Neshnabek: The People, Part I (1930's Documentary on Potawatomi)

The 1930's footage is being presented to remember our old ones and never forget the hardships they endured in continuing being who they were born into the world as... True Neshnabek. Without money and living in appalling poverty, the Potawatomis of Kansas would remain true to who they were and would be one of the richest Potawatomi bands through language, prayer, song, dance, customs, and traditions, being one with earth and respecting the spirit world of the living, the dead, and those yet to be born.

This footage contains one of the last traditional Potawatomi bands, the Prairie Band of Mayetta, Kansas, that was taken during the 1930's. Although there were many obstacles, mainly the American government and forced relocation, the Prairie band would persevere and continue to follow the old ways of their Neshnabek ancestors. This footage shows some of the last true traditionals that would later struggle to continue the ways of their people due to American influence, government, corporations, industrial pollution, politics, and racism.

VIDEO 1
0:17 Chief Wabaunsee, Potawatomi war chief
0:45 Chief Kack Kack, Potawatomi brave
0:47 Nah-Nim-Nuk-Skuk, elder in blanket
0:49 Kitch-Kumee, father of Nettie Wapp
1:07 Potawatomi dance hall, Prairie Band reservation
1:11 Louis Vieux, in suit with hands in pockets
1:12 Three Potawatomi women, Mrs. Frank Mazhas and her two daughters, Louise and Lizzie, 1935
2:01 Jim Thorpe, Potawatomi/ Sauk n Fox
3:13 Naming ceremony/ clans' feast
3:35 Four Potawatomis eating/ smoking during ceremony. Left is James Wahb-No-Sah, father of Gary Wiskigeamatyuk Sr. and son of Mrs. Rosann Potts (Ka-O-Ko-Mo-Quah), Potawatomi elder.
4:00 Four Potawatomis eating during ceremony. Top Left is James Wahb-No-Sah, son of Mrs. Rosann Potts (Ka-O-Ko-Mo-Quah) and Wis-Ki-Ge-Amatyuk (Captain John Buckshot)
6:15 Clayton Bear's archery games
6:50 Clayton Bear, missing his right hand, pulls bowstring back with his mouth.