FADE IN:
EXT. DAKOTA TERRITORY, 1883 – DAY
Moving through trees in a milky fog.
SOUND: Bird calls: faint, then louder.
A Native American MAN and BOY emerge from the fog, riding their ponies slowly. They look down into a valley.
LEAN DEER (9), speaks to his father, RISING BULL (48), in the language of the Lakota Sioux.
Subtitles translate:
LEAN DEER
“What is it?”
LS TRAIN
Below, a train with several wagons near it. Nearby, a small train station town.
LEAN DEER & RISING BULL
RISING BULL
“Boxes. Standing on long roots of iron. We will go there.”
THE TRAIN
An INTERPRETER directs NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN, ages 6-12, as saddened PARENTS say goodbye.
INTERP.
“Hurry up, there! Get on board!”
Lean Deer and Rising Bull arrive.
LEAN DEER
“I must live in one of those boxes now?”
RISING BULL
“Yes.”
LEAN DEER
“Will the White Eyes kill me?”
RISING BULL
“They will try. You must wear this.”
He hands Lean Deer an amulet on a leather thong. Lean Deer puts it around his neck.
CU amulet – a medicine wheel.
LEAN DEER
“I will, father.”
RISING BULL
“Hold this medicine close. Watch. And listen to the earth.”
LEAN DEER
“I will. Tell my brothers and sisters I will not forget them.”
They embrace and Lean Deer walks toward the train.
A VOICE, off.
VOICE (OS)
Henry? Henry Lean Deer?
INT. CUMBERLAND INDIAN SCHOOL CLASSROOM – DAY
SUPER: EIGHT YEARS LATER
Henry Lean Deer snaps out of a daydream. He has matured into a handsome, well-spoken 17-year-old, and a leader at the Cumberland Indian Boarding School in Maryland.
A TEACHER lectures the class on government.
TEACHER
Henry, will you please stop dreaming and answer the question?
HENRY
Can you ask me again, sir?
TEACHER
I can. We know that the 14th amendment to the constitution clearly states that all persons born in the United States are citizens and equal under the laws. This means that it is illegal to segregate —
HENRY
Negroes in the regular Army.
TEACHER
Very good. And it should apply to —
HENRY
Indians on reservations.
A GIRL raises her hand.
GIRL
But we are not allowed to vote or to run for office!
A BOY chimes in.
BOY
‘Wards of the government’ still means ‘prisoners of war.’
TEACHER
Unfortunately. Your tribes are still considered ‘independent nations.’ And so, to you the 14th amendment does not apply. But look on the bright side – you don’t have to pay taxes!
SOUND: a bell rings. Students gather books, exit class.
EXT. CUMBERLAND CAMPUS – A FALL DAY
An ARMY SERGEANT yells from the Administration Building.
SGT.
Henry! Over here!
Henry approaches the Sgt.
SGT.
Captain Mitchell wants to see you. Right now.
HENRY
What’d I do?
SGT.
Ask him.
INT. MITCHELL OFFICE – DAY
U.S. Army Captain PORTER MITCHELL (50s) tall, determinedly optimistic — the founder of the school.
Henry enters, stands at attention.
MITCHELL
At ease, Henry. Have a seat.
(Henry sits)
Don’t worry! You’re not in any trouble. I want to ask for your help.
HENRY
Yes, sir.
MITCHELL
As you probably know, I just returned from Washington, where I made a request for another appropriation for our school.
HENRY
I hope you got it, sir!
MITCHELL
Hopes are high! But they have asked me a favor. There’s a group of ‘special students’ from the Apache tribe – children of all ages. They’re going to need a lot of help to catch up here, Henry. These young people…
His VOICE continues, over.
INT. TRAIN CAR – DAY
A band of scruffy and sullen Apaches, ages 12-19, male and female, guarded by Soldiers.
Their leader is JOE TWO DOGS (19): chiseled features, charismatic, a streetwise kid who has picked up city ways and enough English to survive.
He and his band are dressed ‘half-and-half’ – White and Indian. Next to Joe is LITTLE BAD EYE (18), stocky, one sunken eye. Their hair is long and flowing, held by a wide cloth headband.
MITCHELL (VO)
…some from reservations, or from town evidently, don’t speak our language, but they are eager to learn our ways and blend in.
EXT: CUMBERLAND TRAIN STATION – DAY
The train pulls into the train station in Cumberland, Maryland.
MITCHELL (cont’d VO)
They’ve had a very long train ride, and they are going to be tired and confused. These children have no sense of ‘the east.’ They know only their ancient, primitive ways.
INT. TRAIN – DAY
Two Dogs watches out the window as the train enters the station. The train passes the ‘Cumberland, MD’ sign.
INT. MITCHELL OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
MITCHELL
When we prove to those Washington people what we’re able to do here, I’m sure that they will all want to help us continue our work.
HENRY
What can I do, sir?
MITCHELL
I want you to help with them. Show them around, teach them what the Cumberland School is all about. Can you do that?
HENRY
I can try.
MITCHELL
I don’t want you to ‘try.’ I want you to do it. Understand?
HENRY
Yes, sir. I will do it.
Henry stands, salutes. Mitchell returns the salute.
EXT. PLAYING FIELD – DAY
Indian BOYS are practicing field hockey. They have set up wooden posts at either end of the field and are trying to knock a ball through them with sticks. Henry, the Captain, rallies his team. Lewis is there, with STACY GOODNIGHT (18), PETE WALKS-LIKE-A-MAN (17), AMOS BLACK EAGLE (17), and little GEORGE WHIRLWIND (13).
EXT. PLAYING FIELD
A wagon rolls past. In it are the Apaches. One is standing: Joe Two Dogs. He stares directly at Henry.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS
Mitchell faces the Apaches. Soldiers stand nearby.
MR. FOX (40s), interprets for Mitchell.
MITCHELL
“I welcome the children of the great Apache nation. I think that you will find our school a good place to learn and grow. You will be given your supplies, clothing, bedding, by Sergeant Wilson. The girls will go with Miss Dorrance for baths and new clothing.”
Two Dogs steps forward.
TWO DOGS
(in English)
You can talk to me, old man. I know your language. They call me Joe Two Dogs.
MITCHELL
Welcome, Joe.
Mitchell offers to shake hands. Two Dogs refuses.
MITCHELL
We have a lot to do before dinner, so please have your group follow Sergeant Wilson for your baths and haircuts.
TWO DOGS
Apaches keep hair. We do not take your ‘hair cut.’
MITCHELL
It’s a rule, Joe. All students —
TWO DOGS
(smiling)
Your rule. We will look around, see what we want here.
MITCHELL
Unfortunately, there can be no supper for you until you have your baths, haircuts, and uniforms.
TWO DOGS
Where is our house?
MITCHELL
(to Sgt.)
Sergeant, take them to their dormitories.
The Sgt. leads the Apaches off. Mitchell turns to a LIEUTENANT.
MITCHELL
I think hunger may play a part in this, don’t you, Lieutenant Binder?
BINDER
They’ll be in uniform by dark, sir, take my word.
INT. BOYS’ DORM – NIGHT
Two Dogs and other Apaches sit on floor, chanting.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS
Hearing the chants, Lieut. Binder looks up toward the dorm windows, amused.
SOUND: chant fades to bg.
INT. MITCHELL HOME
Mitchell turns from the open window. The CHANT, in bg.
His wife, ELIZABETH (40s), goes to him.
ELIZABETH
Those poor children.
MITCHELL
No food since last night. By breakfast, they’ll be ready.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS – MORNING
Students stroll toward the dining hall.
SOUND: chant continues.
INT. MITCHELL DINING ROOM – MORNING
The Mitchells are having breakfast with their children, boy
(7) and girl (12). An Indian GIRL (16) serves them.
MITCHELL
That infernal noise kept me up half the night.
ELIZABETH
Porter, please.
MITCHELL
I’ve got a Congressman coming here to inspect us — something about the appropriation.
DAUGHTER
Why won’t they eat, Momma?
ELIZABETH
They’re trying to prove…
MITCHELL
They’re stubborn, that’s all. I can’t have that noise while Congressman Otis is here. What can I do, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH
Give in, I guess.
MITCHELL
How dare you suggest that?
ELIZABETH
Now who is the stubborn one?
MITCHELL
I think their leader may need a little lesson — Army style.
.
INT. GUARDHOUSE – DAY
Two Dogs is pushed into a cell by a Guard.
TWO DOGS
I am Apache full-blood. One race. One man was my father — can you say that? My blood is PURE! I am stronger than all you.
Guard slams the cell door.
INT. DINING HALL – DAY
Henry, Lewis, Stacy and Amos file in and stand at their places for dinner.
The Apaches, minus Joe, find places, stare at empty plates.
COOKS roll out carts with pots of steaming food — meat, mashed potatoes, freshly baked bread.
The Apaches eye the food. Mr. Fox interprets for Mitchell.
MITCHELL
“Smells good, doesn’t it?”
Bad Eye stands to leave, but a Guard restrains him.
MITCHELL
“We want you to have a fine meal now — your first at Cumberland. But you must promise me that when you have finished, you will take your baths and haircuts and put on your uniforms.”
Bad Eye speaks in rapid Apache. The others ignore him.
MITCHELL
“You are proud people. When you give your word, you keep it. Now, do I have your word?”
The Apaches look at the food and at each other. They decide. One speaks for them.
MR. FOX
They will eat.
Mitchell smiles and beckons to the cooks. They serve food.
Soldiers show the Apaches how to use knives and forks. One BOY stabs at his food, can’t get it into his mouth.
He finally gives up and grabs it in his hands. The slippery meat squiggles to the floor. He dives to pick it up.
A Soldier grabs his arm, stops him. The Boy struggles to keep the food. The Soldier shows him how to get more from the serving platter.
INT. TUB ROOMS – DAY
Soldiers scrub the Apache boys.
In another room, Matrons scrub the girls.
In the bg., Soldiers cut the boys’ hair.
EXT. FRONT OF ADMINISTRATION BLDG. – DAY
The newly shorn and bathed Apaches, dressed in wool school uniforms, gather for a photo.
The PHOTOGRAPHER prepares to shoot.
The flash powder ignites.
FREEZE FRAME: Photo of the group.
INT. NEWSPAPER PRINT SHOP – DAY
Mitchell and Henry take CONGRESSMAN OTIS (60s), on a tour of the school. Mitchell holds up a page proof.
MITCHELL
Students write it, print it and distribute it. How’s it look?
OTIS
Amazing. Can I take that with me?
MITCHELL
All the copies you want. And we’ve got a few more things to show you.
EXT. FIELD OF CORN
Otis admires an ear of corn.
OTIS
My heavens! Perfect!
MITCHELL
We raise all of our own vegetables right here on campus. Girls make all of the clothing.
OTIS
How’s the English-speaking?
MITCHELL
We allow nothing else. Students have to communicate in English on campus. No native talk allowed, right, Henry?
HENRY
Hardly any, sir.
INT. BIOLOGY CLASS
MITCHELL
In the morning, they learn their trades – from blacksmithing to tailoring. Now in the afternoon, it’s history, math, science.
OTIS
Henry, what is your favorite subject?
HENRY
Government, sir.
OTIS
Guess I’ll be seeing you in Washington soon.
HENRY
I’d like to think so.
Otis reacts, then takes it as a joke.
INT. NURSING CLASS
Cumberland Women study anatomy. The Group observes.
Otis takes notes.
OTIS
Captain, I couldn’t be more impressed with what I’ve seen here.
MITCHELL
We need help, sir, a lot of it.
OTIS
What kind of help?
MITCHELL
Jobs. Our students are well-trained when they leave here, but that old ‘Indian prejudice’ works against them.
OTIS
I’ll see what I can do.
EXT. FRONT GATE OF SCHOOL – DAY
Mitchell and Henry wave as Otis departs in a carriage.
MITCHELL
We made it. Now for our other little problem. Our Apaches have surrendered to hunger. They’ve had their baths and haircuts. But their leader still refuses. Henry, I’m going to assign him to you. Talk to the boy.
HENRY
He speaks English?
MITCHELL
Pretty well. Tell him about our school. Get him on the team.
HENRY
I’ll talk to him.
INT. GUARDHOUSE – DAY
A Guard brings Two Dogs into a room where Henry waits.
GUARD
Joe Two Dogs, Henry Lean Deer. Henry, I’ll be right outside.
Guard exits. Two Dogs gazes at Henry.
TWO DOGS
What’s your tribe?
HENRY
Lakota Sioux.
TWO DOGS
So, Mr. Whiteass Sioux, you think you got ME in jail, huh?
(Henry shrugs)
You get me outta here and we go to town tonight.
HENRY
Can’t. Not allowed off campus.
TWO DOGS
You mean they got you locked up here and you can’t get out?
(Henry nods)
So who in jail?
HENRY
It’s like any school.
TWO DOGS
Hell it is. Any school you go home at night. Look at yourself! They take your hair, they put you in soldier suit. They not let you talk your language. Look at me! They ain’t cuttin’ MY hair. They ain’t puttin’ ME in no bathtub and no Goddam uniform! Where your balls, boy?
HENRY
They’re teaching us to get jobs in the…
TWO DOGS
Sure! Cleaning their privies and diggin’ their potatoes! What kinda life is that? You think you be learnin’ somethin’ here? You think the white bastards GIVIN’ you somethin’? Hell, they holdin’ you here so your tribes no make trouble back THERE!
HENRY
That’s not true.
TWO DOGS
That the problem with stupid Indians. They still believe this shit! The White Man come in and take all’a our land. Now he gonna give us back the worst part?
HENRY
They’re givin’ us a chance —
TWO DOGS
Bull! And whatta we do? We sit around waitin’ for them to go away. Ain’t nuthin’ gonna make them go away.
(beat)
They killed your people, brother! Slaughtered! Mowed down – all! Your tribe! And to say thanks you kiss their asses? Your soul died at Pine Ridge!
INT. MITCHELL KITCHEN – NIGHT
Mitchell and his wife are having tea.
MITCHELL
Henry tried. The boy wouldn’t listen.
ELIZABETH
Maybe we should just send him back.
MITCHELL
Oh, they’d love that, wouldn’t they?
ELIZABETH
Who?
MITCHELL
The Bureau! ‘Mitchell fails. Sends a boy home because he won’t conform.’ They’d cut us off, Elizabeth!
ELIZABETH
For one black sheep?
MITCHELL
You watch. It will spread like poison. Having him in there, defying me! They’ll all find out. It’s a disease! I won’t have it!
ELIZABETH
Porter, can’t you see what we are doing?
MITCHELL
What do you mean, ‘What WE are doing’?
ELIZABETH
Aren’t we starving Indians into submission, the same way our government did on the frontier?
Mitchell scoffs, but his eyes recognize the truth.
ELIZABETH
Something happened today. It was very disturbing.
MITCHELL
What?
ELIZABETH
It was that girl, Ellen Stands There. I was inspecting her room…
————-
FLASHBACK
————-
INT. DORM ROOM – DAY
ELLEN STANDS THERE (15), a large, strong girl, stares defiantly at Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH
Ellen, how could you? We’ve gone through this so many times.
ELLEN
It my room. I like this way.
Elizabeth moves about the room, showing Ellen what to do.
ELIZABETH
Dirty clothes go in the hamper, not on the floor! A good, clean dress, tossed into the corner? And food? In your room? You know the rules!
Elizabeth confronts Ellen. They stare for an angry moment.
Ellen slaps Elizabeth in the face. Elizabeth is shocked and hurt, but she does not back down.
ELIZABETH
Why, Ellen?
Ellen braces for a return slap, but it does not come. She stares defiantly for a long moment, then she throws her arms around Elizabeth’s neck and begins to weep.
ELIZABETH
Oh, Ellen — it’s all right. You’ll be all right…
————–
END FLASHBACK
————–
INT. MITCHELL KITCHEN
ELIZABETH
The poor thing just held me for the longest time.
MITCHELL
This will not be tolerated!
INT. BOYS’ DORM – NIGHT
SOUND: the chanting of Two Dogs, bg.
In a row of bunks, the boys are awake, listening.
INT. MITCHELL OFFICE – DAY
Mitchell speaks to Henry.
MITCHELL
The boy will kill himself! Then where will I be?
HENRY
He doesn’t seem to care.
MITCHELL
We’ll feed him by force!
HENRY
He’s very sick now, sir, weak —
MITCHELL
A stubborn, foolish, prideful young man. (yells) Sergeant!
HENRY
Wait. Sir, let me talk to him again. Please.
MITCHELL
He will not listen.
The SERGEANT enters. Mitchell waves him away.
INT. GUARDHOUSE – DAY
Two Dogs lies in his bunk, staring. He seems very weak.
Henry touches his arm.
HENRY
Very soon — can you hear me? Every fall when school starts, we always have a dance. And a big meeting in the chapel, where the Captain greets us and tells us of the fine things we will be doing this year. It is not so bad here. Joe?
TWO DOGS
Your ‘Captain’ a thief.
HENRY
What’s he stolen?
TWO DOGS
My home. My Gods. My weapons! And he try to give me white skin for return?
HENRY
He wants to give you the power to read and write…
TWO DOGS
White language! White words! They call me savage because I not write their words on paper? But what they be worth? Nothing! They all lies! If I give my word, it is truth. It never be broke.
HENRY
Our only chance is to blend in with them. I believe it.
TWO DOGS
They run plows through your grandfather’s grave! We dance for many days with faces to sacred sun. The buffalo, gone. Gone! Springs and lakes — dry! The forests be torn from the mountainsides — even animals now afraid of us!
Henry is deeply disturbed by this.
HENRY
Maybe we have a better world to live in — a future…
Two Dogs leaps up and pins Henry’s arm behind his back.
TWO DOGS
Don’t yell, coward! Quiet! I will tell you something. You will be my brother. My true brother here. Bring me a knife. A KNIFE! You will cut my hair. YOU will do it. If you can, then I will eat. I will wear the uniform. I will become one like them. But YOU must do it!
HENRY
Yes. I will do it.
Two Dogs releases him.
INT. GUARDHOUSE – NIGHT
Henry walks down a corridor with a Guard. A knife flashes in a scabbard on his belt.
MONTAGE:
- Mitchell stares from his window, Elizabeth in bg.
- Girls and Boys watch from the windows of their dorms.
- The knife, as Henry stops at the cell door.
- A key turns in the lock.
- Two Dogs greets Henry. Henry draws the knife. The Guard steps forward.
- Two Dogs falls to his knees. He looks at Henry one more time, then bows his head.
- Henry approaches, grasps the hair.
- The flashing blade slices through the hair.
- Henry holds the hair in his hand.
- Two Dogs looks up at Henry with a deep sorrow.
- Mitchell closes the window.