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
Claire Safran (Contributor), Yvette D. Melanson
Amazon.Com US$10.80
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