The documentary “Warrior Lawyers” takes a look at Native American history through interviews with attorneys and tribal judges while exploring the difficult history of injustice that Native Peoples have faced throughout American history. The film is being shown at the Marquette Regional History Center on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. (Image courtesy of Audrey Geyer)

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Regional History Center will host a screening of the documentary “Warrior Lawyers” at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.

The documentary provides information about the history and the culture of Michigan’s Native American peoples through personal and professional stories of Native American attorneys, tribal judges and their colleagues. The hour-long film provides an overview of the major historical, governmental, legal, judicial and intertwining social justice issues shaping many federally recognized nations today.

“I think that the documentary is particularly timely and relevant given the last couple years with the pandemic and our country’s reckoning with racial inequality, institutional racism and injustice,” said filmmaker Audrey Geyer. “The film deals with a lot of those issues from the Native American perspective.”

Through an exploration of topics like violence against Native American women, historical trauma, treaty rights, tribal sovereignty and Native American child welfare, Geyer hopes that the film can fill in gaps of knowledge that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. Geyer says that she became interested in Native American history and culture in high school.

“The class looked at how Native Americans weren’t really part of the ‘American Dream,'” Geyer said. “What struck me so much was that I didn’t know anything about Native Americans. I was 16 and I didn’t believe I could go that far in school and not learn anything about Native Americans. I came into class with prejudices and stereotypes and without an understanding of the real history behind (Christopher) Columbus and Thanksgiving and what that means to Native Americans.”

While the film tackles difficult topics, Geyer hopes that the documentary can also promote healing and justice to make a brighter future for everyone.

“It was a part of a journey of self-discovery in learning how little I knew about our First Nations and First Peoples,” Geyer said. “Also, as a filmmaker, I understood that documentaries on Native issues are few and far between. I also wanted to show role models for Native youths.”

The documentary is recommended for seventh- grade students on up to adults.

Admission is a recommended $5 donation. Geyer, along with General Counsel for the Lac Vieux Desert Carrie Biron will be in attendance at the showing.

For more information about the film, visit www.warriorlaywers.org.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.