The statistics on violence against Native American women are harrowing: 4 out of 5 experience violence and 1 out of 3 are raped. Sisters Rising tackles this challenging, vital topic head-on by highlighting the voices of six survivors turned advocates. This beautifully shot documentary primarily focuses on Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, although the narrative is by no means limited to one reservation. The stories these women share are heartbreaking and speak to a pervasive problem that receives little mainstream attention. Survivor and police officer Dawn White argues violence against Native women is so commonplace that community members are desensitized to it.
The film makes the compelling case that colonialism is at the root of this violence in more ways than one. It has rendered Native peoples as a relic in the minds of the outside world, a historical rather than living population. Colonialism too is often painted as a thing of the past, but its effects are still felt daily in Native communities whose land and rights are not guaranteed. One unique issue almost all Native communities face is jurisdiction – they are unable to prosecute crimes committed on reservations by non-Native perpetrators. Since over 80% of sexual assaults of Native women are perpetrated by non-Native men, these crimes go unpunished. The lack of accountability leads to the view of these women as "safe victims," as lawyer and survivor Sarah Deer put it, who are not valued or protected by the system.
Sisters Rising respectfully frames Native women's stories and handles its sensitive subject matter with care. It's both affecting and educational, bringing attention to an epidemic that is ravaging Native communities. The tales these women tell can be brutal and sometimes difficult to hear, but they are necessary. Directors Willow O'Feral and Brad Heck never lose sight of the fact that these women are not just statistics but people who deserve dignity and respect. They weave their six subjects' experience and expertise into an effective narrative with a beautiful eye for style. From creating the first anti-trafficking code in tribal law to helping women in crisis, the six women featured in this film are making impressive gains for their communities. Dawn, Sarah, Loreline, Lisa, Chalsey, and Patty are formidable and compassionate fighters, determined to take back power for themselves and their tribes. Highly Recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P.
Included in our list of Best Documentaries 2021.
