Educational Media Reviews Online

LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 chronicles the life and activism of LaDonna Harris, a Comanche political leader from Oklahoma. To Harris, being Comanche means being a part of something bigger than yourself and bigger than your immediate family, which is highlighted by her intimate involvement working with the United States government to better life for the urban Indian population. Exemplifying the precarious situation throughout United States history in terms of tribal-U.S. relations and politics, LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 demonstrates the legacy Harris has left for future generations as an exemplary role model for contemporary Indigenous activists.

Through the use of documentary-style film clips and personal interviews, LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 not only highlights contemporary and historical activist work among the Indigenous populations in the United States, but also provides historical context on relocation, removal, and Indian boarding schools, which have all led to the need for contemporary Indigenous activism. An emotional journey for Harris to be recounting certain memories and discussing certain issues, lets the viewer also perceives how blatant racism, combined with internalized racism, can lead to deplorable living conditions for Indigenous peoples. This film documents the incredibly difficult work Harris has devoted her life to in order to improve the lives for Indigenous peoples everywhere.

Of importance to note, however, is the fact that LaDonna Harris was married to a United States senator. While this advantageous position obviously gave her the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the United States government, it is entirely possible that she may not have received the opportunities she did – particularly in being one of the only minority women ambassadors – had she not been married to a senator. In any event, Harris used her personal connections to her community’s advantage in order to carry out her activist work.

This film would be an excellent resource for a variety of high school and college courses and topics, including United States government, U.S.-tribal relations, contemporary activism, and Indigenous women leaders. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in Native American studies, women’s studies, American studies, or contemporary United States history. LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 can teach the younger generations what it means to have a fighting spirit in this modern world that seems to be breaking apart.