Wiping The Tears Of Seven Generations

Winner of a Silver Telly and the "Best Video" award at the 1991 American Indian Film Festival, Wiping the Tears of Seven Generations is the story of the Lakota (Sioux) people's centennial ceremony commemorating the end of mourning for the massacre at Wounded Knee. Termed "Washigila," the "wiping the tears" ceremony consisted of the Bigfoot Memorial Ride, a trek retracing the steps of Chief Bigfoot's band along the 250-mile trail to the site of the December 29, 1890 massacre. The most powerful part of the program is the historical overview which examines the "coming of the white man" to the western lands of the Lakota, and the eventual hounding and destruction culminating in the heinous massacre at Wounded Knee. Original music, excellent photographs from the period, and animated maps are used to tell the story of the Lakota people (the subject of Dances With Wolves). Unfortunately, to me, the modern day part of the story vacillates between naiveté and simple ludicrousness. We see the riders on the Bigfoot Memorial Ride, proudly sitting astride their horses, with eagle feathers sticking out of their John Deere-style caps, moving down the paved highway. The contradictory irony of this scene will not be lost on many. Interviews with contemporary members of the Lakota people, many identified as members of the Wounded Knee Survivor's Association (though no member was actually at the Wounded Knee massacre), often focus on the loss of spiritual ways, and the need to re-educate youth. There is talk of reinstituting the sacred pipe ceremony, the need to recombine the "thoughts of man and the thoughts of his horse," and the possibilities of regaining the lost land (not a good one to bet the farm on). The problem is elementary you can't go back. The response of today's Native American teenage male to a few hours in the sweat lodge would be quite predictable: "Geez, thanks for the experience Dad, but this really bites; tomorrow, can 1, like, skip lodge and maybe hit the mall?"). Still, these are my personal reactions to the tape; libraries with a strong Native American patron base will definitely want to add this very well produced documentary, but others are also encouraged to consider this inexpensive tape. Recommended. (Available from: Kifaru Productions, 1550 California St., Suite 275, San Francisco, CA 94109.)