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TV movie focuses on 'Jewish Indian'
NOVEMBER 17, 2000

A CBS movie premiering on Sunday explores the true story of Yvette Melanson, a Navajo woman stolen from her parents and adopted into a white family.

"The Lost Child" is inspired by the life of Melanson. Raised by a Jewish family in New York, Melanson discovered her true Navajo heritage through an unlikely medium -- the Internet.

At the age of 43, the discovery changed Melanson's life in an unimaginable way. Throughout her life, she considered herself Jewish and had moved to Israel when she was 17. She even fought in the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Returning wounded to the United States, she began seeking out her true identity. She knew she was adopted, but it was through the Internet that she found her biological sister, a Navajo woman in Arizona, and learned she was taken from her parents soon after her birth.

Such a practice was eventually condemned and stopped by Congress in 1978 with the passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The law gives preference to Indian families in adoption proceedings of Indian children.

"The Lost Child" doesn't focus on the law or the legacy of stolen children, however. Instead, it looks at what happens after Rebecca, the character inspired by Melanson, moves her husband and children to the Navajo Nation and begins the process of trying to fit in with her family and culture.

Naturally, there are conflicts. Viewers who watched Melanson's story on ABC's 20/20 program might remember some of the more humorous ones, such as Melanson learning how to make frybread. But eventually, as in Melanson's autobiography, Rebecca discovers some similarities in her two cultures and finds some balance in her life.

Melanson's character is played by Mercedes Ruehl, a non-Native actress. Luckily, fans of Native actors and actresses can see Irene Bedard, Tantoo Cardinal, Ned Romero, and Michael Greyeyes in roles as members of Rebecca's family. Also, Navajo singer Delphine Tsinajinnie makes her national acting debut in the movie.

The Lost Child airs on Sunday, November 19th at 9PM Eastern Standard Time on the CBS network. Check your local listings for time.

Relevant Links
The Lost Child - www.hallmarkentertainment.com/Lost_Child
The National Indian Child Welfare Association - www.nicwa.org
Delphine Tsinajinnie, Canyon Records - canyonrecords.com/delphine.htm
Looking for Lost Bird : A Jewish Woman Discovers Her Navajo Roots Looking for Lost Bird : A Jewish Woman Discovers Her Navajo Roots
Claire Safran (Contributor), Yvette D. Melanson
Amazon.Com US$10.80

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