Navajo Film Themselves facts for kids

Navajos Film Themselves is a special collection of seven short films. These films show what everyday life was like for people in the Navajo Nation. They were made by Navajo filmmakers themselves! In 2002, this important series was added to the United States National Film Registry. This means the films are considered very important to American history and culture.

Alta Kahn editing as her daughter Susie Benally looks on.

What are these films about?

These films are documentaries. A documentary is a non-fiction film that shows real events or people. The "Navajos Film Themselves" series lets us see the world through the eyes of Navajo people. They show different parts of their culture and daily activities.

The Films in the Series

There are seven films in this special collection:

• Intrepid Shadows was directed by Al Clah.
• The Navajo Silversmith was directed by John Nelson. This film likely shows how Navajo silversmiths create beautiful jewelry.
• A Navajo Weaver was directed by Susie Benally. This film probably shows the traditional art of Navajo weaving.
• Old Antelope Lake was directed by Mike Anderson.
• Second Weaver was directed by either Susie Benally or Alta Kahn. This might be another look at weaving or a different weaver.
• The Shallow Well Project was directed by John Nelson. This film could be about a community project to get water.
• The Spirit of the Navajos was directed by Maxine and Mary J. Tsosie.

Why is it also called Through Navajo Eyes?

Sometimes, this film series is also known as Through Navajo Eyes. This name comes from a book that was written about the project. The book, called Through Navajo Eyes: An exploration in film communication and anthropology, was written by John Adair and Sol Worth. It helped explain how these films were made and what they taught us about communication and culture.

Where are the original films kept?

The original film materials for "Navajos Film Themselves" are stored in a very important place. They are kept at the Library of Congress in Culpeper, Virginia. The Library of Congress is one of the biggest libraries in the world. It works to preserve important books, films, and other materials for future generations.