Hosted by Peter Coyote, this documentary from the Circle of Life series traces the history of healthcare among Native Americans, covering a period from the early 1800s through the 2010 Healthcare Reform Act, along the way examining longstanding issues related to poverty, alcoholism, and domestic abuse, as well as more recent concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Director Chip Richie's Don't Get Sick After June points to two divergent causes for the current sorry state of affairs—hostility toward Native Americans, and good intentions gone awry. Whites introduced new diseases and uprooted tribal populations, forcing them onto reservations, where instead of practicing the agriculture necessary to maintaining a nutritious diet, the Native Americans ate high-calorie, high-sodium government surplus food. Chronically underfunded services and outdated facilities constitute another problem, highlighting the sad history of broken promises related to medical care in exchange for land, timber, and mineral rights. Tribal leaders and former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell are among those offering testimony here, backed by archival and contemporary footage illustrating shameful examples of neglect and dysfunction (the film's title refers to a common saying about the month when the federal Indian Health Service typically runs out of money). Despite occasionally straying off message, repeating points, and hinting at conspiracies (such as a desire to limit Native American populations through sterilization), most of what is presented here is both powerful and persuasive, stressing the need to support Native American families and communities while also providing more education on healthy lifestyle choices. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)
Don't Get Sick After June: American Indian Healthcare
(2010) 60 min. DVD: $29.95 ($225 w/PPR). Rich-Heape Films. Closed captioned. Volume 26, Issue 1
Don't Get Sick After June: American Indian Healthcare
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