From director Audrey Geyer comes Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice, a compelling documentary that explores the efforts of Native American lawyers to address prevalent socioeconomic issues in indigenous communities. Focusing on the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes in Michigan, this documentary furnishes profound insights into the restorative justice system that tribal governments follow in their approach to the welfare of indigenous children, mental health and wellness issues, and the resolution of disputes between community members. Through these perspectives, the documentary provides a unique opportunity to learn about alternative methods of justice practiced by Native Americans and the ways in which they can be applied to the broader legal system in the United States.
The documentary opens with a narration by various Native American lawyers who discuss their motivations for entering the legal field. A unifying factor is the determination to advocate for the rights of Native Americans. A notable example is Hon. Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, a judge representing the Odawa Indians, who states: “When I speak, I speak for my people.” This is a significant reflection due to the historical marginalization of Native Americans and their under-representation in the legal field, making it critical for Native American lawyers and judges to represent their interests.
A notable aspect of the Native American justice system that the documentary addresses are the peacemaking process, which is “focused on empathy and the underlying causes that bring people to court.” This stands in poignant contrast to the broader U.S. legal system, which is highly punitive: 25% of the world’s prisoners are in the U.S., among whom Native Americans form a significant percentage even though they comprise only 3% of the U.S. population.
These Native American judges and lawyers are committed to restorative justice, which follows an approach of remediation, and their relationship with indigenous communities and the federal government can therefore be highly invaluable in seeking to resolve socioeconomic problems.
Tribal sovereignty is a central component of Native Americans’ ability to seek legal redress for issues in their communities. Judge Michael Petoskey and his son John define tribal sovereignty as “the ability to determine for ourselves what type of society we want to construct.” As part of exercising this sovereignty, Native American tribes are obligated to provide social services to their members, which are manifested in health and wellness resources, policing systems, and casinos.
Casinos have played an especially significant role in the efforts of Native Americans to regain a sense of sovereignty since they have been used to reclaim ownership of historically indigenous lands, which are held in trust by the federal government for use by Native Americans.
A central requirement for tribal sovereignty is federal recognition, an issue dating back to the establishment of the United States in the late 18th century. During this period, U.S. treaties with Native American tribes promised money and resources, but the federal government stopped signing treaties as it pursued a policy of westward expansion.
A notable point raised in the documentary is that tribes were unique and diverse. Therefore it is important for Native American attorneys to know the treaties that were specific to their respective tribes since they promised certain rights. Attorney JoAnne Cook states that federal recognition, a process by which the federal government recognizes tribal sovereignty, is essential since it allowed Native Americans to establish their own tribal governments, which can thus exercise legal authority in seeking to resolve issues in indigenous communities.
Warrior Lawyers: Defenders of Sacred Justice provides a highly comprehensive and nuanced portrait of the legal solutions that Native American attorneys are seeking for the socioeconomic challenges in indigenous communities, including inter-generational traumas that have been down as a consequence of the historic boarding school system and state-led efforts to assimilate Native American children.
Through this depiction, the documentary offers an informative and engaging exploration of the ways in which tribal governments provide benevolent and restorative forms of legal redress for community members, and it opens room for discussion of how the general U.S. legal system can be reformed along these lines. Extremely thought-provoking and empathetic, Warrior Lawyers is thus highly recommended for media librarians seeking to add documentaries on legal issues and Native American tribal practices.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
This documentary would be a valuable resource for documentary film collections related to the legal field and Native American Studies.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
This film would be highly recommended for courses in U.S. History, Native American & Indigenous Studies, and Government & Legal Studies.
Would this film be suitable for an outdoor screening?
Yes, this film would be suitable for a public outdoor screening, especially within one of the regions discussed in the film.