In The Light Of Reverance

Melissa Vandrey

11/28/06

RST 140

In the Light of Reverence portrayed the lives of the three Indian tribes, the Lakota, the Hopi, the Wintu and their struggle to keep their land sacred and protected. An example was Black Hills and the Lakota not wanting to people rock climb on what they consider their church. I would say that I was rather uneducated regarding the issue between Native American cultures and land they consider scared. An issue I have been familiar with though is the one of using Native American symbols/traditions as mascots for athletic programs. I just got done playing volleyball here at Illinois so had first hand experience in the chief debate.

Viewing this movie has opened my eyes to the other side of the story. Of course being an athlete, I did not understand why there was an issue. I felt as though everyone respected the chief and the performance he gave at all the events. Native Americans debated the use of "their people or symbols" as it showed disrespect. I didn't see it that way; I know here at Illinois, the Chief provided a sense of loyalty and pride. I felt as though he represented a strong tribe and tradition, a view that in my experience, most shared. I remember getting upset at the protestors that would attend or matches just to boo the chief; I felt that this showed disrespect to us and the Illinois athletic department. It wasn't until tonight I understood the other side.

The Lakota people weren't debating over the use of their tradition as a mascot, but it does relate to the chief issue. They were requesting respect for their traditions and their land, the land they consider holy and sacred, and it is their church. Yet they had to deal with people choosing recreation over respect. Rock climbers wanted to climb regardless of it showing any disrespect. Although,