What Was Ours

What Was Ours, released in 2016 is a poignant, respectfully told documentary film that grapples with the concerns of lost cultural heritage, issues of identity, and the reclaiming of forbidden narratives. The film, directed by Mat Hames, provides an intimate portrait of a windswept, yet culturally and historically vibrant corner of America—the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, inhabited by Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.

The film's central narrative revolves around three Native Americans—an elder, a young artist, and a historian - each resolute to reclaim a part of their rich tribal history and assert their identities in the face of discriminatory legal and societal systems. It's an incredibly powerful display revolving around the discussion about the act of reclaiming artifacts as a means of reclaiming history and identity—one that also shines a light on broader discourses about racial communities, historical preservation, and collective memory.

At the heart of the narrative is an exploration of the absorbing tribal histories, their spiritual traditions and distinct customs. Through this colorful tableau, the documentary traverses the significance of their sacred objects—objects that were taken without permission, and now serve as silent reminders of the cultural theft in American history.

The elder portrayed in the film is a keeper of the sacred Pipe, bearing the tribal knowledge handed down the generations. The young Northern Arapaho artist is a transformative figure, using art as a medium to bridge the traditional and the contemporary, the spiritual and the physical. She battles contradictions while forging her own identity in a modern world that's distant from her tribal roots. The Arapaho historian and Marine veteran brings passion and a critical perspective to the narrative. His quest to retrieve the artifacts of his people from museums across the country seems to symbolize his personal journey towards rediscovering his tribe's past and rebuilding its future.

Cinematographer Axel Baumann fills the screen with expansive shots of stark landscapes, contrasting the wide-open plains and snow-covered mountains with the confined museum displays of tribal artifacts. The cinematographic techniques add a sense of silent melancholy and create an impact that lingers long after the credits roll.

In terms of pacing, What Was Ours is measured and deliberate. It balances the personal stories of its primary subjects with the well-researched elucidation of the broader context of Native American history—painful chapters of forbidden languages, lost children, eroded cultures, and broken treaties. The film intelligently refrains from overt criticism, yet still manages to highlight the effects of cultural appropriation and the negative impact of 'white savior' narratives.

The soundtrack deserves a special mention, blending traditional sounds with contemporary tones to match the film's theme of the old merging with the new. The haunting beauty of the reservation's landscape is brilliantly echoed in the echoes of drumbeats and vocal harmonies, creating an atmosphere that is hopeful, sad, and passionate all at once.

One of the crucial aspects that sets What Was Ours apart is its dedication to portraying Native American voices authentically. The film is respectful of the indigenous culture and its subjects, focusing on telling their story in their own words rather than imposing an outsider's viewpoint. It strikes a unique balance in its approach, being informative to viewers unfamiliar with Native American cultural history but also insightful and respectful enough to be accepted by the Native community itself.

Towards the end, it's evident that What Was Ours is not simply a lament for a bygone era or a lost culture—it is a call for healing, a hope for understanding, a subtle revelation that history is not a relic but a living testament of who we are as a people. It's a story about the power of the past and the potential of the future.

If you're intrigued by indigenous cultures, American history, or just a riveting real-life drama, What Was Ours is a film that you won't forget in a hurry. More than just a hunting expedition for relics, it's an exploration of identity, heritage, and the unique stories that make us who we are. In an age of global cultures and widespread homogenization, the film is a potent reminder that what is ours still exists, still matters, and can still be reclaimed.