In the Light of Reverence 2001
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Christopher McLeod, in association with the Independent Television Service and Native American Public Telecommunications
Directed by Christopher McLeod
VHS, color, 73 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Environmental Studies, Multicultural Studies, Native American Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Christy Caldwell, Science Librarian, University of California, Santa CruzIn the Light of Reverence explores why Native Americans have such strong religious ties to particular places. This is accomplished through interviews, scenes of religious ceremonies, and ancient stories that fasten tribes with certain places in nature. But many of these places are endangered due to shifts in politics, incompatible uses and/or private ownership. The film focuses on three endangered sacred sites to explain the controversies: Devil's Tower in Wyoming, the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and Mt. Shasta in California. The Native American tribes (Lakota, Hopi and Wintu respectively) who find these sites irreplaceable to their religious needs are opposed to obvious degradations of the land such as development, logging and mining, as well as disruptive recreational uses such as rock climbing.
The makers of this film were given unprecedented access to sacred sites and ceremonies because the tribes feel the best way to protect these sites is through education. Although the film is from the perspective of Native Americans, ample time is given to other groups to explain their positions. Technically, the film is excellent and has beautiful cinematography. Because the main purpose of the film is to try to explain the significance of the holy sites to inspire respect for them, this film has a different demeanor than other films covering similar Native American land disputes.
The film being in three parts (one for each sacred site) facilitates classroom use, and the transcript of the entire documentary is online at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pressroom/. Narrated by Peter Coyote and Tantoo Cardinal, In the Light of Reverence was awarded Best Documentary Feature Award at the November, 2000 American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. Highly recommended for middle school through college.