Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian

Documentary | Syd Beane

This documentary follows Kate Beane, a young Dakota woman, as she examines the extraordinary life of her celebrated relative, Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa). Biography and journey come together as Kate traces Eastman’s path—from traditional Dakota boyhood, through education at Dartmouth College, and in later roles as physician, author, lecturer, and Native American advocate.

57 minutes

Release: June 2, 2018

Expiration: June 1, 2022

Distributor: NETA

NOLA: OHIY 0000 H1

Rights: Unlimited releases over four (4) years beginning 6/2/2018;

SCH/1YR (for K‐12); and non‐commercial cable rights.

Syd Beane

Executive Producer
Syd Beane​ (Flandreau Santee Sioux) is an educator, community organizer, and documentary filmmaker. His great-grandfather was Rev. John Eastman, the older brother and mentor of Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa). Syd served as Project Manager of The Dakota Land Study in Minnesota Before 1862 Research/Book Project which was completed with the publishing of the book “Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota.”

Kate Beane

Featured and Narrator
Kate Beane​ (Flandreau Santee Sioux and Muskogee Creek) holds a BA in American Indian Studies and a PhD in American Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. With an employment history rooted in education, she has worked in the Twin Cities as an after school mentor for American Indian youth, an early childhood Dakota language immersion teacher, a local public history consultant, and as a community college instructor.

Walt Pourier

Vice Chair

Walt is Oglala Lakota and created the logo for Urban Rez. He is Creative Director, owner of Nakota Designs Advertising Designs and Graphics. Executive Director of the Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.

lynn palmanteer-holder

Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, an Indigenous plateau woman of North Central Washington and member of eight of twelve Tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Lynn recently retired as inaugural Director of Tribal Government Affairs for Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the state’s oversight agency of 34 CTCs.  She is a highly accomplished professional that spans over 40 years. She is an experienced educator that has a demonstrated history across K12, post-secondary & higher education as a teacher, school counselor, superintendent, researcher, and professor. Also, she has diverse experience as an entrepreneur, Tribal leader and administrator. She is skilled in curriculum and program development, facilitating government to government relationships that led to formal partnerships between state institutions and Tribes developing custom programs. Lynn has served on many boards and has been recognized for various statewide, and national awards. She has several scholarly publications and has done various conference presentations and speaking engagements, at the local, national and international level. Lynn holds a Ph.C. (ABD) in Social Welfare Policy from University of Washington. She earned her M.Ed., with a concentration in counseling psychology from Washington State University and B.Ed., in K12 Education from Eastern Washington University. Lynn is a wife of 49 years, a mother of three adult professional children, granny of 10 and great granny to two. Lynn and her husband are high school sweethearts, and together enjoy time with their 15+ two-legged blessings.