Leon’s talk is called, “Persistence and Change: Historical Memory of Euro-American Migration and Settlement”
We will begin by considering the cultural legacy of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, which toured Europe in 1889 and 1905, and its influence on the Western, a film genre that began in the early 20th century. As described by one of the characters in James Welch’s novel, The Heartsong of Charging Elk, the performance of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show was seen as a representation of recent history: “Buffalo Bill says they are disappearing — like the bison. He says their culture is dying and soon they will be gone too.”
Following in the footsteps of the Wild West narrative, the film industry has depicted a version of North American history that often portrays a story of heroic conquest and Euro-American settlement coinciding with the disappearance of Native peoples in the name of civilization. We will explore some of the ways in which this historical narrative has been shifting through the discussion of two contemporary films: Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) and Indian Horse (2018).
About Leon
Leon Aliski, Ph.D. holds a doctorate in cultural mythology and depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. His dissertation entitled, “Wild Bison and the Buffalo People: Reimagining ‘The Heart of Everything That Is’,” examines a selection of historical narratives inspired by Euro-Americans and the Western Christian heritage in which these narrative themes are rooted. He is a supporter of Cloud Horse Art Institute, dedicated to Lakota traditional arts, performing arts, culture camps, and the Reel Jobs Film School located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.