Summary: A documentary exploring the lives of Native American and non-Native people who live in Northern Arizona towns neighboring the Hopi and Navajo Nations
Edge of the Rez examines the border towns where Native American culture intersects with white culture. The show is a collection of several features that address issues such as discrimination, the role of family, the effects of relocation, alcohol abuse, and the importance of traditional culture in overcoming these and other problems. Each story is well done, and a couple are exceptional. Music is used effectively both to transition between pieces, and to further the narrative within individual stories. The hour-long show works as a whole, but several segments could stand on their own or work as a series. This is an important and poignant body of work because it points out both the harsh reality as well as the beauty that can be found on the edge of the rez.
This one-hour special is an insightful account of how Hopi and Navajo peoples in Arizona navigate their dislocation from the reservation (Rez). The featured voices and stories render the pain and some humor about loss, racism and stereotypes.
For me, the most interesting stories were the ones woven between the opening and closing bookends of news reports. I understand the wisdom of re-tooling news reports, but the actual storytelling from a first-person account is much stronger. Plus, the news reports contain references to local pegs, which aren't relevant to stations around the country.
But what unfolds is powerful. Whether you're listening to Mona Seamon return to her birthplace in Navajo country and talk about what lies in ruin because of the government's mandate to move, or to Radmilla Cody, a biracial (African-American and Navajo), professional singer, who talks about how she was ostracized by many in her Native American family because of race, the storytelling hooks you.
Getting subjects to open up and share their innermost thoughts and feelings is hard. I also know that for Native Americans, the proposition is doubly difficult. Why should they entrust their stories to non-natives? KNAU succeeds here.
If you wish to gain good understanding about our ignored native tribes, of which many end up in more urban environments, this piece lays a strong foundation with well-produced sound and content.
Comments for Edge of the Rez, Hour One
Produced by Cindy Carpien, Daniel Kraker, Laurel Morales, Gillian Ferris Kohl, Theresa Bierer, Sasa Woodruff
Other pieces by Geoff Norcross
Rating Summary
2 comments
Taki Telonidis
Posted on February 25, 2007 at 06:44 PM | Permalink
Review of Edge of the Rez, Hour One
Edge of the Rez examines the border towns where Native American culture intersects with white culture. The show is a collection of several features that address issues such as discrimination, the role of family, the effects of relocation, alcohol abuse, and the importance of traditional culture in overcoming these and other problems. Each story is well done, and a couple are exceptional. Music is used effectively both to transition between pieces, and to further the narrative within individual stories. The hour-long show works as a whole, but several segments could stand on their own or work as a series. This is an important and poignant body of work because it points out both the harsh reality as well as the beauty that can be found on the edge of the rez.
Yolette Garcia
Posted on February 24, 2007 at 03:21 PM | Permalink
Review of Edge of the Rez, Hour One
This one-hour special is an insightful account of how Hopi and Navajo peoples in Arizona navigate their dislocation from the reservation (Rez). The featured voices and stories render the pain and some humor about loss, racism and stereotypes.
For me, the most interesting stories were the ones woven between the opening and closing bookends of news reports. I understand the wisdom of re-tooling news reports, but the actual storytelling from a first-person account is much stronger. Plus, the news reports contain references to local pegs, which aren't relevant to stations around the country.
But what unfolds is powerful. Whether you're listening to Mona Seamon return to her birthplace in Navajo country and talk about what lies in ruin because of the government's mandate to move, or to Radmilla Cody, a biracial (African-American and Navajo), professional singer, who talks about how she was ostracized by many in her Native American family because of race, the storytelling hooks you.
Getting subjects to open up and share their innermost thoughts and feelings is hard. I also know that for Native Americans, the proposition is doubly difficult. Why should they entrust their stories to non-natives? KNAU succeeds here.
If you wish to gain good understanding about our ignored native tribes, of which many end up in more urban environments, this piece lays a strong foundation with well-produced sound and content.