This one-hour movie was shown at local Navajo schools and other public buildings in the Navajo Nation.

Leo Natani who plays the grandfather, said his fervent hope is to plant in Navajo youth the seeds to learn their language. "Ninty percent of our kids or even more, don't know their own language. They can't make sense of their traditional values if they don't first know their language."

The spoken Dine language brings the audience into the film through the text and emotion. The film is dubbed with English subtitles.

During one scene in the film, Jack White, played by actor Curtis Ray Benally, hears his wife recommend the wisdom of medicine men, while the grandfather suggests Protection-Way prayer. In another scene, the grandfather helps the ill father to ingest corn pollen, an integral component of traditional ceremonies.

The original flute and guitar music is played by Aaron White, described by one of the co-producers who said it "really helps set the mood and emotions of the scenes."

 Return to Leo and Sarah Natani

November 2002