The World of American Indian Dance

Pointing out that America was a melting pot even before the arrival of European conquerors/settlers, filmmaker Randy Martin's The World of American Indian Dance looks at intertribal powwows, focusing specifically on the spectacular dance competitions. While dancing has always been popular at these gatherings, the sharing of dances between tribes has accelerated in the past 50 years, leaving some to wonder whether the pan-Indian style has become “kinda generic” as one dancer suggests. Most traditional dances originated in religion, and some cast a critical eye on secular dances that appeared in the 20th century, such as the women's jingle dress or the men's fancy dance competitions, while others question the contemporary addition of monetary rewards for the dancers. Filmed at Crow Fair (Crow Agency, MT), this production, narrated by Peter Coyote, combines current and archival footage and stills with interviews to provide both historical and modern looks at several dances (although outlawed after the Ghost Dance movement that ultimately led to the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890, Native Americans continued to dance in public at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, as well as their own gatherings, until the law was changed in 1934). Presented in widescreen and filmed in high-definition, this is an interesting and thought-provoking documentary, as well as a visual treat. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)