Utah Valley University's Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement hosted a screening of the documentary "Bring Them Home" on March 6. The event aimed to foster community engagement and cultural awareness by showcasing the Blackfeet Nation's efforts to reintroduce wild American bison to their ancestral lands.
Utah Valley University's Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement hosted a screening of the documentary "Bring Them Home" on March 6. The event aimed to foster community engagement and cultural awareness by showcasing the Blackfeet Nation's efforts to reintroduce wild American bison to their ancestral lands.
"Bring Them Home" chronicles the Blackfeet Nation's decades-long initiative to restore wild bison, known as "iinnii" in Blackfeet, to their traditional territories. The film explores the profound connection between the bison and Blackfeet identity, spirituality, and sovereignty.
"UVU and UVU Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement affirm their commitment to community building and cultural recognition," said Justin Allison, director of the Center for Native Excellence at UVU. "This film is a chance to learn about the initiative of the Blackfeet Tribe in involving their community to bring the American back to traditional homelands. Community building and academic success are at the forefront of Native Excellence at UVU, and this film ties both of these tenets together."
Directed by Daniel Glick and siblings Ivan and Ivy MacDonald, members of the Blackfeet Nation, the documentary offers an intimate portrayal of this cultural revival. Blackfeet tribal members were involved in telling the story at every level of the process, and the film was made in close consultation with a Blackfeet Tribal Member Advisory Board.
The documentary features narration by Academy Award-nominee Lily Gladstone, a Blackfeet/Nez Perce actor, and has been recognized at film festivals for its compelling storytelling and cultural significance.
About Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement
UVU Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement serves all students, staff, faculty, and community members from Native American, Indigenous, and First-Nation backgrounds. By providing responsive services and celebrating Native cultures through our events and programming, we create a space for students, community, and success.
