The Navajo (Part 1):”The Search for America” – American Indian Film Gathering

Film Details

Title: The Navajo (Part 1):"The Search for America"
Duration: 0:29:03
Director: Dick Hatzell
Writer: Dick Hartzell and Dr. Ralph Patrick, Washington University
Narrator: Dick Hartzell
Sponsor: National Educational Television and Radio Center
Establishing Shot: Camera fades into a black and white Steenback viewer with a man working on a film reel. The camera tracks this man (Hartzell) as he approaches Dr. Patrick.
Major Themes: Navajo tradition and culture in the modern world; assimilation.
Individuals Named: The Burnside family, Johnny Nelson (Navajo translator), anthropologist John Adair; Mabel Burnside-Myers, Alta Burnside-Kahn, Jack Kahn, John Burnside, Isabel, daughter of Mabel, John Hale, father of Burnside girls; Sam Yazzie.
Native Languages Spoken: Yes, Navajo is spoken throughout the film (translated by Johnny Nelson for the narrator)
Noteworthy Elements: The film is concerned with which traditions are being kept, and which traditions are dying out, for the Navajo people due to assimilation. In many cases, the narrator interviews Navajo individuals, who then give their honest opinions. Very informative.
Other: Good question/answer sessions between the narrator and Navajo individuals

Peoples: Navajo

Languages: Navajo