Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest

The Hopi, Navajo, Apache, Seri, Yaqui, O'odham, Tarahumara, Yumans, Pai and Southern Paiute (ten cultural groups) get very quick coverage in this 21(!) minute tape. Based on The Paths of Life exhibit at the Arizona State Musuem, the video focuses on how each group's locale (desert, seaside, etc.) shaped their sense of place and their calling in the world (as farmers, fishermen, etc.). While there are a variety of old film clips, historic photos, artifacts and new video, identifying information on historic pieces isn't listed on-screen--an odd omission given the fact this is based on a museum exhibit. Disappointing, in addition to the major letdown of being such a brief overview of these varied and distinctive tribes. Schools might be able to use ("The Indians of North America in One Week or Less"), but, generally speaking, this will find limited usefulness in public libraries or home video collections. (R. Reagan)