Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Movie Viewing Guide and Permission Form

This movie can be used as a review for your Westward Expansion unit and the viewing guide is designed to help insure that students are paying attention and thinking about the information presented in the film.

The viewing guide is split into four sections to go along with the movie. Each of the four sections contains questions that are designed to make students think about the people and ideas at play in the film as well as to ensure that students are paying attention to the plot.

I show this movie after showing select episodes of “Ken Burns: The West” with History Through Film and US History Classes.

Included Documents
★ A Parent Permission form to send home with students before viewing the film.
★ The Viewing Guide is split into four sections with short answer, true/false, and multiple choice questions from the movie.

Movie Synopsis:
In the 1880s, after the U. S. Army’s defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the government continues to push Sioux Indians off their land. In Washington, D.C., Senator Henry Dawes (Aidan Quinn) introduces legislation to protect Native Americans rights. In South Dakota, schoolteacher Elaine Goodale (Anna Paquin) joins Sioux native and Western-educated Dr. Charles Eastman in working with tribe members. Meanwhile, Lakota Chief Sitting Bull refuses to give into mounting government pressures.

Note: Please be aware of that there are instances of language and violent battle sequences in this film. Please screen the movie before showing it to your students.

Required Materials:
★ Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) DVD or Streaming Capabilities