AGAINST THE CURRENT | A Short Documentary About the Culture of Indigenous People | BYkids

Summary

The video script tells the story of Mona, a 17-year-old from the Omaha Indian Reservation, as she navigates her cultural heritage and contemporary life. It highlights her preparation for a feathering ceremony, a significant rite of passage, and explores the community's struggles with historical trauma, substance abuse, and unemployment. Mona's journey is interwoven with her family's experiences, including her grandmother's boarding school history and her own modeling career that celebrates indigenous identity. The script also touches on the importance of cultural practices in healing and the resilience of the Omaha people, culminating in a powwow that symbolizes community, tradition, and hope.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker, Done at Mona's Rayom, is a 17-year-old from the Omaha Indian Reservation who is proud of her heritage and wants to share the beauty of her culture.
• 🎬 She is creating a film to showcase the struggles and resilience of her community, aiming to educate others about the realities faced by indigenous people.
• 🪶 The feathering ceremony is a significant rite of passage, symbolizing the earning of the right to wear an eagle feather, which represents fallen soldiers.
• 🏡 Life on the reservation is depicted as challenging, with limited activities and job opportunities, leading to a sense of struggle and weariness among the residents.
• 👪 The community faces issues of self-worth, with people not recognizing their strength and power as they once did, which is a source of pain for the speaker.
• 🎭 The speaker's modeling work and public appearances, such as in Teen Vogue, are ways she advocates for her culture and gains recognition for indigenous representation.
• 🧵 Cultural practices like smudging and making regalia are used as healing methods, particularly for those dealing with PTSD or other traumas.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of cultural resilience and the need to break the cycle of historical trauma that has been passed down through generations.
• 🌾 Powwows are described as a time of celebration, community gathering, and a connection to ancestral traditions, serving as a source of strength and identity.
• 📣 The script conveys a strong message of empowerment, urging indigenous people to be heard, to be resilient, and to take an active role in making positive changes for their communities.

Q & A

What is the significance of a feathering ceremony in the Omaha tribe?

A feathering ceremony is a rite of passage into adulthood in the Omaha tribe, symbolizing the individual's growth and readiness to take on responsibilities within the community.

Why are eagle feathers important in the Omaha tribe's culture?

Eagle feathers represent fallen soldiers and are earned or given the authority to wear as a sign of respect and honor within the Omaha tribe's culture.

What challenges does the community on the Omaha Indian reservation face according to the transcript?

The community on the Omaha Indian reservation faces challenges such as a lack of activities for youth, limited job opportunities for adults, and historical trauma from past injustices.

How does the protagonist express her pride in her heritage?

The protagonist expresses her pride in her heritage by creating a film to showcase the beauty of her culture, participating in traditional ceremonies, and advocating for her people through her modeling work.

What is the impact of historical trauma on the Omaha tribe as mentioned in the script?

Historical trauma has been passed down through generations in the Omaha tribe due to forced eradication of their culture, including the impact of boarding schools, leading to struggles such as alcoholism and mental health issues.

What role does cultural practice play in the healing process for the individuals in the script?

Cultural practices such as smudging, praying with tobacco, and participating in traditional ceremonies play a significant role in the healing process, helping individuals cope with trauma and connect with their ancestral roots.

Why is the powwow considered a harvest celebration and a homecoming for the Omaha tribe?

The powwow is considered a harvest celebration and a homecoming because it is a time when the community comes together to celebrate their culture, dance, and give thanks for the blessings of the harvest.

What does the drum represent in the Omaha tribe's culture?

In the Omaha tribe's culture, the drum represents the heartbeat of the people and is central to their songs, dances, and spiritual practices, providing a rhythm and melody that uplifts the spirit.

How does the protagonist view her role as a Native American in the context of the script?

The protagonist views her role as a Native American as one of strength, resilience, and advocacy. She sees herself as a powerful voice for her people and is committed to overcoming historical trauma and challenging stereotypes.

What message does the protagonist convey about the importance of cultural identity and heritage?

The protagonist conveys that maintaining a strong cultural identity and connection to heritage is crucial for personal and community well-being, as it provides a sense of belonging, resilience, and a platform for healing from historical traumas.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Cultural Identity and Coming of Age

The speaker, Done at Mona's Rayom, introduces herself as a 17-year-old from the Omaha Indian Reservation. She shares her intention to create a film that showcases the beauty and struggles of her community. The paragraph details preparations for a feathering ceremony, a rite of passage, and the significance of eagle feathers as symbols of honor and respect for fallen soldiers. It also touches on the lack of opportunities and the impact of historical trauma within the community.

05:00

🎤 Pursuing Dreams and Overcoming Adversity

The narrative shifts to the speaker's journey in the modeling industry, with a focus on her first professional photoshoot for Teen Vogue. It highlights the sacrifices made by her family to support her dreams and the significance of representation in media. The speaker also discusses her grandmother's struggle with PTSD, the impact of military service, and the healing power of cultural practices and community involvement.

10:08

🌈 Embracing Tradition and Personal Identity

The paragraph explores the experiences of a two-spirited individual, Jerae, who identifies with both masculine and feminine spirits. It delves into the challenges faced due to societal expectations and the process of acceptance. The conversation also includes the importance of Omaha traditions, the impact of historical trauma, and the resilience passed down through generations.

15:08

🏵️ Honoring Ancestors and Healing through Culture

This section discusses the speaker's preparation for a feathering ceremony and the profound connection to her ancestors and culture. It includes a conversation about the historical trauma inflicted by the U.S. government's policies, particularly the forced eradication of Native American culture and its lasting effects. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of cultural practices in healing and the strength derived from community and tradition.

20:12

🎉 Celebration of Heritage and Community

The paragraph describes the annual Hirawachi Powwow, a harvest celebration and homecoming event for the community. It captures the joy and pride of the dancers, the significance of the drum as the heartbeat of the people, and the communal feast as an act of gratitude. The speaker reflects on her identity as a Native American, the challenges faced, and the power of resilience and voice in overcoming historical trauma.

25:13

🌟 Empowerment and the Power of Voice

In the final paragraph, the speaker, referred to as Shooting Star, emphasizes the importance of being heard and not silenced. She calls for fearless individuals to enact change and speaks to the strength and intelligence inherent in being Native American. The paragraph concludes with a celebration of her identity and a commitment to healing and empowerment.

Keywords

💡Omaha Indian Reservation

The Omaha Indian Reservation is a significant location in the video, representing the cultural and geographical home of the Omaha tribe. It is where the protagonist lives and where the events of the video unfold. The reservation is depicted as a place of both struggle and beauty, highlighting the complex realities faced by Native American communities. The video showcases the protagonist's pride in her heritage and her efforts to overcome the challenges associated with living on the reservation.

💡Feathering Ceremony

A Feathering Ceremony is a traditional Native American rite of passage, as mentioned in the script. It symbolizes a person's transition into a new stage of life, often associated with achievements or significant personal growth. In the video, the protagonist is preparing for her feathering ceremony, which is a pivotal moment that she shares with the audience, illustrating the importance of cultural traditions and their role in personal identity.

💡Eagle Feather

In the video, the eagle feather is a symbol of honor and respect within Native American culture. It represents fallen soldiers and is not worn lightly; it must be earned or given as a sign of authority. The script mentions the gravity of handling an eagle feather, indicating that it is not just a decoration but a symbol of responsibility and recognition of one's contributions to the community.

💡Historical Trauma

Historical trauma refers to the collective emotional and psychological wounding over the generations, such as the forced assimilation and abuse that Native American communities have suffered. The video discusses how this trauma has been passed down through generations and its impact on the community's well-being. The protagonist's family history, including her grandmother's experience in boarding schools, is used to illustrate the long-lasting effects of historical trauma.

💡Resilience

Resilience is a central theme in the video, highlighting the ability of individuals and communities to overcome adversity. The protagonist and other characters in the video demonstrate resilience in the face of historical trauma, personal struggles, and societal challenges. It is portrayed as a key aspect of Native American identity and a means of healing and moving forward.

💡Cultural Practices

Cultural practices, such as smudging and traditional ceremonies, are depicted as essential for maintaining a connection to ancestral roots and for healing. The video emphasizes the role of these practices in providing a sense of identity, community, and spiritual well-being. They are shown as a means to cope with and heal from the effects of historical trauma and to preserve cultural heritage.

💡Powwow

A powwow is a gathering that is both a celebration and a competitive event featuring traditional Native American dances, music, and regalia. In the video, the powwow serves as a homecoming event, bringing people together to celebrate their culture and heritage. It is a time of community bonding and a showcase of Native American artistry and tradition.

💡Two-Spirited

The term 'two-spirited' is used in the video to describe individuals who identify as having both masculine and feminine spirits. It is a concept within some Native American cultures that recognizes diverse gender identities and expressions. The script features a character who identifies as two-spirited, discussing the unique challenges and acceptance they experience within their community.

💡Indigenous Representation

Indigenous representation is a key concept in the video, emphasizing the importance of visibility and accurate portrayal of Native American people in media and society. The protagonist's appearance in Teen Vogue is highlighted as a significant moment of representation, which is celebrated by her community and appreciated for breaking stereotypes and providing positive role models.

💡PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD is mentioned in the context of the protagonist's mother, who is a veteran and struggles with the disorder. The video uses this to explore the impact of military service on Native American individuals and the community. It also shows how cultural practices and connections can be part of the healing process for those dealing with PTSD.

💡Cultural Eradication

Cultural eradication refers to the forced suppression and destruction of a culture, often by a dominant group or government. The video discusses the historical policies of the U.S. government that aimed to eradicate Native American cultures, such as banning traditional practices and forcing children into boarding schools. This keyword is crucial for understanding the ongoing effects of these policies on the community's identity and well-being.

Highlights

Introduction to the speaker's identity and purpose of the film to showcase the beauty and struggles of their community.

Description of a feathering ceremony as a rite of passage and the significance of eagle feathers.

The importance of community connections and the anticipation of the feathering ceremony.

Challenges faced by the community, including lack of activities and job opportunities.

Personal reflection on the community's struggle and the desire to preserve cultural identity.

Family support for cultural interests and the impact on the speaker's modeling work.

The significance of a Teen Vogue photoshoot and the community's response.

A veteran's struggle with PTSD and the healing process through cultural practices.

The process of making regalia and its therapeutic effects.

Inspiration from a local high school talk and the importance of indigenous role models.

Discussion on the two-spirited identity and its role in carrying on traditions.

The impact of historical trauma and its effects on the current generation.

The role of cultural practices in healing from personal and historical trauma.

The significance of the powwow as a harvest celebration and a time for community to come together.

The meaning of the drum and its importance in Native American culture.

Reflection on the speaker's journey of self-discovery and the power of cultural connection.

A call to action for fearlessness and the importance of speaking up for change.

Closing thoughts on being Native American, the challenges, and the power of the community's voice.

Transcripts

uh

[Music]

if i asked you to tell me about yourself

about who you are

what would you tell me

would you tell me the color of your hair

your favorite song

your hobbies who raised you

what time you grew up in the schools you

went to are your profession

[Music]

or would you tell me about the god you

pray to the language your grandparents

spoke

the holidays you celebrate

your country of origin

the color of your skin

would you tell me who you truly are

let me tell you who we truly are

my english name is done at monas rayom i

am 17 years old and i live on the omaha

indian reservation

i wanted to make this film to show the

beautiful side of us

to show people that i'm extremely proud

of where i come from

what i come from

i wanted to make this film because

i wanted people to see

and to hear

and to know

what we go through

what it's caused by

and how we overcome it

[Music]

we're going to hawate's gift shop to

prepare for my feathering ceremony that

takes place on thursday the first day of

paul

and

basically a feathering ceremony is kind

of like your rite of passage into the

arena

alton's the one that's making my

centerpiece that's yeah that i'm getting

actually yeah i know her mother went to

school together so everybody knows each

other there's always a connection

when are you getting feathered on

thursday thursday thursday at 1. i can't

wait

just talking about it it makes me really

excited

you know feathers people

people just don't put them on

they can't just wear them or you know

just out of novelty or whatever they

gotta

they gotta earn the ride or they're

given the authority to to wear an eagle

feather

to a veteran eagle feathers represent

fallen soldiers you know so if you were

to drop

drop a feather you know a veteran is the

one that has to come in and

pick it up

and if he wants to give it back to you

he can or if he wants to keep it

he can thanks for sharing that yep

[Music]

life in walt hill is slow

we don't have all types of activities

for

the youth to participate in or we don't

have a bunch of

job opportunities that the adults can

apply for

if i'm being completely honest we

struggle here

it is a beautiful place when you're

seeing the right parts

but

when you live here and this is your

day-to-day life it drains you

it really does

i see not only my family members but

people in this community people in our

tribe

not treating themselves as the powerful

and strong people that we once were

our people didn't drink every day our

people didn't do drugs our people didn't

they didn't live like that

it hurts

my parents didn't grow up being taught

our ways of life

but they've always supported my interest

in it

and it encouraged me to advocate for it

in my modeling work

two

three she gets shaky

google what's after six

seven

records

that's how you get them go and see if

they're up now

she was always performing for us when

she was little

with her little microphone in her wig

yeah she used to make her brothers and

sisters sit there and watch what she

would sing they were her audience so

this is like her very first professional

photo shoot this one is

this is the may issue of teen vogue back

in 2016.

this is the first time my face ever went

public like this and then

my grandma and grandpa his mom and dad

went and bought like 17 copies

for this shoot

actually

we drove 16 hours

and dropped off our boys slept for an

hour and then drove into new york city

that's just where i'm willing to

what i'm willing to sacrifice

to make sure that my kids are successful

i mean when she did team vogue we were

getting comments from

like all the elders throughout

the country we've been waiting for this

whereas it's been it's beautiful i love

this um there were even people that were

like thanking teen vogue for finally

finally putting an indigenous person

in a major major magazine

i went to speak to shelby who will give

me my feather at the feathering ceremony

and she is also making my dress for

powwow you want the zipper in the front

or the back that stars in the background

oh yeah it'll be in the front never mind

yeah see

so this will be her

the skirt

this is the vision here if you wanna

we're a great artist

i tried

i was in iraq in 2003 2004

during the invasion i was a truck driver

in the army when i joined

the army i was a single mom of those two

children right there so i was diagnosed

with ptsd in 2006

and

i didn't know i had ptsd

didn't realize that i was going through

a lot of things that i didn't understand

you know i didn't understand why i was

so angry i didn't understand why

why nobody understood

me

and

i was angry

and um

you know i turned to you know alcohol

it was bad

and then eventually i realized you know

i didn't want to be that kind of person

i needed help and it was hard for me to

ask for help

do you want to talk about how you use

making your

regalia or you're doing your bead work

or even just smudging like how it helps

helps you heal from your ptsd i prayed

and i smudged and i i tried to do our

you know our cultural ways and you know

i i would be

and that would keep my mind busy i then

i started i learned how to sew so then

that would keep my mind busy

and then um

you know practicing

you know our culture helped me

being involved in the culture helped me

it's hard

a lot of my family would say oh you you

look so happy

you're so happy you're

i never would have known you're going

through that you know you wear this mask

you know you wear this

this facade

because

you don't want no one to know i don't

want no one to know

the things that i go through the deep

dark things that i go through just being

in this those

situations where you just don't know if

you're gonna live

and you know you're like

or you're gonna get blown up and i'm

just a res girl

i didn't ask for that

but you know i guess that's what i

signed up for

so today you know i just i want to do

good things i want to help when people

ask me to do work and i do it for free

because i'm like

i'm good you know i have

i don't have much but you know

here you know it's got good feelings in

it

it's got love

you know i love i love my community i

love my my tribe i

i love everything about our people and

what we are thank you for those words

though

like not even for the camera like thank

you for those words because

just out of the good of your heart you

wanted to help me

and

i'm just glad i met you because i don't

they make me cry now i know

i know how you feel

i want my legacy to be shelby was a nice

person

and she can make omaha much

so

oh my gosh you

there you go

you don't move your arms you just do

that

three years ago i went to speak to

students at a local high school and

jobly's daughter sydney was there too

i never see like native american like

role models and stuff

well my mom but

like someone kind of near my age and it

inspired me like to work harder in

school and stuff and stay on track

you inspire a lot of little girls and

other kids

like to be better and stuff

i wanted to talk with some of my peers

about what life was like for them on the

reservation my friend jerae has a unique

perspective because she is two-spirited

which means she identifies as having

both masculine and a feminine spirit

how do you carry on some of our like

traditions and stuff i pray

i say to the whole house i just don't

say to my one room for me it's more

different since i can do either or

so because you're two spirit you're able

to

perform both the man and the woman's

voice

if i wanted to touch the drum i could

have people started treating you

differently since you started

identifying more as a female yeah

a lot of people treated me differently

some

kindly a lot

what hate and negativity but i had to

grow thick skin

long time ago um

[Music]

and i had to go through a lot of stuff

on my own in the end

people grew to

be more accepting and open-minded to

my choices and stuff

so yeah

you ready for pow-wow

don't say it like that

are you ready to dance

i'm real ready to dance i haven't

finished beating my

um my contemporary marks for my jingle

dress i have to finish beating those but

my omaha mocks are done

my relative marissa knows so much about

our people and our history we talked

about the forced eradication of our

culture that happened when the u.s

government put children into special

boarding schools

and how that has contributed to the

historical trauma that's passed down in

our families for generations

what does it mean to you to be an omaha

woman

so for me being a maha maha

it means

that i have a beautiful relationship

with food with seeds it means that i've

delivered my sister's babies

it means that i take care of other women

it means that i

have unconditional love for creation

itself it also means being a warrior

and being a warrior for our language for

a culture to fight for

for our people and we have to bring back

that way of thinking less individualized

i remember as a little girl i did

something and i was like dad i did this

i did you know i was really excited i i

and my dad scolded me and he said

no you you don't talk like that

you always say we

because um in some ways we're always

doing things collectively

your grandmother went to boarding

schools how has that affected you

personally

like do you believe that historical

trauma was passed down to you

i think historical trauma does get

passed down i also think resiliency gets

passed down my grandmother

all she knew was our language and her

family

and then all of a sudden she didn't have

any of that as she was told how to pray

how to think she had my father

then she had two other children a girl

and a boy and adopted them out to a

white family

and in her mind she thought she was

doing

something good she dealt with a lot my

grandmother suffered from alcoholism

there was definitely trauma then was

passed down to my dad and he was never

mean never cruel never abusive um but he

had that inner pain that he couldn't get

rid of he

also um

struggled with drinking but i had a

really hard childhood too

um and i had a lot of privilege too so

it's it's a balance but

there was a point where i was suicidal

and so there was a lot of trauma

historical trauma in my family line but

what i do know

is that i stopped with me

how has our practices

helped to

heal

when i go through really hard times i

sit with my tobacco and pray and i feel

and i sing

songs and those songs connect me to

creation and then help me heal

help me um be able to keep moving

forward with love

and kindness because that's that's

what's hard

it's easy to be bitter

and cruel to people

if someone puts all their pain and hurt

because they're hurting they're not well

and they put that pain and hurt on me

now i carry it and then i put it on you

right it moves it has a life it moves

among people

and that's that's a sickness

but if i take what you threw at me

sit with it pray with it and let it go

out of love then it's gone

it doesn't keep moving anymore and

that's a form of medicine

i kind of woke up with a heavy heart

today

just because um

like i wish all my relatives could be

there

to witness that for me

especially my loved ones that's passed

on but

that's not that's not the way um

creator

made for things to go and

that's fine because

regardless of if i see them there or not

i know that

they're still gonna be there with me

[Music]

[Music]

you ready to do your hair

just before my feathering ceremony took

place my grandpa sam marissa and i got

into a conversation about a speech that

i'd given at the united nations in 2017.

would you talk a lot oh i think

like i spoke about that 606 um like

suicide in indian country and like the

missing invited indigenous women alcohol

why do you think that that's a struggle

for us in indian country and for the

youth

i kind of feel like

a lot of us just lost touch with

you know our home base like who we were

as the people lost touch with our ways

of life

it's all tied in because

they dismantled our belief system and

our way of life and those original

teachings that we're talking about that

have been lost they outlawed our

ceremonies they outlawed this way of

life the only time that we could

practice our ceremonies was here and we

had to do it in front of white people so

the people tried to put all these

ceremonies into this one time of year

um and then mask it so that white people

didn't know what they were doing

you know all these things

changed and and then it wasn't no

gradual change like something

was quick like that

and we had to forget who we are small

people

and

being able to find a little bit of piece

of yourself is a huge accomplishment

and you're doing it i'm proud of you for

that

just

keep going you're going to stumble

you're going to fall

you're young it's going to happen

and you're human you know if it wasn't

if we didn't have these troubles in our

lives that we wouldn't have

you know ceremonies to help us feel we

wouldn't need those ceremonies

you know growing up on a rest you know

i've seen those things and i'm a

product of a lot of abuse you know and

for me one of those things was being

sexually abused

as a kid

and

um

being burned by my own father at eight

months old

you know

you look at all those things i should be

a a serial killer or something like that

you know but for some reason creator

you know said no i don't want you to be

that way you know but i'm gonna give you

some

some things that you have to look at

you have to go through to be who you are

today

but it's good what you're doing proud of

you

[Music]

we did not film my feathering ceremony

because of how sacred it is

my granddaughter here has some gifts

that she wants to give out

i was so

excited and overwhelmed and happy when

shelby gave me my feather

[Music]

it was

such a beautiful moment that i will

never forget

[Music]

right now we're at powwow and we're

about to have the first grand entry of

the weekend

that's where all the dancers are sold

into the arena for the first time it's

exciting for me because i finally get to

dance with my father

[Music]

our powwow our annual

hirawachi

is

our harvest celebration

but a lot of us see it as a homecoming

that's when everybody comes home to

celebrate together

you know seeing all of our our tiny

babies dancing or seeing our golden age

dances still dancing

it's a beautiful sight

the feeling that you get in your heart

it's kind of indescribable

so

[Music]

[Music]

you spend a lot of time on the jump so

explain what the drum is so the people

who are watching

know what it is to us

the drum what it means is this like it's

the heartbeat of our people in our

nation and

creator wakanda he gave it to us to use

for him he made us his dancers and his

singers

then through that drum the drum beat we

have our our melodies our footsteps our

footwork our

our rhythms like my spirit the shields

are lifted once i hear the music and

when i have everything on

i feel like it's like a shield to me

like nothing can harm me in any type of

way then i'm not the best dancer but i

try my best in my every time i get out

there give it all my artist like it's my

last time dancing

[Music]

on the last day of powwow we always have

a feast

we place our food on the ground to make

a connection with mother earth and to

thank her for what she's given us

we begin serving people sitting to the

east and then everyone eats together

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

wakanda

our creator he

blessed me with the connection to our

people to our ancestors to our homelands

it was hard to find at first

but when i found it it was a feeling

that no photo shoot no runway no crowd

could ever give me

i won't be held back by

what they call historic trauma it won't

hold me back because

i will have properly healed myself from

it

i'm trying

like i'm trying to learn how to heal

myself from not only things that i've

been through but things that everybody

in my family has been through

you know i can only heal what's in my

heart but i can also pray for

everyone else's trauma everyone else's

pain to be lifted from them

to be a native american

is to be challenged it is to be strong

it is to be intelligent

it is to be resilient

being native american is not to be

silenced

but to be heard

to be a native american is to be

powerful

to have a powerful voice for those who

have lost their ability to speak

we need more fearless people

who are willing to make a change

when you don't hold your words in when

you speak your mind

amazing things can happen

[Music]

with a gooseberry sibling

they call me shooting star

and i am a native american

[Music]

[Music]

uh

[Music]

hey

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

hey

[Applause]

[Music]

thank you

[Music]

yes

[Music]

hey

[Applause]

hey

[Applause]

bye

you