Video Guide
Sacred Land Film Project of Earth Island Institute
, 2001, color, 73 minutes. Christopher McLeod, Project Director.Summary:
Ten years in the making, In the Light of Reverence explores American culture’s relationship to nature in three places considered sacred by native peoples: the Colorado Plateau in the Southwest, Mt. Shasta in California, and Devils Tower in Wyoming. Rich in minerals and timber and beloved by recreational users, these “holy lands” exert a spiritual gravity which pulls Native Americans into conflicts with mining companies, New Age practitioners, and rock climbers. Ironically, all sides see themselves as besieged. Their battles tell a new story of culture clashes in an ancient landscape. In the Light of Reverence juxtaposes reflections of Hopi, Wintu and Lakota elders on the spiritual meaning of place with views of non-Indians who have their own ideas about how best to use the land. The film captures the spiritual yearning and materialistic frenzy of our time. The film was nationally broadcast on the PBS series P.O.V. on August 14, 2001 and was seen by three million people.
Taken from The Sacred Lands Project Web Site. Go there for additional materials.
Questions:
1. What does "sacredness" mean? How are Indian views of sacred portrayed?
2. Can there be any common or cross-cultural understanding of sacred sites?
3. Is sharing sacred sites possible? If so, how?
4. Can you detect any particular biases in the video?
5. Are there differences in the three sites?
6. When dominant society interests and Indian interests conflict, what interests
tend to determine the outcome?