The Dull Knifes is a feature length documentary that tells the story – past and present – of a Native American family that has battled to survive on Pine Ridge in South Dakota for over 130 years. It is a family with a rich history that stretches back over five generations, a story itself emblematic of the broader story of the Native American people. The Dull Knifes have been both warriors and peacemakers and have played critical roles in preserving the Lakota culture and defending the Pine Ridge Reservation from destruction through the generations. And, like the very greatest American families, the Dull Knifes have continually answered the call of their people, their land, and their country.

The film follows several of the Dull Knife children as they enter adulthood, exploring their emerging double consciousness and navigating both school and home life. Simultaneously, the film follows the family’s patriarch, Guy Dull Knife, as he embarks on an artistic journey which explores his family’s legacy. Throughout the course of the year, Guy creates a series of paintings which depict key turning points in the family history, from the breakout at Fort Robinson to Buffalo Bill, through two World Wars and Vietnam, to the Seige at Wounded Knee. The paintings will serve as the basis for animated sequences which will weave throughout the film, emphasizing a continuum of struggle and determination from generation to generation.

The Dull Knifes is currently in production, thanks to generous support from Native American Public Telecommunications.

The project was inspired by Joe Starita’s Pulitzer-nominated book, The Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge.

The outreach and engagement strategy will combine interest in both the film and Guy’s art work for the broadest possible educational and social impact. The two will be shown together whenever possible, at museums, Native American cultural centers, schools, and universities across the country. It is a high priority to have both Guy’s paintings and the film receive maximum exposure within and around the communities in which they were created.

In addition, we will initiate an art project with Native American children’s groups that is inspired by Guy’s project. Initially on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, and then across the country, the project will ask children to research their own family or community histories, and then create an artistic interpretation of their legacy through a medium of their choosing. Their projects may take many different shapes – paintings, films, sculpture, photography, music, written or spoken word, carvings, to name only a few – and we hope to partner with organizations that can help provide supplies and training when necessary. The projects will be submitted to a dedicated website that will house the young artists’ work, commentary, and testimony.

The website will be an interactive hub which connects children and educators across the country. Participants will be able to modify, update, or add to their body of work over time, and the site will connect young artists to each other through simple social media technology. We hope to partner with PBS to create a teaching online teaching guide so that educators and individuals can easily access the project, watch the film, receive guidance and inspiration, connect to other participants, and watch short “making of” videos of Guy during the creative process. Throughout the outreach phase, the highest priority will be placed on screening the film and working within Native American communities, targeting Junior High and High school students and educators.

Director: Jeremy Williams

Producers: Francis Whitebird, Eli Cane, Hugo Berkeley

Executive Producer: Tom Roberts

Generous support has been provided by Native American Public Telecommunications.

Research funding provided by The South Dakota Humanities Council and the National Museum of the American Indian.

Find us on the Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media database.

Vietnam veteran Jack Menard, a member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, struggles to reconcile his pride in service with the knowledge that his regiment, the 7th Cavalry, were the perpetrators of the Wounded Knee Massacre. Winner of the 2009 Veteran’s Day Film Contest at the National Museum of the American Indian. Directed by Tom Roberts and Jeremy Williams, produced by Normal Life Pictures.