There was a time
in the life of people
that one day they must go home
to the Creator.
And our tradition tells us
in those days that
the Gates of Heaven opened
at noon,
noon.
And at the end of the day,
the soul of the person
lifted away
and followed the setting sun.
And then from that point on,
they were with the
Creator forever.
You always come to the dinner
to eat with the family
and friends of the deceased.
That concludes our service.
Your little sister's
troubles are over now.
She hasn't come to see me yet.
She will.
But this is the fourth day.
They go back and forth
the first year.
I'm afraid
that she doesn't want to see me.
I know
it's hard to leave her, but
we've got to start
a feast by noon.
Sis didn't cry at the funeral.
She never really lets
anyone know,
how she feels
about anything.
Those girls were very close.
What do you want me to do?
Talk to her.
She don't wanna talk to me.
She's been staying with her
aunt ever since she came back.
What does her aunt say?
Ain't worth talking to her.
She's already got it in her
mind that
this is all my fault.
Always come to the dinner
to eat with the family that
and friends of the deceased.
Sis.
You have to eat.
I'm not hungry.
It's your sister's meal.
What's for dinner?
Raviolis, peas and salad.
I hope you made more this time,
because I'm really hungry.
You're always hungry.
Go tell your dad dinner's ready.
You. Get your hair out
of your face.
Shannon Marie, my lord.
Get out of the way!
Girls!
You know your dad doesn't
like his dinner cold.
Is someone going to say grace?
Grace.
Come on.
I-ko and Wi-tse-ko said.
I said that the old folks used
to fast and pray
to be worthy to find food.
Well, we have fasted
because I'm starving.
So can we pray now?
All right.
Thank you for this day.
Thank you for this meal
you provided for us.
Thank you
for my daughters
you've given to my beautiful
wife and I.
Amen.
Please.
This looks good.
Thank you.
Something good happened.
Sis got a really high score
on her college entrance exam.
Principal
says he thinks they're going
to offer me a scholarship
to Dartmouth.
Oh, sis.
I need my water.
I want to go away to school.
I'm proud of you, sis.
Why is it you always take
the side
of the women in this family.
Your sister got a degree.
What good did that do her?
Two busted up marriages,
scared away
more men than the Vietnam draft.
She just knows what she wants.
Like me.
You're not going anywhere.
Why?
Because it's not safe.
I don't trust white folk.
Listen to me.
They just- they think
different than us.
I wish I could get out of here.
You keep talking.
Go ahead. Keep talking.
I'll ground you for
two weeks.
Why do you want to
go to college?
E-dah-tsee!
I want to be a writer.
You need to get real
with yourself.
We- we have an oral culture.
Oral tradition.
Indians don't write literature.
Yes, we do.
Writers can't make no
kind of living.
Aunt said-
Aunt said?
Is that who's behind all this?
Aunt?
You know, let me show
you something.
See this?
That's the only kind of
Indian America ever loved.
I don't want to hear about you
going away to college anymore.
You understand me?
Andrew.
I've never seen such a
bunch of folks.
Can I eat?
I just want to have dinner.
What's so hard about that?
To have a meal.
Is that-
Why is that so hard?
Would you please...
eat.
What are you doing
to my daughter?
What are you talking about?
I hate it
when you act like that.
You know what I'm talking about.
Oh, I hate to disappoint you,
but it's her idea, not mine.
She ain't got no right
going so far away from home.
And you ain't got no right
telling her that it's okay.
Don't be an ass.
Give her up.
She's my oldest daughter.
She ain't going anywhere.
You ought to be proud of her.
I am proud.
Super proud of her.
Well, then start acting like it.
All right.
I'll start acting
super proud of my daughter.
If you stop filling
her head
with that poison of yours.
That's it. I don't talk to
drunks.
You got a hide like a buffalo.
That's why you're alone!
This big old house.
That creepy cat.
Yeah. I got buffalo hide.
Helps in dealing with folks
like you.
And the way you act,
I'm surprised
those girls haven't run off
by now.
What do you want for dinner?
Let's do breakfast for
dinner,
Like waffles and eggs,
and syrup...
or chili beans.
Get the one with the beans
though.
Alright.
You've had a few, haven't you?
I've only had one.
No, look, look. Sober
as a church mouse.
Boom. Leg in the air. Boom.
You know, Shannon cried herself
to sleep last night.
She'll get over it.
Did you know about
her wanting
to go to some other
school?
I had no idea.
I want to talk to you
about something.
Can we talk about it
when we get home?
I want you to reconsider
letting Shannon
go away to college.
I thought we already agreed
on that.
We?
I am her father.
You are so hyped up on her
settling down
and marrying some Indian
guy.
Have you looked around here
lately?
Do you want somebody
to put her through
what you been putting me
through?
Oh, so if I was white,
it'd be better for you.
You said it, not me.
Well?
Race has nothing to do with it.
Really?
Why was it so hard
for me to find work
the last three years?
This is not about you.
Would you tell me what's
so great out there?
That's better than here.
What about Randy?
He's a good boy.
I think she can
do better.
He's from a Choteau family
and you know how they are.
No. How are they?
They're the traditional Indians.
Yeah.
Things are different out
there than here.
She's so naive.
So easy for one of those
white kids
to take advantage of her.
Is that what you're afraid of?
It'd be over before she knew it.
That you won't be able
to protect her?
You and the girls.
You mean everything to me.
We love you, too.
But you have got to let
these girls
have their dreams.
She can figure it out
if something went wrong.
You mean Aunt could figure
it out.
She's my baby, too.
And I'll be okay.
Till something happens.
Let her try at least
four years.
She can always come
home if it doesn't work out.
She better.
I'm going to miss her.
I miss her already.
Hey.
Okay.
Doing this for you.
I know.
Thank you.
Tell you how pretty
you look in that blue shirt?
So full of yourself.
Okay. Take it down
a notch.
I'll be in deep doo doo
if I-dah-tse finds out
about me
going to see Sis.
But she really wants to be
a rock singer.
I hope
these guys are good.
They're great.
I hear you got a scholarship
to some school in the East.
Who told you?
You know
there's no secrets
around here.
I won
a writing scholarship
for one of my stories.
See, I told you.
And you were crying around
about how hard you have it.
"I'm not that smart!" Boo-hoo.
I really don't know
know if I can handle it.
There you go again.
Remember what I told you?
Try hard and do your best.
I really don't know if Dad
will let me go.
He thinks staying around
here is really great.
There's no place I'd rather be.
You too?
Is this a conspiracy?
It's not like I'm never
coming back.
You better.
I haven't even left yet
and everyone's going crazy.
They want to know if
you're leaving us.
Leaving the rez.
What do you think?
Some people think they're
bigger than this place.
Well, I'm not one of them.
Hi.
Ken Armstrong, music promoter.
Great set.
I'm- what?
Great set!
I can't hear.
Can we talk outside, please?
Yeah.
You heard of me?
Should I?
I like your music.
You write all your own songs?
Some of them. Why?
I produce the First Nation
Music Festival in Canada.
Harbourfront.
You heard of it?
You can get yourself
up to Toronto by October 1st.
I'll get you in the lineup.
How do I know you're for real?
You got my card!
I manage
other Aboriginal artists.
What's that got to do with me?
Hey, you forgot this. You
rocked it tonight.
Good job.
So what's your take for tonight?
None of your business.
Chump change.
You got too much talent
for this place.
If you can get yourself up
there,
I will get you
in the Harbourfront.
Then what?
You need representation.
What about the band?
Lose them.
Here.
She doesn't want one.
Excuse me.
I don't appreciate
you giving my little sister
alcohol.
October 1st.
October 1st!
What rock did he crawl
out from under?
He wants me to come to Canada
and start a career there.
But you got to finish school.
Dad, will-
You don't get it.
Sis, I want
you to take this for school.
Where did you get $200?
Here.
Are you drug dealing?
I just told you.
You're not the only one
in the family with talent.
Who is that drummer
on stage tonight?
His family's from Ralston.
I can support the music,
but not you hanging around
with these lowlifes.
And you think I have to do
what you tell me to
because you're the oldest?
Native way.
You're supposed to.
Sis!
You know how it's going
to be for you.
Smart one.
And you're the bad one?
I'm the lead singer in a band.
I want to go to Canada.
Be a star...like Star Nayea.
Do Mom and Dad know?
All Dad cares about is his next
beer.
Now, I want you to take this.
It's not blood money.
I sang
my heart out for every penny.
All right,
let's get out of here.
Come on.
Will you keep an eye on her?
You know I will.
I got a bad feeling about this.
Here it is.
What?
Gerald American Horse, Native
American Literature 210.
That's a second year course.
Well, half the reason I wanted
to go to Dartmouth was to study
with American Horse.
Most people don't make a living
as a writer.
But I really want to write
I-Ko's stories.
Will they pay the rent?
You should minor in education
so you can get your
teaching license.
What is this teaching thing
with you?
I want to be free.
Why do you want to
keep pinning me down
to something for the
rest of my life?
If you want to keep
your independence,
you'll need a job.
Well, do I have to decide
to be a teacher today?
You got to be able
to take care of yourself.
Why is everything so serious
all the time with you guys?
I've always listened to you.
This is my life.
I don't want to be a teacher.
It's not what I want to do.
You don't have to teach school.
But your options are-
Teaching, teaching, and
teaching.
Don't you think I would
have preferred
not to have been
a teacher myself?
I could-
What? Go work
at the agency like your mom?
Sounds exciting.
Telling our stories and finding
a way to get them some respect
sounds exciting.
I'm not trying to hold you down,
but...I just don't
want you to end up
like your mother did.
What's that supposed to mean?
At a job where you see people do
desperate things every day
and you go home and do desperate
things at night.
I just don't want you to
become like that.
This is too much for me.
It's all I can do to get there.
I know.
You don't have
to make a decision now,
but teaching literature
is your best option.
Sis.
Oh, I love you.
I'm so proud of you.
Everything's
going to be all right.
Did you know Sis was singing
in dives?
No!
That girl.
She should join a drum group
and be a lady singer
if she wants to sing.
Paul loves Posh-Puh.
I-Ko's recipe?
Mhm.
I promise to tell you something
if you promise not to tell.
He said he really loves
your cooking.
Even better than mom's.
Don't tell her that-
He thinks you'll make Paul
a good wife.
How come you never remarried?
He's a good man.
He's a kind man.
And he loves me
without trying to change me.
And he doesn't drink.
Mom stayed with Dad
even though he drinks.
Yeah, well,
you have to talk to your mother
about that.
What are you going to do
about Randy?
What do you mean?
Well, you know he's crazy
about you.
He's driving me crazy.
Don't underestimate him.
He's a lot like Paul.
We're just friends.
Well, if you find someone
as good as him,
we'll all go to the wedding.
How about graduation first?
There you go.
Can I have both?
Can I still be a traditional
Indian
woman with a family
and still have my dreams?
No way.
Wow. You look amazing, baby.
Oh, shut up.
Oh, thank you.
You should stay for a while.
You'd be in the presence
of a real life hero.
I was just doing my job.
Tell me. I want to know.
He made a big arrest
in the park.
Some people were k*lling
bald eagles
and burying them in a stash
so they could sell
their feathers in parts
to wannabes.
Enough about me.
Happy belated birthday, Sis.
Thank you!
How did you know what I like?
I saw you scrape your plate
clean
when your aunt made her famous
cake.
Mm.
By the way, congratulations.
This is really exciting
about your scholarship.
You know, when I was your age,
I got one, too.
You did?
I just want to tell you,
whatever you decide to do,
you have to give it your all.
I want to be a writer.
Aunt said they're telling all
about your story
at the park now.
and about our people
being there, too.
I want to tell our stories.
That's good.
We were just talking about
Sis becoming a teacher.
Leave her alone.
She's not you.
Let her figure it out.
Whose side are you on, anyway?
You fight with your brother.
You fight with your supervisor.
I love you with all my heart.
But you're always telling people
what to do.
Well, it's our own way
to do things-
You're not everybody's
older sister.
Come on.
I love you.
But this is her life.
It's hard to make a
living as a writer.
My dad wanted me
to join the army
so I can make a living.
If I'd have done
that, I'd be dead
over in some hole in Vietnam.
Okay, young lady.
You want a story?
Sure.
Here's a story.
Indians k*lling eagles
in a national park
for their feathers
and then selling them.
So how does it end?
You're the writer.
Make it up.
Not so fast, young lady.
Eeh-nah made dinner for you.
I'm sorry I-dah-tse.
I forgot to call.
Well, your mom was worried
about you.
I told her where you were.
Your mother and I
had a talk.
I stand by what I said.
You can go.
Really?
Sit down, baby.
Our ways are good.
It's gotten us through
a lot.
I want you to promise
me, you're not
going to forget who you are
once you get there.
I promise.
I'm not going to be close by,
so if some ne-stahheh gives you
a hard time-
I'll have my medicine with me
to protect me.
Remember?
I remember.
I gave it to you.
I really love you,
I-dah-tse.
Your mama loves you, too.
I know.
I want you to promise
that you're going to call
every week.
Don't tell your mom,
but I think she's worried
you're going to call Aunt
before you call her.
I promise I'll call her.
ever tell you I got a B.S.
degree?
You did?
But I thought you didn't finish.
I got a B.S. degree from
What's A Matter U.
Huh?
What's A Matter U.
It's funny!
Oh...
I get it.
I love you.
Love you too, baby.
I'm going to miss the sky.
That's why I never want to
leave here.
You nervous about leaving?
A little.
You know,
if things don't work out,
you can always come home.
I got something for you.
It's so beautiful.
Nothing but the best for you.
It's so pretty.
I don't think
I should accept it.
Why?
Well,
just because you bought me
a beautiful bracelet
doesn't mean you own me.
Well, what's that
supposed to mean?
Don't go counting on
an arranged marriage.
From what I've seen of
marriage.
it doesn't look so good to me.
I'll take my chances.
You're pretty sure of yourself.
This way...
we can keep in touch with it.
This way I know you're
okay, and...
just don't go turning into
one of those overeducated
Ivy League Indians now.
I won't.
You're too
beautiful the way you are.
And you deserve a rez boy,
not some fancy Indian lawyer.
And who might that rez boy be?
I want a Osage girl.
Just remember, you're one of us.
You'll be okay.
I don't think I'll be able
to sleep tonight.
I have to be up at 5:00.
Count buffalos.
Will you be
there when the bus
comes tomorrow?
I wouldn't miss it for anything.
My baby.
I'll be okay.
I know you call us any time
you want to, okay?
- I will.
- Okay.
It's so good to see you,
thanks for coming out.
Everybody in the village
chipped in.
Go ahead and open up.
I want you to take this too.
Our folks have a saying.
Life happens quick.
So get on with it.
We're going to be here
for you
when you come back.
I'm so proud of you.
Thank you, I-Ko.
I love you.
Be good.
I will. I'll miss you.
I'll be with you.
Erin will you hold this
for me, please?
Thank you.
I meant what I said.
I'm ready to give your day those
two paint horses you love.
Right now.
I promise I'll email you
as soon as I get set up.
Okay?
I'll keep an eye on your sister
for you.
Thank you.
Auntie wanted you to have this.
Everyone is so proud of you.
Get your suitcase.
This is holy medicine.
You're going to meet
all different
kind of people out there.
Now, don't you go
marrying some born again Indian.
He's a traditional Indian.
Like you.
What is this?
An arranged marriage?
Oh, this is from Paul.
Anything you need.
Tell Paul I said thank you.
I will. I love you.
I love you, too.
You take care of
yourself.
I will.
Be good, okay?
Bye, angel.
Hey!
You're a skin, aren't you?
- Yeah.
- Me too.
Cool. What's your name?
I'm Shannon.
I'm Osage.
I'm Glen, Mic Mac.
I'm trying to catch a train to
Hanover, New Hampshire.
I'm trying to get there,
but I can't find the gate.
I'm actually
taking the same train,
but we kind of need to step
on it, okay?
Oh, okay.
I'll show you the way.
Here, let me help you.
Why, thank you.
What do you have in here,
a dead body?
I like my shoes.
What would have happened
if we missed the train?
You would have been
sleeping on the streets with,
um...
all the homeless people
who have no place to go.
Really?
Really.
They really live on the streets?
There aren't any homeless
people back home.
Well,
these people don't think
like us.
So my car is over there.
I'll drop you off at your dorm.
But you should go to student
services tomorrow
because they can help you
with getting a job.
It's not like I'm completely
broke or something.
My aunt gave me some ma-zeh-ska.
Oh did she?
Well, there are no Indian
prices around here.
If you want, I can go with
you.
We just met.
Who are you to tell me
I have to get a job.
I'm telling you something
for your own good.
You know these people...
They think we're all dead.
And the only people that are
gonna care about you...
is other Indians.
Well, I grew up in Oklahoma.
I think
I can take care of myself.
You're not getting it.
You're not on your rez anymore.
Well, my aunt said that-
You know, man and the woman
only argue like this
when they're together.
So how about we continue
this conversation tomorrow
over some pizza?
Like a date?
I- I just got here.
Come on.
I'll give you my phone number.
You can use it whenever you
need help.
Did you tell your father
dinner was ready?
Mom, why are you blaming
this on me?
You knew he was drinking
when he came home.
Dad we're waiting on you
to say grace.
Grace.
People who are drinking...
shouldn't be praying.
I just had one beer.
Sure.
Better watch your mouth,
little girl.
You smell like the whole
brewery.
I wonder how your
sister's doing.
She called Aunt and told her
she got up there okay.
She doesn't talk much...
to us, anyway.
She's a strong girl,
and she'll figure things out
on her own.
Well, maybe she'll let
us know more soon.
She'll be home for
Christmas, right?
You could call her.
Slow down. You're
eating too fast.
I'm going out after
dinner.
Whoa, uh, your mother and I
had a meeting with your teacher.
You have a few beers when
you talked to him?
I should whip you for
talking to me like that!
Andrew.
I'm your father.
Don't think I'm going
to forget
because you're being
mean to me.
Your teacher said...
you need to start focusing on
your homework.
You're smart enough.
You just don't
try to do your best.
Oh , try hard.
Do your best.
What has gotten into you?
Last couple papers.
You got C's and D's.
Now your teacher said you
got to get an A.
If you want to go to college
like your sister,
you've got to maintain
a B average.
Everything is about my sister.
And nothing is about me.
What are you talking about?
You always wanted me to be
like her.
Your father loves you.
You keep talking like that...
you're going to end up in your
room all weekend.
It's true. She's your favorite.
What is wrong with you?
Mom!
You don't even know me.
Why can't
you just be a good girl
like your sister?
Andrew.
See, I told you.
I'll never be like sis
and you'll love me either.
That's not true!
Of course we love you.
I love you, sis.
No, you don't!
You only want me if I'm going
to be like my sister.
And if you love me so much,
why don't you help me!
Erin!
Sit down.
You're
being way too hard on her!
Oh, now this is my fault?
Her sister just left.
What does that have to do with
anything?
She misses her.
She's right.
You two are always
ganging up on me.
You know, first, you
take my older girl!
And now you're trying to
take my little one.
Well,
that's not going to happen!
I'm drawing the line!
It's not your fault, daughter.
Hey girlfriend, you
still want to go
rehearse tonight?
Yeah.
Better hurry before tribal
police
sees us hanging out too
long.
So is sis joining us?
I knocked on her door,
but she didn't answer.
Sis is gone.
Erin?
She left.
I don't know why
she didn't say something.
I give up on that girl.
Doesn't matter what we do.
She turns on us.
One minute she wants your love
and the next minute she doesn't.
Alright, call your sister.
See if she went there.
I'll call Shannon.
No, don't- don't call Shannon.
This is not her problem.
Erin will just come home,
and her friends
will give up on her,
and they'll send her away.
She's gone.
What part of that do
you not understand?
Carrie, you need to
settle down.
No, you need to call that
Johnson girl.
Them two girls are stuck
together like glue.
Carrie, would you just listen
to me for a second?
Carrie!
Don't overreact.
I'm just calling to see
if she's around.
So when's the
last time you'd seen her?
Last night after supper.
When did you notice her missing?
Not until this morning
when she missed breakfast.
You have any recent photos
of her or anything like that?
Well, of course
I have some in my purse.
I'll need her full name,
date of birth.
Nick, it's Erin. You
know Erin.
And I understand,
and I grew up with y'all.
I know y'all, and just
procedural wise here-
Okay, fine. It's Erin Elizabeth.
She was born July 14th, 1998.
Right.
Aren't you supposed to be
to be writing this down?
Andrew.
I do this on an everyday basis.
I have a pretty good memory.
Who's that?
- Randy.
- Randy!
Randy! Randy.
Randy, have you seen little sis?
Folks as I was saying a
while ago.
I apologize.
My hands are going to be tied
up for the next 48 hours.
Damn it out loud!
No, we can't wait that long!
You know, it's procedure wise,
without an actual
observation
of abduction here, can't
do much more.
Best I can do on
my end is contact
other law enforcement agencies,
put out a bulletin,
see if they've had any contact.
Nick, you're an Indian!
That's why we called you.
Andrew-
ANDREW: And you're standing
there like some kind of white
cop that don't give a damn!
Andrew!
Andrew, I apologize once again.
I understand what you're going
through here.
That's the best I can do
on my end.
My hands are gonna be tied
up for the next 48 hours.
Nick...
Let's call sis.
Fine, fine.
We'll call Shannon.
It's gonna be all right.
I hope so.
Nick, find my daughter.
I'll do my best.
I need to
use the bathroom. Where's the-
Hi.
Hi! I'm Liz!
Nice to meet you.
I'm Shannon.
I thought we made
better arrangements
- For you...
- Mom!
We did not pay this place
a pretty penny
so that you could live
like this.
Mom, shut up!
If somebody made a mistake,
there's some flunky in
student housing
who's going to be looking for
work.
Oh, my God.
I am so sorry.
You do not have to share a room
with those type of people.
Don't worry.
I didn't plan on living
with a bunch of white trailer
trash either.
Now, see what you've done.
Don't worry.
I'll get you moved out of here
tomorrow.
Why do you always have
to ruin everything for me?
Can't you
just let me have my own life?
I want to apologize for my mom.
If you got so much money, how
come you don't have any class?
Look, I know you're really hurt,
and you probably don't
want to have anything
to do with me right now.
That's right.
Are you going to move out?
As soon as they find
a place for me.
But where are you going tonight?
I have a friend.
I'm going to try and see
if I can stay with him.
Look, I'm really sorry,
but my mom is...
Shannon, please don't move out!
I don't want to lose
another roommate because of her.
Please believe me.
I'm really sorry
if she hurt you.
My whole family's not like this.
My dad's really tolerant.
There's no need to apologize.
My father's an alcoholic.
Does that mean,
you're not going to move out?
It means all
the other rooms are filled.
I can't take it anymore.
It's been like this my
whole life.
I'm here because she wants
me to get an MRS degree.
Is that what you want to do?
No.
Then why are you doing it?
Why don't you try studying
what you want to do?
That never occurred to me.
The only way I'm going to
have my own life
is by getting my degree
so I can write.
So what made you come
all the way up here?
I got a scholarship.
I can't help but wonder
if we were on your turf
and my mom were
my mom...
what would happen?
You're
not going to believe this
but my father didn't
want me to come out here.
He was afraid
I wouldn't be able to handle it
if I met someone like your mom.
You're not going
to tell him, are you?
Nah.
I wish I could leave my mother
and leave all this behind,
but she'd follow me.
You're not the only one
with a crazy family.
You should see mine.
Is that an invitation?
Because if it is,
I'll take you up on it.
I promise not to bring my mom.
You got a deal.
But not now.
I got to get used to this place
first.
I have something else
to tell you.
When I first saw your last name,
I didn't know
where you were from.
When I found out
my roommate was an Indian,
I didn't know what to think.
I mean, forget my mother.
I didn't know what to think.
About what?
What I mean is...
I never lived
with an Indian before.
And?
I saw your last name
and I thought it would be fun.
Oh!
Girlfriend,
you need a stylist.
Here, take this.
Thanks.
Better!
Don't lose it.
Could you give
some of your schoolbook money
to an old lady
who really loves to read
stories?
I need a new textbook.
You're a traditional Indian
woman.
Hey, what's up?
Not much.
You like it?
I do.
Looks good with the bracelet.
Thanks.
I'm really hungry.
What do you want?
I'll take
whatever you're having.
Okay. I'll be right back.
I'll be back in a few.
Give me the bracelet.
While you're at it.
Those earrings.
Are you okay?
You?
Townies.
They wanted my bracelet.
All right, let's get out
of here
before they get back.
Al?
That's right!
Hi, I'm Glen.
Hey, lonesome.
I see you have a laptop,
Mac or PC?
Mac.
Mm hmm. Me too.
I'm sorry. What was-
What was your major again?
Literature. You?
Pre-law.
You like it?
Yeah. Yeah, um...
I want to do Indian law.
It's the best defense we have.
Hi! I'm Roberta Blackbird.
Daniel James here.
Shannon Ki-He-Kah-zhe.
Roberta is the president
of the Indian Student Alliance.
You look familiar.
You staying at the
Indian student house?
Dorm.
Any special reason why?
That's where they put me.
My roommate's
a really nice girl.
Indian?
No.
Wah-ce-ju?
What do you want to live
with some white girl for?
Come stay with us.
We'll make room for you.
Most of the real skins
live in the house.
I've already tried to move.
And?
And my scholarship
wouldn't cover it.
It didn't affect mine.
She likes the wah-ce-ju.
Lighten up you two.
Is he snagging her?
I thought the two of
you were through.
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Guess who's at it again?
What happened?
She makes me feel two feet tall.
I told her I wanted to
be an artist.
She said that I have no talent.
Your work is really great.
No matter what I do, it's
never good enough.
You've got more talent
in your little finger
than most
people have in their whole body.
Thanks.
Hey, can I fan you off?
Okay. Yeah.
Stand up.
Hold out your hands.
I'm so lucky to have you
as my roommate.
It's going to be okay.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Hey.
How was it?
It's all right for now.
Your parents know?
No.
I told them the band's making
a demo over the weekend.
Since you're not
doing anything,
I need you to pick up a package
from Jake's for me
tomorrow morning.
Pick up your own stupid package.
Who are you, some kind of Osage
Princess?
I'm an artist.
Since when did you even pick up
a mic stand?
I don't really know
my way around over here
that well.
You know old man Milsap's
Ranch?
The road
going right out the back there.
The house on the left, off
the road.
Isn't that the house where
Big Links got k*lled?
People say there's
bad medicine there.
People say lots of stuff.
Yeah, but
I don't want any
bad medicine on me.
Ain't nothing happened to
me so far.
You'll use the Chevy out front.
Stay here.
Help out.
Unless you want your parents
to find out where you've been.
Please sit down.
It says here that
you're my advisor.
I need some advice...
about taking your creative
writing class.
You're a freshman.
I know it's a level two course,
but I was wondering
if I could take it anyway.
I'm thinking about becoming a
writer
and your class
is the only one taught by
one of us.
I'm very impressed
how your mind works.
Most Indian students take
my course
thinking
they're going to get an easy A.
Do they usually get an A?
They usually do mediocre work.
Well, I'm no mediocre student.
I got a full scholarship.
You have something I
can read?
Oh!
I remember this!
It got me my scholarship.
I'm glad you're here.
You can help us prove
what we do here.
The Regents are considering
the possibility
of canceling Native Lit.
You're kidding.
Afraid not.
But what about our stories?
They really don't matter.
They actually believe we
can't think.
Oh, I forgot to ask you.
Where are you from?
Oklahoma.
This is lit class. Yeah I
was a freshman too.
Need help with the books?
Nah, I got it.
Remember, you promised
not to interfere.
That'll be $360.
I can pay for some now
and put the others on layaway.
You can use your credit card.
I don't have one.
You better get one then.
If you want to pay for these.
I don't even have a bank
account.
Around here, everybody has
them.
I have two or three myself.
Oh, yeah? How much you
owe on them?
That is none of your business.
Bet you owe plenty
or you wouldn't be working this
two bit job
here, making yourself
and everyone else miserable.
You want to buy all these
books?
You'll
have to pay for all of them.
Actually, um...
we're together.
Here, you can put this on
a single
and charge on my card.
You don't have a bank account?
Uh, may I also have a receipt,
please?
Thank you.
I hope the rest of your day
goes well.
Are you trying to snag me?
Because my name isn't "Princess
Spreads Her Legs for
He Who Seeks a Piece."
Where did that come from?
I could have handled her.
You just happened to be there.
I just happened to be there?
Who do you think
you are, anyway?
Okay.
Excuse me.
Allow me to introduce myself.
I'm the guy that met up with you
at Grand Central.
I'm the guy that drove you
up here.
I'm the guy that helped
you get a job.
I'm the guy
that bought your books.
So what is this, a guilt trip?
I'm doing these things
because you're my relative.
We're both Indians, remember?
So how about a little
gratitude, huh?
Or do they not teach manners
on your rez?
Hmmm, so you think I owe
you something?
I don't have a scholarship,
okay?
I had to pull myself up
from nothing.
And you accuse me
of trying to snag a piece?
Are you kidding?
I mean,
don't get me wrong,
you're pretty and all,
but I don't operate that way.
I thought you were like me.
I wake up at 4:30
every morning to go to work
to put myself through school.
I'm trying to tell you
I don't like owing people money.
Okay.
Then trade up.
I need help with a paper.
I don't cheat.
Not that way.
You can edit it.
Tell me what I need to work on.
You want to be a writer,
don't you?
Yeah.
Yeah, I do.
Cut me some slack.
I guess.
Okay, and after that we can
grab something to eat.
Okay.
What's the matter with you?
Look like you just lost
your best friend.
It's worse.
I got a C on my short story.
Quelle difference ?
I get them all the time.
But it's for my native lit class
So?
I'm native, the teacher's
native,
the books are by natives.
What's worse is my teacher's
notes say-
Your professor.
My professor's notes
said it was "surprisingly boring
and lacked imagination."
Not what he had expected.
There are people who will
ghostwrite your paper
for a fee.
It's creative writing.
Besides, that's wrong.
True, but it's done
all the time.
I have to keep
a really high average
or I'll lose my scholarship
and have to go back home.
It's who you know
as much as what you know.
I don't know anybody.
What's the story about
anyway?
It's about a native girl
who gets in a fight
with her roommate
and goes out to get drunk.
She's visited by an old native
woman
whose ghost of all her
ancestor's past
wanting her
not to start drinking.
Sounds great.
So, make an appointment
with your professor and find out
why he's so disappointed
in your work.
It all feels so different.
Everything's happening so fast.
I want to talk to you
about my story.
The one about the homeless
alcoholic
who befriends a student.
What would you like to know?
You said it lacked insight.
Into the character's main line.
Instead, you have his life
surroundings
like a voyeur
rather than someone
who's actually lived it.
For instance?
A drunken Indian.
Really?
That's all you could do?
If you're going to write
about Indians,
write about your father
or your grandfather.
I'd like to write
about things back home.
Are you living
in the Indian house?
Dorm.
Wouldn't you rather
be living with the Indians?
If I wanted to stay with them,
I could have stayed at home.
True.
I want to make it on my own.
Are you happy?
I room with a really rich
white girl.
Her mom hates natives.
She unloaded it on me right
away.
Is her last name Mortimer?
How do you know?
Let's just say
she has a reputation
that precedes them.
In what way?
Well,
they're big time donors
to the school.
Their family started the lobby
to prevent the appointment
of a chair of Native
American Studies.
They believed
the whole program
would bring down the overall
academic excellence
of this university.
But we're
such great storytellers.
I can't believe a rez girl
to be so naive.
But it's the truth.
I don't...
assume to know
what their motivations are.
My roommate's
a really nice girl.
She's not like that.
Wouldn't you be happier, though,
if you were living
with the other Indians?
You sound so cynical.
I'm not-
I'm- I'm a realist.
I believe this university
has not given
this department the respect
it deserves.
They gave me a scholarship,
and you gave me a mediocre
grade
on my first essay.
That's
because you could do better.
Much better.
-But you're holding back.
-How?
What you're doing is
you're confining
all the things
of your story
into what you think
that I would like
about the story.
And you're not writing
the real story.
You're not painting
the real picture
of your thoughts and feelings.
You're holding back.
Shannon. Shannon.
Your family's
been calling all day.
Hello.
What are you doing there?
It's your sister, Erin.
What?
Sis, she's gone!
Oh no.
The band doesn't
know where she is either.
When did this happen?
I'll come home.
Sis.
No, no, you stay put!
We have to find her.
I'm coming home.
She's right.
For once in your life,
listen to me.
I miss you like crazy,
but...
You can't fix this.
I miss you, too.
I miss everyone.
I miss sis.
Don't worry.
She'll come back
and everything will be okay.
What happened?
My little sister
ran away from home.
I told you.
You're not the only one
with a crazy family.
Everything all right?
Stupid computer.
Maybe I can help
you with using a mac.
I don't feel like talking.
You remember the article
you helped me edit?
On the 45th anniversary...
of the American Indians studies?
Well it's getting a
lot of responses,
and the editor wants me
to do a series.
You want to tell me what's
got you so worked up?
Stupid story.
American Horse's lit class,
right?
Word has it he parties.
Great. Isn't anybody
here for real?
I wish you hadn't told me that.
Now I feel worse.
So tell me what's really
bothering you.
He doesn't like my writing.
Is that all?
I'm afraid
it won't be good enough again!
I see you met my roommate.
Oh, hey, Liz.
You guys know each other?
It's not like that.
Anyways,
I can get going.
Indian student house
Saturday evening.
You coming?
If I ever get this done.
You'll get it done. Bye, Liz.
I need your help with something.
Can it wait?
I need someone to write a paper
on expansionism
for my American history course.
I can pay you.
You need the money, don't you?
That's not the point.
What's the big deal?
I thought we were friends.
Friends, don't ask friends
to lie.
So how are your classes going?
They're fine.
I'll bet.
I'm going to go.
Hey. How's it going?
Going good.
Would you like something
to drink?
Uh, not really.
Come on. It's a party.
Okay, fine. Take a beer.
There you go.
Hey, guys.
- Hey!
- Hey, what's up?
How you doin?
Make way!
Oh! I'm so sorry
I'm gonna get you a towel.
It's okay.
Ohh...
You look like
you could use a beer.
Oh, sorry.
You okay?
Yeah.
How's life with a wah-ce-juh?
You think you're an insider?
They gave me a scholarship.
The rest us have it hard.
But you're their Indian.
How stupid do you think I am?
Sooner or later,
they'll dump on you too.
Then what are you gonna do?
- Hey guys.
- Hey!
Hey...
Hey!
What are you guys doing in here?
We're about to chug.
Oh, my gosh.
All right, then.
Oh!
Here you go.
So. Three, two, one.
Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!
Chug! Chug!
Chug! Chug!
Big man! Yeah!
- My turn! My turn!
- Yes!
Get in here! Come on!
Alright, hold my drink
somebody.
Ready?
- Yes.
- Ready for this?
- Yeah!
- Three...
two, one...
Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!
Chug! Chug!
Yeah! Yes!
All ready?
Three, two, one...
Chug! Chug! Chug!
Chug! Chug!
Yeah- yo, you want to
go again! Alright.
Oh, man.
Here we go-
Ohhh!
- Okay.
- No, cut him off.
Cut him off.
- He can't do it!
- Come on! Let's go!
All right.
There you go.
No, no, no!
Whoa! Hey!
No, cut him. He's done.
He's done.
- Alright.
- Let's go outside.
There you go, big man!
- Whoo!
- Wait, stop...
Oh, be careful.
Careful. I got you.
I got you.
Oh, man.
Look, careful!
No, no, no, no, no, no.
- Come on!
- Come on, come on.
Nooooo! We're not doing that,
stop- Hey!
What-
What are you doing?
Are you crazy,
first and foremost?
I came here to go to school,
not find a boyfriend.
Is there someone
I should know about?
You heard me.
Oh, you're messed up.
You're kind of young...
to be drinking all night.
Somebody break your heart?
Who are you?
Indian way.
I'm your relative.
I was the first Indian woman
to win a literature scholarship.
I won prizes all over the place.
That's what's left of them.
What happened?
I started partying more
and writing less.
I'm not really like this.
I was just having fun.
I didn't say
I didn't have a good time
when I did it to myself.
But...
there's something
that you are going to do
for all of us.
Come on...
Wake up.
You're going to be late
for work.
I'm sick.
My head hurts.
"Stars fell upon their catch.
A girl, not yet twenty-four
but bond as morning birds
began a dance that drew men
in green around her skirts.
In dust,
her magic jangled
memories of dawn
till fox and grief
turned nightmares
into their sleep.
And this fish, not fish,
but stars."
That is the magic fox
from the collection writing
the Earth Boy 40
by Gros Ventre and Blackfeet
poet,
James Welch.
May he rest in peace.
I have some
other bad news
I need to share with you.
The university is going to make
some changes
to the Native Studies program.
In fact, there's a possibility
they might cancel
this class altogether.
You guys act like you're
so surprised.
We're always expendable.
Why do they always want
to take everything away from us?
I'm afraid
it's much worse than that,
Shannon.
I've heard there's a possibility
they're going to cut
all the funding
for your scholarship.
Can we do something?
Yeah.
We got rights, too.
I'm afraid I'm not that hopeful.
What will happen to you?
I have tenure.
I won't be their victim.
Our stories are important, too.
She's putting on her paint.
What about the school paper?
Are they covering it?
That's a good idea.
They don't even have
an Indian Affairs column.
They have a native writer.
How come you people
always get religion
when it's all over with?
I was just trying to help.
It's not her fault.
I forgot.
They're your friends.
I heard you guys talking.
Do you need some support?
We don't need your help.
I want to fight
to save our stories.
These people are our allies.
A-ho!
Your allies.
Our allies.
We're going to stick together.
I'll see what I can
find out
on the inside.
I hear you all.
I'll have to give it
some more thought.
Maybe the next class
we could meet and...
talk some more
and come up with a strategy.
I just wish you guys would
put this much
fire in your own writing.
A-ho!
We got this guys.
This university
was founded
by a Native American.
Then they wouldn't
allow us
to set foot on this place
for over 200 years.
It's weird sometimes
being an exile on your own land.
When I came here,
I wanted to be a lawyer.
I was going to take
all those things
and write them for our people.
Then I found our native writers.
And then I realized
our artists are our truth
tellers.
They protect our image
in the world.
Your essay
could change the equation.
What do you mean?
I want you
to present your essay
to the Board of Trustees.
But you trashed my essay.
That's because
I knew you could do better.
Now you tell me.
You don't worry.
We'll pick your best work.
If you do this,
you'll
be able to come back here.
And then you can make sure
that anybody else who gets
this scholarship
will never lose it again.
I'm looking for my sister
Shannon.
I think she works here.
Yeah, she works here. I just
need you to-
I just need Shannon.
Can you get Shannon now,
please?
- Um, well I-
- Can you please get Shannon.
I just really need
my sister.
Hey, where are you going?
- Don't touch me.
- I'm not touching you.
Hey! It's
someone that says she's
your sister
is at the front desk.
She wants talk to you.
I'll finish. You better get down
there before campus
cops arrest her.
- Hey!
- Will you move out of my
Put the book-
ERIN: way, please?
Put the book-
ERIN: I need to go!
- Put the book down!
- Will you get out of
my way?
Can you move? Will you
GUARD: Put the book down-
- Get out of my way?
- Put the book down now!
- I need to get past you!
- Want me to call for help?
- I need to go!
- Put the book down!
- Stand over there!
- I need to go!
I-ton-e-zhin-ga? I-ton-e-zhin-ga
Do you know this woman?
She's my sister.
Are you trying to get me
fired?
I'm trying to keep myself
from getting k*lled.
There are some people after me,
and if they find me,
they're going to sh**t me.
Why are they after you?
I am a bad person.
You don't want to mess with me.
You know, I just-
I just need a place to hide
for a couple of days.
And then I'll be
out of your life for good.
I'm going to Canada.
What did you do?
I stole $35,000
from a drug dealer,
and I've been running
for two days straight.
So that's
how you got your new look?
I wasn't thinking about what I
was getting myself into.
You know, I was doing a drop
off, and I looked in the box
and I saw how much money was in
it, and I just-
I just took it.
Just like that?
You know,
I have always dreamt
of striking out
and starting a new life
somewhere else.
I've thought about going to
Canada
for a long time.
I'm going to go -
I'm going to go to Toronto.
You know, I'm gonna become-
I'm going to become a rock
singer.
I'm going to change my name.
I'm going to be happy.
You'll see.
I'm going to be a star.
I've got the money to do it now.
Come on, let's go to the dorm.
You've been through a lot.
- You need rest!
- No! No!
I cannot go to the dorms.
You do not understand.
I am radioactive.
I just... I just need a place to
hide for a couple of days.
You got to find me
a place to crash.
Then why did you
come here?
I haven't slept in three days.
I haven't eaten.
How did you even get here?
You look like a t*rror1st.
No luggage, just cash and
a plan?
I- I took his car,
I ditched it, I took the plates,
and I got a bus
the rest of way here.
I'm so sorry.
I wasn't going to come.
I just couldn't
get all the way to Canada.
It's too far.
It's going to be okay.
I know somebody.
We'll figure it out.
Come on.
You stay here.
I don't know what he'll say.
Shh! Stop!
Stop it.
There, now you look
like a student.
I know we had our differences,
but I need your help.
My sister's in trouble
and she needs a place to stay.
I was hoping maybe
you had an apartment
or a room.
Some place she can crash
for a couple of days.
You can't put her up
in your dorm?
No. She got in trouble
with a rough crowd.
And now they're after her.
If they find her,
they could k*ll her.
Are you crazy?
Do you expect me to jeopardize
my law career, my future,
for some crazy Indian girl?
Where is she now?
Come on.
This is my baby sister.
Sis, say hello to Glen.
Do you have a passport?
No, I'm just trying to get
to Akwesasne, figured
I'd cross the border there.
This is deja vu all over again.
I met your sister
at Grand Central in New York.
She didn't have a plan either.
She just wanted to get here.
Does your whole tribe travel
this way?
I know you probably don't
feel like messing with us.
You've already done enough
for me already.
I've got friends at Akwesasne.
I'm going to call them.
Sis, I'm so glad to be
here with you.
I just kept telling myself
I got to get to Sis.
Well, thank him.
He's the one leading us now.
Do you think anyone knows
where you are?
No. They'll never find me.
How did you get out here then?
You didn't drive a skin car,
did you?
Dumped that in Indianapolis.
Plates?
Threw them in a cornfield
at a bus stop in another state.
How did you get to campus then?
We took a cab.
Dropped us off
a couple blocks from here.
We weren't followed.
How do you know?
Everybody talks, money talks.
You were followed.
It's just a question of how long
it will take for the information
to get around.
She can't stay with you.
I want to stay with her.
What about defending
your scholarship?
Family comes first.
What's he talking about?
The school wants to drop
the Native
Lit program,
including my scholarship.
Go back to your dorm.
I'm going to Akwesasne.
You stay here.
Don't open the door for anyone.
Oh, my God. Sis!
You're coming with me.
I'm coming with you guys.
I don't want you to lose
your scholarship.
Doesn't matter.
Already done more
for me than I deserve.
I'm going with you.
No!
But you're my little sister!
Sis.
I'm tough.
This pointed me
in the right direction,
I can make it the rest of
the way.
We got to go.
Be safe.
I hope you haven't tried
to contact your family.
My parents are going
to be worried sick.
My grandmother too.
Don't call them.
Your family's
been calling all day.
You didn't tell them
anything about me, did you?
Is everything okay?
Do you need some money?
I'm reading one of my stories
for the committee.
I made a decision.
Tomorrow before the meeting
I'm going to confront my mother.
I really appreciate that.
But this isn't your fight.
It's all of our fight.
If they can do it to you guys,
they can do it to all of us.
It wasn't
supposed to be like this.
Thanks for letting me in.
Yeah, well, you came.
No, no, keep your hands down.
My the little girl?
I didn't know that-
Oh.
No, not anymore.
I'm so sorry.
She was a good student.
She had...
academic scholarship,
graduated with honors.
That was last year.
It was really crazy
the way it happened.
I got up,
got ready to go,
and something strange happened.
I woke up the next day
and they were all gone.
Her...
her mother...
told me...
she was glad
I didn't go.
She...
She was afraid
I would embarrass them.
I gave
my whole career
to this university
to build this department.
I had some of the greatest
writers come through
and they turned
their backs on me.
You can't trust anybody.
You sound like my father.
I don't know whether or not
I can do this.
My sister, she's in trouble.
Shannon,
the wah-ce-juhs
are going to dump us.
You might lose your scholarship.
Is there anyone else
that could help her?
Maybe.
Look who it is.
What's up guys!
Hey, how's it going?
Long time, no see.
Good to see you.
Like the hair cut.
Yeah.
What's up, brother?
Still got the hair, huh?
Say, looking good.
I like that jacket.
Well, it's for you.
Styling.
Well, got to give it
to him now.
Indian way.
Oh!
Fits you better than me.
Got something for you!
Are you serious?
Nice.
Dude, you remembered I
loved your beadwork.
I owed it to you,
remember?
Seriously?
Iroquois Survival
School graduation day.
I told you my family
had something for you.
I completely forgot about that.
I went to go get it,
and when I came back,
you'd already left!
So sorry about that.
It just flew over my head.
Yeah...
Man, I miss you guys
so much.
Same here, man.
Yeah.
So, listen,
when my grandfather d*ed,
I asked him who to go to
when he was gone,
and he said,
go to your Indian people.
Well, I'm here
now, and I need some help
from my peeps.
We got you.
Yeah, bro.
Okay, my friend's little
sister,
she wants to cross the border,
but she's only 15,
and I told her
we might be able to help her.
She an Indian girl?
Yes.
Her family's pretty traditional.
They're good people.
She just fell in with the wrong
crowd.
- Like us.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
I just keep thinking
if someone hadn't
gotten me out of the streets
where I'd be now.
Ditto.
Things at the border
have been a little tight lately.
They're not as loose
as they used to be.
But I think we can get her over.
Yeah, I mean, a friend
been running some whiskey
downstate for some people.
Yeah, no trouble.
It's a little risky,
but it can be done.
When are you guys going?
Tomorrow.
6:30 a.m.
Sharp.
We're here now.
Dude, man, I don't know, though.
I think you need to go back.
You're on a different path,
than we're on.
You know, you wanting to be
a lawyer and all.
You can't be seen doing this.
We'll take it from here.
Go back.
We'll call Sis and I'll tell her
that I made it.
Hey, we got this.
Yeah.
We got you, man.
Okay.
I'm trusting you guys.
You call me
the moment you guys are there.
Absolutely.
Be safe.
Take care.
Be safe.
We've got a problem.
They shut the border down.
They're looking for someone.
Is it us?
I'm scared. Should we go
back?
It's okay. I made a call
and there's
a funeral going on
across the border
in about an hour.
I can slip you in there.
Thank you for coming today.
We have been considering
making some curriculum changes
for some time.
These include permanently
eliminating some courses
and, shall we say, um...
redesigning some others.
The courses in question
are currently offered in native
literature, to be exact.
We are aware that the
Native American students
have a vested interest
in the decisions we will make.
So we asked you here today
with some of your colleagues
to have you talk to us.
Thank you for inviting me.
I can't tell you
the value of stories
to a culture,
but if I said to you
that the Bible is your story,
then all we're trying to do is
write our stories
so people know who we are.
I want to read to you.
It's from the essay
that won my scholarship.
He peered through
the lens of his binoculars,
adjusting the focus
as he strained to hear
their conversation.
One of the young men
opened up the trunk of the car,
reaching inside,
straining to see
what was inside.
He adjusted
the focus of his lens.
Where had the wind gone?
He was in the mountains,
after all.
And the forest was utterly
still.
Were the trees
somehow in mourning?
Brother Raven and Brother Hawk
were not even arguing
about branch rights the way
they usually do.
Instead, they were perched
silently on motionless branches,
as if waiting for a ceremony
to begin.
Afternoon.
Hey! Hey, how are you
doing, officer?
I'm well. I'm well.
How are you-
What seems to be the problem?
I'm just wondering what's
with all the fuss?
With the trailer, what's going
on? I don't really like this.
Oh, no. We have a funeral to
go to.
- Oh, a funeral?
- Yes.
I'm sorry for your loss.
So that's what I assume
is on the back of the cab there?
Yeah. Yeah, that's the casket
back there going over.
Then Brother Crow
suddenly swooped down
and came to rest on the ground.
At first,
he thought he'd come for a taste
of that marmoset roadkill.
But he left it alone and instead
walked around the car
and stopped near the trunk.
What's your buddy
back there doing?
Hey, hey, show some respect.
The hikers always parked
their cars
on the side of the road
near the entrance to the trails,
but his relatives told him
they had come here
for a ceremony.
Suddenly, two Indian men
came out of the woods
at the trails entrance.
Their laughter,
the only sound to pierce the
wall of stillness.
One of them had a r*fle
and the other was carrying
something.
As they opened the trunk,
Brother Crow did not
fly away, but instead
continued to silently witness
hard by the back of the car
As they threw
the carcass of a bald
eagle inside.
Stop!
Put your hands up.
Put your hands up!
He felt a terror in his heart.
He would be the only one of them
who would know that
the pain he felt...
wasn't just for his fallen
relative,
but because his own day
of redemption had come.
Put your hands up.
He would finally make
the payment for that kingfisher
he and his brother had sh*t
with a sling down by
Salt Fork Creek one summer.
The folly of their
youth had misled them to believe
it would not hurt the bird,
and he carried the dull
ache of the loss with him
his whole life.
Silently, he waved to the others
to close them
before the men could get away.
The long wait was over.
He had found
who was k*lling the eagles
and selling them,
and he had finally been able
to honor the bird
he had k*lled when he was a boy.
When it was over,
he took out a small pouch
from his pocket
and poured some tobacco
on the ground
for both birds.
Then he took off his hat
in an odd
respect to his relatives
for telling him
their chief was dead
and leading him to redemption.
We have to save the scholarship
for the
Native American students.
She's going
to divorce court after this.
Thank you.
Hey, sister.
What kind of magic
did you use on her?
But it was the husband
who was going to
shut down the program.
Sis?
We're going to take her there
even if we have to drag her in.
Sis.
Shannon.
You better be decent
because we're coming in.
Sis, we have to go to a meeting.
I don't want to go!
We're having a mourning
meeting
for the family.
I'm not going back to school,
either.
Sis.
You have to get on
with your life.
I never should have left!
No.
She left us.
- No.
- No!
I'm her father.
Look at you,
my little girl.
I'm so sorry.
We need to...
We need to go on with our lives.
Let grandpa fire heal your
heart.
Okay, baby.
We would like to thank you
for having this meeting
for our relative.
That's good.
I appreciate that.
But I didn't do it for Erin.
I did it for you.
For me?
For you.
You're going to have to finish
what she started.
You must go back
and tell her story.
I will.
I've been lonely to see the sky.
That's
why I never want to leave here.
I feel close to the Creator.
The elders used to say we were
too small to understand
all of this.
The great mystery?
The place where endlessness
resides.
If I come back,
I'm going to buy a paint horse
just so I can
look at her out in the meadow,
Thinking about coming back
for good?
Maybe.
Better get two paint horses then
because one will get
lonely all by himself.
Can we talk?
Sure.
There are things that
you need to know.
I'm so sorry about your sister.
She was a great kid,
and...
I just don't
understand
how something that bad
could have to happen to her.
If I had known that
she would have done that-
She was reckless.
Yeah.
That's what I liked
best about her.
Me too.
So I'm surprised
that you came back.
I want to get my degree.
Yeah?
Well, then what?
I'm not sure.
I come from a place where
everyone knows my name, where
all my relatives are buried,
where it's good to be
indigenous.
That sounds nice,
but I think that's
where we differ.
I'm in no hurry to go home.
If you're going to be around.
Maybe we can start over.
We're not a good match.
Did I fail you?
Not a chance.
Then what?
I realize now
that the suffering of
other people in my family
was my payment for me
not to drink myself to death.
I admire you.
Why?
Because you get hurt real bad
like the rest of us.
But you make it work for you.
You could be that way, too,
if you wanted to be.
I'm way too much of a cynic.
Yeah. You got a soft spot,
for me and sis.
True.
Friends, then?
Friends.
Shannon?
Shannon. Hey.
Hey, um...
I'm really sorry
to hear about your sister.
How are you?
It's good to see you.
I'm better.
It's good to be back.
I'll walk with you.
Thank you.
Hey, I'm glad you're here.
Hey, there.
Hello.
Hello.
We have something to tell you.
I quit drinking.
Really?
I've been sober 30 days.
That's wonderful.
She came up so we could
celebrate her one month
anniversary.
My daughter
told me about your sister.
I'm so sorry.
Please accept my condolences.
Thank you
for bringing
my daughter back to me.
I don't know if you know, but
we hadn't gotten along in
quite some time.
One day she came to me
and told me she loved me.
Hearing those words
from my daughter
after so many years.
Reminded me...
how much I love her too.
She told me that you taught her
how to do it.
You guys care a lot about
each other,
I realized I could have
that, too.
I didn't have to protect myself
anymore.
Caring about people
was more important
than covering
it up all the time.
There's something else
I have to tell you.
I know that I hurt you.
It was wrong of me.
I was doing
what the alcohol told me to do.
I wanted to tell you
when you came back.
But then your sister d*ed,
and I just couldn't face you.
What had I done?
Had I driven you away?
You didn't drive me away.
I had to find out some things
on my own.
Some of Sis' stuff is
still here.
I have to pack it up.
I know it's hard for you.
We'll help.
In our tradition, we're supposed
to give her stuff away
to others.
I'd like for you to have this.
Heart Stays, The (2024)
Moderator: Maskath3