This film from producer/director Rodney Jacobs and Freewheelin’ Films (https://freewheelinfilms.net/) “Sacred Ground: Indian Origin, Legend and Spirit” presents a history of the land now called the United States, showing how it is deeply intertwined with Native American culture and their sacred relationship to the land. It is hosted by actor Cliff Robertson. Early European settlers, beginning with Columbus and Jamestown, often misunderstood or exploited Native generosity, leading to conflicts and broken promises, such as those made by Thomas Jefferson. Over centuries, Native cultures were nearly eradicated and confined to reservations, yet they retained a profound spiritual connection to the earth. Tribes like the Pueblo, Kya, Yuma, Puma, and Maricopa have rich traditions that tie their identity to the land through sacred ceremonies, migrations, and symbolic rock writings that preserve their history and prophecy. Despite the loss and disruption caused by colonization, Native Americans’ spiritual connection to nature and their cultural heritage continues to endure, with sacred sites such as volcanic peaks holding great spiritual significance.

0:00 Main titles — Introduction to the history of the land known as the United States, focusing on the conflict between Native American culture and European settlers.

1:25 — Christopher Columbus’s 1493 letter describes Native Americans as honest, generous, and loving.

1:47 — Establishment of Jamestown colony in 1607; early reliance on Native Americans for survival.

2:04 — Chief Powhatan questions English settlers about taking land by force despite Native generosity.

2:26 — Continued European migration increases cultural conflicts.

2:34 — Thomas Jefferson’s 1786 statement promising Indian land won’t be taken without consent, contrasted with reality.

3:04 — Andrew Johnson’s 1867 message calling for extermination of “savages” if they resist civilization.

3:39 — Near elimination of Native culture and confinement to reservations within 300 years.

4:02 — Despite removal, Native Americans maintain a sacred, instinctual relationship to the land.

4:42 — Quotation from Chief Seattle emphasizing the sacredness of every part of the soil.

5:06 — Native connection to land is deep and symbolic, providing meaning and identity.

6:18 — The Pueblo people’s spiritual journey and migration across the land, beginning in the earth.

7:10 — Early Pueblo pit houses and their connection to the rising sun, symbolizing rebirth.

8:04 — Evolution of Pueblo dwellings and ceremonial chambers called “ka.”

9:03 — The “ka” becomes a spiritual center for the Pueblo people across communities.

10:01 — The Kya tribe’s migration eastward to Wyoming plains, encountering a mysterious stone tower.

11:03 — The legend explaining the stone tower as a spiritual symbol, connecting the tribe to the night sky (Big Dipper).

13:50 — The Kya tribe’s acceptance of the tower allows them to master the plains.

14:02 — The Yuma, Puma, and Maricopa tribes believe dreams reveal essential life knowledge.

15:07 — Puberty ritual for young girls involving spiritual dream journeys to sacred caves and mountains.

16:22 — Legend that all tribes were once united and instructed by the Creator to record history on rocks.

17:14 — Rock writings serve as sacred records of history, culture, and prophecy, especially at sites like Nuva Hoot.

18:12 — Rock writings use symbols similar to sign language to communicate messages and warnings.

19:23 — Rock writings depict events such as droughts and significant historical moments, including first contact with Europeans in 1776.

20:49 — The prophecy that Native history recorded in rocks will endure despite conquest.

21:27 — Many sacred Native sites are located on high places for spiritual connection.

22:12 — Volcanic peaks in the Pacific Northwest are sacred as spirit mountains, symbolizing spiritual power and presence.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com