Story includes a sympathetic, if patronizing, profile of the family life of Navajo people in Northeastern Arizona in the mid-1950s. Focuses mainly on poverty.
Sponsored and Educational Films, B-Roll and Outtakes
Summary
A young Navajo/Diné boy, Son of the Hunter, must grapple with death, abondonment by his father, his family's limited resources, and being forcibly moved to an indian boarding school. Plus other footage shot during production.
Scenes of Navajo life include: sheepherding and animal husbandry; rug weaving; moccasin making; preparing food; visiting the trading post; farming; a marriage, silversmithing; conducting a sweat; performing a men’s Shooting Way Chant and sandpainting.
Film features primarily Tom Burnsides' silversmithing of a buckle, trading at the post, and close-ups of his wares. Also, striking views of Monument Valley and family herding their flock across the landscape.
Episode of the TV show VAGABOND about Monument Valley and the Navajo people. Navajo-related activities include a cross-cultural exchange with YMCA/YWCA, selling rugs, weaving, sheepherding, cooking, doctor visit.
Overview of Navajo/Diné living conditions, amenities, boarding schools, women working in an Indian hospital, spinning wool and weaving, men building an irrigation system, silversmithing, sand painting, and more.
A profile of Navajo/Diné social life, family structure, and culture. Activities shown: farming corn, sheep herding, preparing corn bread, children and family pets, weaving wool and yarn preparation, loom building, silversmithing, trading goods, and more.