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Elder Guest commented regarding the PBS series We Shall Remain. I've previewed a couple of the trailers. The series looks like a worthwhile effort from PBS. Apparently, you can view the episodes online at the PBS website, but I'm going to wait to record its rebroadcast, hopefully, later this season.

After the Mayflower - Language consultant David White reviews lines in the Nipmuc language with Marcos Akiaten, who plays the Wampanoag leader Massasoit. White consulted with the producers when they were writing the script and later translated lines into Nipmuc for Akiaten and the other actors. -Photo Credit: Webb Chappell

Below is Elder Guest's comment regarding the first episode:

This past week while reading Indian Country Today, I came across an Open Letter to PBS Television regarding "After the Mayflower," (the first episode of "We Shall Remain").

I would like to share it with the readers.

Regarding “After The Mayflower,” (the first episode of “We Shall Remain”), the the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Narragansett Indian Tribe and the Tribal Historic Preservation Authority of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe question the potential of this mini series to "...tell the story of pivotal moments in US history from the Native American perspective."

The THPO offices are charged by their federally recognized tribes and the National Historic Preservation Act with the responsiblility to protect, preserve and advise on regional tribal history and culture. Our ancestors are central to the events following the Mayflower landing, yet our historical guardians, our THPOs, were avoided by this PBS production.

This production uses National Endowments for the Humanities funds. We maintain that Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act should have been addressed as the project involved federal money in the public presentation of tribal history. Our Tribal cultural authorities were not contacted to consult on the authenticity of the production's script, intent, process or end product.

We have not struggled to maintain our tribal cultural identities for nearly 400 years since colonization to be disrespectfully ignored and dismissed or to have our history misrepresented for the purpose of entertainment.

PBS, your disrespect of the tribes has done a disservice to your audience. Please note that our histories go back tens of thousands of years prior to these "pivotal" conflicts in defense of our families, our ancestral lands and our ancestral way of life.

Finally, PBS in its support and broadcasting of this production has given credence to a radically altered interpretation of the great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh's 1811 declaration to President James Madison's messenger by deleting its land based implication. "We Shall Remain" implies a call for pity and does not carry the same declaration and meaning as"... AND HERE, WE SHALL REMAIN."

End of article.

I am viewing this series. In fact, I bought the tapes. I have enjoyed watching the first tape and look forward to watching and listening to the rest.

Elder guest

Growing up my Mother, Aunt, and Uncle always asked me and my brother Nituwe Hwo (Who are you) we were expected to reply Miye lakota (I am Lakota). They also told us that we were "Indian" which is from the Spanish form Indeous which means "With God". In our house Native Amwericans was a word reserved for blond hair blue eyed self proclaimed Cherokee Princesses and Princes. It was also used as a way to describe sell out tribal members that often look red but have a white heart and soul. I am amazed how we Indian people fail to come together and fight all those things that have torn us apart. We would rather have our big pickup trucks, wide screen TV’s and Native American Bumper Stickers, then band together to protect our children and elders. We would rather set back and watch as young tribal members are lost into the world of drug addiction while are next generation of elders drink their life away. Why are we subjected to racist police and government agencies that work against us when we are their employer? Why must we Indian people have an open heart and mind, giving white governments and agencies dollar after dollar only to be further discriminated against? Why do we set back as Hippy Holey Men sell out our ceremonies and spirituality too new wave wannbees that in the end laugh and mock them? Where are my fellow warriors that have had enough, that are not afraid to stand together and run the drug dealers away? That will reach out to the young and old so that we can again be a powerful people. Where are the Tribal Governments that will truly look to their people and say “We have had enough we are here for you”? I fear too many of us are Native American and not enough of us are American Indian!
Ken Runningcrane