columbus legacy
on the lives of indigenous peoples from across the hemisphere. Native people speak about the
devastation of their cultures resulting from the "European invasion," contemporary struggles over
land and human rights, the importance of reviving spiritual traditions, and the need to alert the
world to the environmental crises threatening the survival of the planet.
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Indigenous Resistance: Conquering Columbus
The American Indian Movement, or AIM, began their campaign to end
the celebration of Columbus in 1992 in preparation for the 500th
anniversary of his landing. Since then, AIM and their allies have
protested Denver's Columbus Day parade every year in escalating
demonstrations. In October 2000, over 130 people were arrested
stopping the Columbus Day Parade.
The Sons of Italy, organizers of the Columbus Day Parade, hold their
parade every year and say that Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday.
They call attempts to stop the parade attacks on their First
Amendment rights to free speech.
In addition to protesting the parade, activists opposed to the
celebration of Columbus Day held their own Four Directions march.
This march began in the morning, at four different locations in
Denver. Each leg-North, South, East and West-- headed towards a
convergence point near the Capitol. The coming together of the four
directions represents the coming together of all the races of
humanity in order to achieve peace.
Free Speech TV was there all day bringing you the following report.
This is Free Speech TV's Special Report---Conquering Columbus....
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Sons of Italy
Two grown sons of Italian immigrants discuss the historical significance
of Columbus Day and Italian heritage. They are interviewed by FSTV's own
Shannon service.
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Grandma Speaks
Commentary on Columbus from an 86 year old elder.
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Russell Means
Means, a Nativa American living in South Dakota, discusses how his knowledge
of Columbus has changed since elementary school.
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Nita Gonzalez
Describes the impact of 1492 on Americans today.
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Glenn Morris and Troylynn Yellowwood
Discussions about the collective conscious, identity, and future of Native
American people.
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Rocks At Whiskey Trench
A painstakingly researched social document, Rocks at Whiskey Trench looks back at the events
leading up to and following the August 28 attack on Mohawk women, children and elders by a
rock-throwing mob. It also delves into the history of Kahnawake and how the community has been
harmed by the appropriations of land that have seen it shrink to a mere third of its original
size. As residents of Kahnawake look back, 10 years later, it is clear that time and healing
circles have helped close the wounds. But it will be a long time before anyone is willing to
forgive and forget.
Watch part 1
Watch part 2
In Whose Honor?
The Cleveland Indians. Washington Redskins. Atlanta Braves. What's wrong with American Indian
sports mascots? This moving, award-winning film is the first of its kind to address that subject.
"In Whose Honor?" takes a critical look at the long-running practice
of "honoring" American Indians as mascots and nicknames in sports. It
follows the story of Native American mother Charlene Teters, and her transformation
into the leader some are calling the "Rosa Parks of American Indians"
as she struggles to protect her cultural symbols and identity. "In Whose
Honor?" looks at the issues of racism, stereotypes, minority representation
and the powerful effects of mass-media imagery, and the extent to which
one university will go to defend and justify its mascot.
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Democracia Indigena
The film examines the indigenous rights revolution sweeping Mexico through the municipal
elections in Huehuetla, Puebla. In 1989, the Huehuetla Totonacs formed th Organization
Independiente Totonace (OIT), and joined in an electoral alliance with the Partido de la
Revolution Democratia (PRD). For ten years the OIT and the PRD carried out a non-violent
revolution. The visible signs of this Totonac renaissance are the health clinics, schools,
roads, drinking water and electricity available to everyone for the first time. But the
real change is in the new self-confidence and pride of the Totonacs themselves.
Watch
The Tribunal
In August, 1993, the United States was put on trial for crimes against
Kanaka Maoli, the native people of Hawai'i. An international panel of
jurists visited five Hawaiian islands to hear testimony on charges of
genocide, ethnocide, the annexation of a sovereign people without their
consent and the illegal appropriation of lands, water and natural resources.
Watch
Rocky Mountain Indy Media Center Documentary: The Four Directions
March
Columbus on Trial
In this political satire featuring the comedy trio Culture Clash, sharp
dialogue, physical comedy, and state-of-the-art video techniques are used
to dramatize a mock trial of Columbus in a present-day courtroom. With
a "Spanish-by-way-of-Mexico" judge presiding, Columbus on Trial hits on
the complexities of Latino identity in America while slicing into the
kitschy consumer icons and buzzwords that stand for racial and ethnic
identity in contemporary society. Claiming his achievements as bringing
the horse, the wheel, and Julio Iglesias to the New World, Columbus fights
for his symbolic life as the "discoverer" of America.
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Tenacity
The story of two Indian boys, Clint and Joseph who encounter the corruption
and haphazard violence of the adult world in a roadside hit-and-run accident.
Tenacity has the spare brutal elegance of a contemporary short story rendered
on film. Filmed in Onondaga Territory in upstate New York, this award
winning short of friendship and loss.
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