Indian Comics Irregular #106

"Dreamkeeper," an ABC mini-series about the power of Native
storytelling, premiered Dec. 28-29. Interweaving myth and "reality,"
the Hallmark production recounted the life-changing journey of an
angry Lakota youth and his grandfather. The reviews were mixed, but
I'd say it acquitted itself reasonably well.

Curiously, the responses split along ethnic lines. Natives viewed
"Dreamkeeper" much more favorably than non-Natives did. Some
examples:

In the Indian world, the past, present and future all exist as one.
Unlike the European and Middle Eastern worldview, the spiritual and
physical world[s] occupy the same space. Beyond being just a
stunning achievement, the ABC television mini-series "Dreamkeeper"
is also a success in incorporating an Indian worldview. (James
May, Indian Country Today)

Solid acting, great special effects and a well-written script are
just part of the reason the show works. Some of Indian country's
most talented and beautiful cast has been assembled for this
production. (Louis Gray, Native American Times)

The story is actually several stories within a story. It has all
of the elements our old legends have. There are moral lessons,
stories of unrequited love, tragedy, humor, courage, and
redemption. Modern-day life of Indians living on a reservation is
depicted with honesty and respect. (Michelle Gray, Native American
Times)

Films such as this are a good way to break stereotypes and bring
understanding in a painless way. (Dorreen Yellowbird, Grand Forks
Herald)

[Delanna] Studi, a niece of actor Wes Studi, says she hopes
viewers glean "the fact that Native Americans are a living people,
a modern people, and we have such complex and interesting stories.
We are not all the same." (Jacqueline Cutler, Tribune Media
Services)

The Critics Strike Back

Perhaps because they were less famil-iar with Native history and
culture, or less awed by it, non-Native critics were less wowed by
"Dreamkeeper." Some of their opinions:

[It's] a sprawling, four-hour cavalcade of Native American
legends-come-to-life...sympathetic, sincere, scrupulously
researched and sumptuously mounted, but also sentimental,
simplistic and over-long. (Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times)

"Dreamkeeper" takes legends from Native American culture and
dilutes them with shoddy special effects, subpar acting and no
sense of excitement or urgency. (David Bianculli, New York Daily
News)

There's a lot at stake in whether a Lakota youth will open up to
his grandfather's stories. But by presenting these stories with
mind-numbing excess, the mini-series defeats its own message.
Perhaps with a few million dollars less, the filmmakers might have
done "Dreamkeeper" justice. (Matthew Gilbert, Boston Globe)

My views fall somewhere in the middle. I admired "Dreamkeeper" for
the same reasons the Natives did--especially for its
stereotype-busting ways. But several problems kept me from judging it
a superior work of art. Among them were the preponderance of Plains
Indian stories, the sometimes hamfisted messages, and the too-pat
resolution of the conflicts.

At the 12th annual First Americans in the Arts awards ceremony, held
March 20 in Los Angeles, "Dreamkeeper" was the big winner. Eddie
Spears (Shane), Delanna Studi (Talks a Lot), and Teneil Whiskey Jack
(Quillwork Girl) all earned awards for their acting. Hallmark
Entertainment and ABC received Trustee Awards for making and airing
the mini-series.

As for me, I give "Dreamkeeper" a 7.5 of 10. For more comments, visit
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/drmkeepr.htm.

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics