Native Silence is a 2013 documentary short film telling the story of two Native Americans from Minnesota who were taken away from their families at a young age. Jane Wells of 3 Generations directed the film. It follows the story of Joyce, a recovering drug-addict who now works as a nurse in a mental institution, and Paulette, a mother who doesn’t associate with the natives in her town. Both of them are now grandmothers. The film is told from the perspective of not only them, but also their daughters, Amy and Dawn. Native Silence was selected for screening at the Aspen Shortsfest, the American Indian Film Festival and the Red Nation Film Festival.
Native Silence is a film that tackles the issues of Native Americans from the previous generation who almost never got a chance to tell their story. It documents the historical trauma, drugs, alcoholism, familial estrangement and sexual violence that dominates the Native American population. In spite of these pressing issues, most Americans remain unaware of them.