Pine Ridge, USA: A Frontier of the Forgotten 2005
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by SCEREN-CNDP
Director n/a
VHS, color, 26 min.
Sr. High - Adult
American Studies, Area Studies, Drama, Ethics, Human Rights, Multicultural Studies, Native American Studies, Urban Studies, Storytelling
Date Entered: 12/02/2005
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis video portrays the life and plight of the 40,000 Sioux Lakota Native Americans currently living on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. They are considered the poorest inhabitants of the Americas, with 95% unemployment, life expectancy of approximately 50 years, and numerous social problems. They have no bank, store, industry, or technology of any kind, and they are isolated from the rest of the U.S. More than 90% of the land in Pine Ridge is rented or farmed by non-Indians who do not even live on the reservation.
This film is a shocking documentary of their current conditions, including the discrimination, lack of skills, and low salaries for those who do work in the closest city, Rapid City, South Dakota. On top of all this, they are still remembered and humiliated on a daily basis by tourists and others who visit the site to recall their historic battle and defeat in the 19th century by the U.S. Army. An enlightening and sober film at the same time, yet one of the few detailing the current plight of many Native Americans.