Boarding Schools is a song by Lyla June, about overcoming the oppression of boarding schools, and rising above with love and
empowerment. For over 150 years, hundreds of thousands of Native children were taken or coerced away from their families and Tribes and forced to attend government- and religious-run Indian boarding schools. Survivors of Indian boarding schools have described physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse and neglect. Many other children died, went missing, or were murdered while in the custody of these schools, unable to tell their stories. The video was shot at the IINÁH (pronounced ee-nah), which is a physical and virtual space that teaches Indigenous lifeways to native youth, native communities, and non-native communities who are willing to sincerely learn and apply the knowledge appropriately. IINÁH is located in Diné Bikeyah, Turtle Island, also known as Gallup, New Mexico, USA. Dr. Lyla June Johnston, who performs the song and co-directed the music video, (aka Lyla June) is an Indigenous musician, scholar, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages. The message of the music in this video aligns with healing inter generational and inter-cultural trauma, which is relevant in her other disciplines. |
Director Statement
Embarking on this journey, initially driven by the desire to shed light on a widely misunderstood culture, has led to a profound transformation that forever changed my life.
When I took on this project of exploring an indigenous people, I was acutely aware of the potential harm that can arise from misrepresenting sensitive topics, particularly when it comes to journalism. Hence, my foremost objective in creating this film was to pay homage to the Maya people and craft a work that would make them proud. Today, I am grateful to declare that we have achieved that goal. Every step of the way, over a five year period, the Maya community stood with us, endorsing the film and its portrayal of their culture and beliefs.
While conflict traditionally stands as a cornerstone in storytelling, the Maya community of Coba re-defined this norm. Despite their experiences of exploitation and marginalization, their profound philosophies steer them away from fixating on adversity or trials. Expressing negativity, including discussing these topics publicly, runs contrary to their essence. This prompted me to embrace an alternative narrative strategy, one that prioritized gratitude over conflict. This shift ultimately triggered a personal transformation, a particularly noteworthy transition given my background in a culture that champions independence and individualism rather than the values of family and community.
My hope is that this film will not only change the way people perceive the Maya, but also their own personal perceptions of what it means to live a fulfilling life and what kind of legacy they are leaving behind.
When I took on this project of exploring an indigenous people, I was acutely aware of the potential harm that can arise from misrepresenting sensitive topics, particularly when it comes to journalism. Hence, my foremost objective in creating this film was to pay homage to the Maya people and craft a work that would make them proud. Today, I am grateful to declare that we have achieved that goal. Every step of the way, over a five year period, the Maya community stood with us, endorsing the film and its portrayal of their culture and beliefs.
While conflict traditionally stands as a cornerstone in storytelling, the Maya community of Coba re-defined this norm. Despite their experiences of exploitation and marginalization, their profound philosophies steer them away from fixating on adversity or trials. Expressing negativity, including discussing these topics publicly, runs contrary to their essence. This prompted me to embrace an alternative narrative strategy, one that prioritized gratitude over conflict. This shift ultimately triggered a personal transformation, a particularly noteworthy transition given my background in a culture that champions independence and individualism rather than the values of family and community.
My hope is that this film will not only change the way people perceive the Maya, but also their own personal perceptions of what it means to live a fulfilling life and what kind of legacy they are leaving behind.