To this date there has never been a feature film regarding the Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians.
This has not been for a lack of trying, though. Valiant efforts have been made over the years to write
scripts or put together a production but for one reason or another, these projects either were not
completed or publically released.
Other than a recent mention in a film regarding Native boarding schools, Hiawatha's reality remains
elusive to the American public.
This has not been for a lack of trying, though. Valiant efforts have been made over the years to write
scripts or put together a production but for one reason or another, these projects either were not
completed or publically released.
Other than a recent mention in a film regarding Native boarding schools, Hiawatha's reality remains
elusive to the American public.
Over a decade ago our screenwriter stumbled across a book regarding the asylum and
was shocked and disturbed by its contents. Interested in the asylum and its history,
she began to research on her own with the intent of writing her own book, realizing
that the truth had never fully been revealed to the public.
During this process she realized that a movie would be a great medium by which to
release this information. This led her on an amazing trip through time where she had
to remain decidedly low-key in her research. The asylum is still a painful and dark
subject for many Native Americans. Many elders still refuse to talk about Hiawatha or
what went on there. Out of respect for their pain and the past, she progressed slowly
and carefully, garnering information wherever and whenever she could.
After spending several weeks in the South Dakota State Historical Archives, she found
herself talking to Harold Ironshield, a Lakota journalist and then head of the Native
American Reburial Restoration Committee. It was Mr. Ironshield who shed much more
light on how much more went on behind the walls of Hiawatha, things that while barely
touched upon in the state archives, had far more sordid detail in reality.
Seeing her determination and drive to see this project to completion on the screen, we
at Still Springs joined her in the production process. In 2006 we joined forces with Dr.
Todd Leahy of Fort Hayes State University, the foremost academic authority on the
asylum.
Dr. Leahy possessed far more information and documentation than the state archives
regarding the asylum. We were able to see pictures of actual patients, learn the content
(or lack thereof) of patient files and Dr. Hummer's journals. With a very well written
Dissertation Dr. Leahy reveals the true and horrifying realities of Hiawatha, the abuse
of its patients and the arrogant dictatorship of Dr. Hummer. In 2008 Dr. Leahy
continued his research in order to write a book regarding the asylum and even more
information was garnered. All of this aided in creating a well rounded picture of the
asylum and what truly went on there. The end result is Hiawatha Diary, a full length
feature docudrama.
was shocked and disturbed by its contents. Interested in the asylum and its history,
she began to research on her own with the intent of writing her own book, realizing
that the truth had never fully been revealed to the public.
During this process she realized that a movie would be a great medium by which to
release this information. This led her on an amazing trip through time where she had
to remain decidedly low-key in her research. The asylum is still a painful and dark
subject for many Native Americans. Many elders still refuse to talk about Hiawatha or
what went on there. Out of respect for their pain and the past, she progressed slowly
and carefully, garnering information wherever and whenever she could.
After spending several weeks in the South Dakota State Historical Archives, she found
herself talking to Harold Ironshield, a Lakota journalist and then head of the Native
American Reburial Restoration Committee. It was Mr. Ironshield who shed much more
light on how much more went on behind the walls of Hiawatha, things that while barely
touched upon in the state archives, had far more sordid detail in reality.
Seeing her determination and drive to see this project to completion on the screen, we
at Still Springs joined her in the production process. In 2006 we joined forces with Dr.
Todd Leahy of Fort Hayes State University, the foremost academic authority on the
asylum.
Dr. Leahy possessed far more information and documentation than the state archives
regarding the asylum. We were able to see pictures of actual patients, learn the content
(or lack thereof) of patient files and Dr. Hummer's journals. With a very well written
Dissertation Dr. Leahy reveals the true and horrifying realities of Hiawatha, the abuse
of its patients and the arrogant dictatorship of Dr. Hummer. In 2008 Dr. Leahy
continued his research in order to write a book regarding the asylum and even more
information was garnered. All of this aided in creating a well rounded picture of the
asylum and what truly went on there. The end result is Hiawatha Diary, a full length
feature docudrama.
As many of our support system already know, funding for
Hiawatha Diary has proven to be a challenge - basically due to
unrealistic demands by investors. One investor asked that we
"trade out Indians for black people to make the movie more
marketable". Another demanded palm trees around the
asylum. Yet another requested that the producers "introduce
him to a nice Indian woman he could marry" in exchange for the
exact amount of funding.
Needless to say, money has been handed back more than once.
While this has thrown us off schedule, it has not dampened our
resolve. Just the opposite. We are determined more than ever
to bring this information to the public and have been blessed
with a great support system who are willing to wait just as long
as we are to see that this information is revealed.
At this time Still Spring Films is still actively looking for
funding and have attached some terrific actors such as Brandon
Oakes, Moses Brings Plenty and Sarah D'Angelo.
It is our continuing goal with Hiawatha Diary to bring this part of
history out into the open where it needs to be. We would like to
force it into the history books if at all possible - and we already
started in certain venues. What happened at Hiawatha should
not be forgotten. It cannot be changed, its sins cannot be
eradicated, but the memory of those who suffered and/or died
there can be honored in acknowledging that they actually existed.
Hiawatha Diary has proven to be a challenge - basically due to
unrealistic demands by investors. One investor asked that we
"trade out Indians for black people to make the movie more
marketable". Another demanded palm trees around the
asylum. Yet another requested that the producers "introduce
him to a nice Indian woman he could marry" in exchange for the
exact amount of funding.
Needless to say, money has been handed back more than once.
While this has thrown us off schedule, it has not dampened our
resolve. Just the opposite. We are determined more than ever
to bring this information to the public and have been blessed
with a great support system who are willing to wait just as long
as we are to see that this information is revealed.
At this time Still Spring Films is still actively looking for
funding and have attached some terrific actors such as Brandon
Oakes, Moses Brings Plenty and Sarah D'Angelo.
It is our continuing goal with Hiawatha Diary to bring this part of
history out into the open where it needs to be. We would like to
force it into the history books if at all possible - and we already
started in certain venues. What happened at Hiawatha should
not be forgotten. It cannot be changed, its sins cannot be
eradicated, but the memory of those who suffered and/or died
there can be honored in acknowledging that they actually existed.
| Please keep checking back for progress with Hiawatha Diary. |
HIAWATHA DIARY
 | |  |