Independent Lens Season 12 Episode 5 Lost Sparrow

In season 12 episode 5 of Independent Lens titled Lost Sparrow, we are introduced to two brothers who were taken from their Native American family in the late 1970s. The documentary follows the journey of one of the brothers, Mark, as he sets out to uncover the truth behind his brother's death and the circumstances that led to their separation.

The episode begins with Mark traveling to his brother's grave in Wyoming. He hasn't been able to visit in years and wants to pay his respects and reconnect with his brother's spirit. While there, he begins to reflect on the memories he has of his brother and the traumatic events that led to their separation.

Mark and his brother were taken from their family and placed into the foster care system. Mark was eventually adopted and raised by a white family in rural Iowa, while his brother, Jerry, was adopted by a Native American couple and remained on the reservation. The two brothers lost contact with each other and were unable to reconnect until they were in their 20s.

After their reunion, Jerry began to share his experiences of being raised on the reservation, including the physical and emotional abuse he suffered at the hands of his adoptive parents. He also revealed that he had been diagnosed with HIV, which he believed was the result of sexual abuse he experienced during his childhood.

Despite Mark's attempts to help his brother, Jerry eventually stopped returning his phone calls and disappeared. Mark later learned that Jerry had died under mysterious circumstances and was buried in an unmarked grave.

Lost Sparrow follows Mark as he retraces his brother's last few months, trying to piece together what happened and why no one seemed to care that his brother had died. He talks to his brother's former roommates, neighbors, and acquaintances, trying to find someone who can shed light on Jerry's final days.

Throughout the episode, we begin to see how the trauma of separation and cultural dislocation can have devastating effects on individuals and families. We learn about the Indian Child Welfare Act, which was passed in 1978 in an effort to keep Native American children with their families and communities. However, the law was not always enforced, and many children were still taken from their homes and placed into the foster care system.

Lost Sparrow is a powerful and emotional documentary that sheds light on a dark chapter in American history, and the lasting effects of forced separation and assimilation. It is a reminder of the importance of family and community, and the need to acknowledge and heal from the traumas of the past.