Contrary Warrior: The Life and Times of Adam Fortunate Eagle

John Ferry's documentary looks at the life of Native American activist and artist Adam Fortunate Eagle. Born to a Swedish father and Native American mother on Minnesota's Chippewa Reservation, Adam Nordwall grew up and eventually ran his own termite-control business in San Francisco during the 1960s. Nordwall became involved with the Native American civil rights movement, initially gaining public attention with a parody of Peter Minuet's “trinkets” purchase of Manhattan Island in 1626, announcing that Native Americans would like to buy Alcatraz Island from the U.S. government for $24 worth of beads and goods. Nordwall adopted the surname Fortunate Eagle in 1972 and later became a successful sculptor and creator of artistically striking ceremonial pipes; meanwhile, his gift for publicity stunts continued with a celebrated reverse “discovery” of Italy. While Nordwall clearly has a fascinating tale to tell, his skills as a raconteur fall short—which is unfortunate, since the film, shot in Nevada on the Paiute-Shoshone Indian Reservation, consists mostly of Fortunate Eagle onscreen solo, talking about his life and opinions. Some of his stories bog down in unnecessary detail, while others (particularly those dealing with the shunning of his Scandinavian heritage and his 1982 arrest for the sale of eagle feathers) seem unfinished. Still, viewers with a strong interest in Native American culture will appreciate the distinctive insights and compelling anecdotes that crop up throughout. DVD extras include deleted scenes and outtakes. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)