An Analysis of Journey to the Sky:
The Evolving Representations of the Alabama-Coushatta
by Bibiana Cantua
Journey to the Sky: A History of the Alabama and Coushatta Indians is a documentary film produced by KUHT-TV Television Station from Houston Texas in 1981, written and directed by Paul Yeager. It was aired on Houston's public station, Channel 8, during the early 1980s. The film chronicles the history of the Alabama Coushatta, beginning with their origin story ending with the uncertainty faced in light of the termination policy enacted on the Alabama Coushatta by the United States federal government in 1953. Ultimately, Journey to Sky, as a white establishment production exhibits certain stereotypical aspects of the often-reproduced Native American narrative-- as it narrates the disruption of their culture, migration from their native land, Alabama, the continued marginalization by whites, and the uncertainty of the tribe's future. However, the film provides a significant amount of the Indian voice allowing Chief Fulton to speak in their native language, using traditional Alabama and Coushatta visual material, and employing actual Alabama-Coushatta's in the film. [1]
What is the purpose of the film?
Arguably, the film presents the history of the Alabama-Coushattas for the white public, emphasizing how their culture changed with contact with European settlers. First, with Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto in 1541 then with the French in early 1700s.[2] Ultimately, because of European expansion and trade the Alabama-Coushattas, then two independent tribes, moved west settling in Louisiana. The film's narrators, Marcellus Braveheart Williams and Robert Symonds, highlight the fracturing of their circle--their cosmological metaphor for balance in the universe. For example, the film's script focuses highly on the diminishing Alabama-Coushatta agency since contact with whites, from migration to Lousiana and Texas, decreasing levels of tourism, to the termination policy that took away their tribal status. Journey to the Sky fills the audience with emotion, largely sympathy for the Alabama-Coushatta for the adversity the tribe has and continues to face. Since the film aired on KUHT-TV's Channel 8 before the Alabama-Coushatta regained federal tribal recognition it is plausible the film was used as a method to not only educate the white public on the history of the tribe, but also evoke empathy for the Alabama-Coushatta cause for restoration.
Granting the Indian Voice: Problems with "Giving" Agency
Considering the representations of Native Americans from the white public during the 20th century, the film creates an important dichotomy from the lack of indigenous agency to taking into account the native voice. The film grants the Indian voice in three key ways. First, it allows Chief Fulton (pictured left) the freedom to speak in the Alabama-Coushatta's native language, providing the audience English subtitles. Second, the film's preliminary script was created by collaborating with some tribal members, Emmet Battise and Roland Poncho. Lastly, only Alabama-Coushatta Indians were filmed. [3] Such concessions are fundamental to authentic representation of the Alabama-Coushattas. Understood independently, these examples of native agency are important and pioneering in the American media mainstream representation of Native Americans.
However, it is important to note that the film was not conceived of by the Alabama-Coushatta, nor was it intended for a native purpose only. Therefore, at least in theory, the white public's expectation's of the native people and their story, as they were part of the intended audience, would have been considered during the making of the film. Interestingly, in a letter to the Alabama-Coushatta regarding their participation in the film Paul Yeager states, "If you are asked to do a filmed interview, or if you volunteer for one, please say what you think, what you feel. Don't adjust your statements to fit a "white audience," or say what you think the interviewer wants to hear. This film is for Indians to see as much as for whites, and if you are not speaking from the heart, your words may be lost." [3] Yet, the film only features three interviewees, Chief Fulton, Emmet Battise, and Lester Battise. Paradoxically however, such interviewees are not labeled during the film and it is difficult for the white audience to know when and who is speaking. It is only in the film credits that such acknowledgements are granted.
While the film gives the Alabama-Coushatta more agency in how their story is represented, it is important to recognize what was ultimately included in the film did not depend on the tribal members but on Paul Yeager and KUHT-TV. For example, consider the Green Corn Dance portrayed towards the latter half of the film (pictured below) appears as a contradicting idea to the contemporary Alabama-Coushatta reality, as Yeager asserts, "it would be the first busk danced in several generations." [3] Why portray the Green Corn Dance, if the Alabama-Coushatta had not participated in the celebration themselves? Was it to illustrate a typical Native American celebration? Or was for the younger generation participation in a traditional Alabama-Coushatta celebration? Additionally, although Yeager grants the Alabama-Coushatta agency in their responses to the film, and considering he collaborated with tribal members such as Emmett Battise, Rolando Poncho, and Thomas Sylestine the extend of their collaboration is unknown.Moreover, there is a bigger issue in "granting" the Alabama-Coushatta's agency, would it not be more authentic if the Alabama-Coushattas had the agency themselves?
Endnotes:
[1] Paul Yeager, Journey to the Sky: A History of the Alabama and Coushatta Indians. 16mm film. KUHT-TV Houston 1981, from Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin, Quick Time.
[2] "The Alabama-Coushattas." First Texans: Sixteen Tribes Of Native People & How They Lived 103, Texas Reference Center, EBSCOhost.
[3] Paul Yeager to Alabama-Coushatta, October 10, 1980. Letter, from James Ludwell Davis Sylestine Papers, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
[4] Jonathan B. Hook, The Alabama-Coushatta Indians (College Station: Texas A&M Press, 1997) eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost .
[2] "The Alabama-Coushattas." First Texans: Sixteen Tribes Of Native People & How They Lived 103, Texas Reference Center, EBSCOhost.
[3] Paul Yeager to Alabama-Coushatta, October 10, 1980. Letter, from James Ludwell Davis Sylestine Papers, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
[4] Jonathan B. Hook, The Alabama-Coushatta Indians (College Station: Texas A&M Press, 1997) eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost .