Independent Lens Season 2 Episode 7 The Return of Navajo Boy

In "The Return of Navajo Boy," Independent Lens delves into the complex issue of uranium mining in the Navajo Nation. The episode follows the journey of a Navajo family as they try to find answers about their past and fight for justice in the present.

At the center of the episode is the story of the Cly family, whose patriarch, Elsie Mae, was a Navajo woman who worked in the uranium mines during the 1950s. Elsie Mae and her family were forced to move away from their home and ancestral land after the mining companies contaminated it with radioactive waste.

"The Return of Navajo Boy" explores the impact of uranium mining on the Navajo people, from the devastating health effects suffered by miners and their families to the destruction of the land and water supply. The episode reveals how the government and mining companies knowingly put the Navajo people in harm's way, and how the effects of this exploitation continue to be felt today.

In an effort to shed light on this issue, the Cly family embarks on a journey to reclaim their land and seek justice. The family discovers an old film reel that features footage of Elsie Mae and her children, including a young Navajo boy named Lorenzo. Seeing the footage for the first time in decades, Lorenzo returns to the Navajo Nation to reconnect with his past and figure out his place in the world.

As Lorenzo and the Cly family work to reclaim their land and honor their heritage, they come up against powerful forces that want to keep them from their goals. But through determination and a deep connection to their history and identity, the Navajo people fight back against the injustices that have been inflicted upon them.

"The Return of Navajo Boy" is a powerful and poignant episode that sheds light on a little-known chapter in American history. By telling the story of the Cly family and their struggle for justice, Independent Lens brings attention to the ongoing struggle of the Navajo people and serves as a call to action for viewers to support their cause.