Ishi: The Last Yahi (1992)

Synopsis:
"Ishi certainly is a remarkable individual. His will to live, not simply exist, but attempt to live happily is an inspiration to the human community. We would do well to examine a culture that produced such a person." — Brian Bibby

"Ishi: The Last Yahi" chronicles the unforgettable story of Ishi, the last survivor of the Yahi tribe following extensive massacres of Native Americans in California in the 1860's and 1870's. Ishi and a handful of his tribe refused to surrender, choosing instead to live in hiding. After 40 years and the death of all the others, one day in 1911 Ishi, alone and near starvation, walked out of the wilderness and in the white man's world.

Newspapers labelled him "the last wild Indian" or "the last Stone Age man in North America." To the public he was an exotic curiosity, but for young anthropologist Alfred Kroeber, Ishi's appearance was a scientific windfall. Kroeber had been searching for years to find "wild uncontaminated Indians" who could document aboriginal life in America. Through Kroeber's invitation, Ishi left a jail cell and lived out the remaining four years of his life at the Museum of Anthropology in San Francisco, relating Yahi stories and demonstrating the traditional way of life he knew so well. His quiet dignity and extraordinary lack of bitterness towards the people who had destroyed his tribe greatly impressed everyone who met him.

"Ishi: The Last Yahi" skillfully blends haunting photographs, archival film footage, recordings Kroeber made of Ishi's voice, and illuminating commentary by authorities on Native American cultures. More than an indictment of the "manifest destiny" white settlers used as an excuse to annihilate Native Americans, the message of this deeply moving film is one of resilience of the human spirit. Ishi survived the murder of his people, the loss of his way of life, the 40-year isolation, and yet somehow came out whole, psychologically and physically, as he entered the society of those who had destroyed his people.

Narrated by LINDA HUNT
Written by ANNE MAKEPEACE
Editor JENNIFER CHINLUND
Original Music MARK ADLER
Additional Music TODD BOEKELHIEDE
Director of Photography STEPHEN LIGHTHILL

Director: Jed Riffe and Pamela Roberts
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