COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US
Indigenous Perspectives on the Columbus Legacy
Nationally Broadcast on Free Speech TV
Award of Merit, Latin American Studies Association
Chicago Latino Film Festival
San Antonio Cine Festival
Illuminations Film Festival (Montreal)
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Directed by Robbie Leppzer
Edited by Felix Atencio-Gonzales (Quechua - Peru) and Robbie Leppzer
Field Produced by Wil Echevarria, Pedro Rivera, and Erik van Lennep
31 minutes • 1992/2020 Updated Digitally Remastered HD Version • Closed Captions
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ABOUT
At a time of heightened public consciousness about Christopher Columbus’s legacy of genocide and enslavement of native peoples, Turning Tide Films releases an updated and digitally re-mastered HD version of COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US on the 30th anniversary of the landmark First Continental Conference of Indigenous Peoples depicted in the film.
COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US chronicles the historic gathering of three hundred indigenous activists from North, South and Central America who met in Quito, Ecuador in July 1990 to organize a cross-continental indigenous resistance to the Columbus Quincentennial.
U.S.-based documentary filmmaker Robbie Leppzer and his multicultural production crew were the only North American video producers invited by the organizers to document this historic event.
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COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US is a moving testimony about the impact of the Columbus legacy on the lives of indigenous peoples from across the hemisphere. Native people speak about the devastation of their cultures resulting from the European invasion, contemporary struggles over land and human rights, the importance of reviving spiritual traditions, and the need to alert the world to the environmental crises threatening the survival of the planet.
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The film has been updated with a 6-minute opening montage of TV news reports depicting protests of taking down statues of Christopher Columbus in 11 U.S. cities in June 2020.
ADDITIONAL FILM INCLUDED
Also included is a short film by director Robbie Leppzer, FROM PLYMOUTH ROCK TO STANDING ROCK (20 minutes, 2017), a chronicle of Thanksgiving Day 2016, when over 1,000 people came to participate in the largest ever indigenous-led protest in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which was held in solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Every Thanksgiving Day since 1970, indigenous people and allies gather in Plymouth, Massachusetts, at the location where the Pilgrims landed in 1620, for a “National Day of Mourning.”
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 51 minutes
HOST A VIRTUAL CINEMA SCREENING
Local, regional and national organizations can create a fundraiser and educational outreach opportunity for your group by partnering with us to host a virtual cinema screening of COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US and FROM PLYMOUTH ROCK TO STANDING ROCK.
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REVIEWS
“When released 30 years ago, the film COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US provided the opportunity to hear the Indigenous perspective of the impact of the actual historical event and the Quincentenary celebration of Columbus’ voyage had within the Americas. It was one of the first times, the Indigenous voices of North, Central, South America and the Caribbean were heard speaking on the historical and contemporary influences of 1492.
"The re-release of COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US is extremely relevant to the current social justice reforms happening throughout the United States. Viewing of this film can “kick-start” much needed conversations pertaining to the revising of our educational process and discussions around the shared Indigenous and colonizer/settler histories.”
—Dr. Deirdre Almeida (Lenape/Shawnee), Director/Professor,
American Indian Studies Program, Eastern Washington University
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"The naked truth of the Columbus legacy is revealed. A must for the classroom."
—Stephanie Betancourt (Seneca), Native American Education Program,
New York City Public Schools
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“As we watch the toppling of Columbus statues and iconography throughout the United States, it's easy to forget the long history of Indigenous resistance that led up to this moment. COLUMBUS DIDN'T DISCOVER US reminds us that Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas have been resisting colonialism since 1492. The film lets Indigenous peoples themselves describe their lives, their struggles, and their hopes.”
— Bill Bigelow, Curriculum Editor, RETHINKING SCHOOLS;
Co-Editor RETHINKING COLUMBUS; Co-Director, Zinn Education Project
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"A visually and spiritually moving presentation. Through song, dance, and testimony, representatives from many Indian nations share their views on the events set into motion by Columbus. COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US is a celebration of our survival and exploration of paths we must travel to ensure the survival of the Earth and its indigenous peoples for the next 500 years. An excellent educational film for educators, activists, artists, churches, and people of all ages."
—Jan Elliott (Cherokee), editor of INDIGENOUS THOUGHT
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"This video allows the viewer to hear Indians speaking for themselves with passion and conviction. COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US is an important and valuable testimonial from voices too long suppressed."
—Lisa Mitten (Mohawk), secretary, American Indian Library Association
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“I watched this important video with my two elementary school-aged children. It led to a lively, honest discussion about Native Americans, colonialism, ecology and the future of our planet. The wisdom, pride and strength of the Native American speakers left a positive impression on both myself and my children. I recommend this video highly.”
—Phillip Tajitsu Nash, National Coalition of Education Activists
“COLUMBUS DIDN’T DISCOVER US will certainly be useful to a broad range of educators. The differences and similarities between the diverse peoples represented in the video will help teachers confront popular myths and stereotypes of Native Americans. The voices presented in the video make it clear that Native American struggles are as alive today as they were in 1492.”
—Brian Goldfarb, Rochester, NY, Teacher/Activist
“I hope teachers will use this in the context of studying about Native American cultures, from pre-Columbian times to the present.”
—Dr. Leslie Perfect Ricklin, Associate Professor of Education,
Eastern Connecticut State University
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RECOMMENDED SUBJECT AREAS
Indigenous Peoples and Cultures of North, South and Central America • Latin American Studies • Multicultural Education • Anthropology • Sociology • Environmental Studies • Contemporary Social Movements • Human Rights • Globalization • Economics • Economic Policy • Sociology of Developing Countries • Social Change • Documentary Film Studies
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