bridging history and storytelling
Over the past year, I had the opportunity to participate in something a little different from my usual academic and fieldwork routines. I served as a content consultant for the Silver Bullet Productions film No Greater Act, which premiered in Santa Fe on October 30th. The project, produced by an organization known for its Native-centered educational and cultural storytelling, focuses on the Pueblo Revolt, which is a moment in history that continues to shape the cultural identities of Indigenous communities across the American Southwest.
My role in the production centered on providing historical context for the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, one of the most significant uprisings against Spanish colonization in North America. As an anthropologist and archaeologist, I have spent years studying inter-ethnic interaction during the 17th and 18th centuries with a particular focus on Indigenous resistance, refusal, and persistence. But working on this film gave me a chance to step outside the world of archives and collections to support public-facing scholarship that brings Indigenous history to a broader audience.
Consulting for Cultural Accuracy
When Silver Bullet Productions approached me about the project in May of 2024, I immediately recognized the importance of their mission. The New Mexico-based organization has long been committed to producing films that highlight Indigenous perspectives through multi-dimensional storytelling. They wanted to ensure that No Greater Act portrayed the Pueblo Revolt not only as a historical event but as a living story that continues to resonate today.
My contribution involved fielding historical background questions around the broader social and political dynamics of the revolt period and providing recommendations for Tribal experts to be interviewed on camera. It was rewarding to see how deeply the production team valued collaboration and historical integrity. Their process of consultation and inclusive approach to storytelling underscored the importance of listening to Indigenous community voices and maintaining accuracy in how these stories are represented.
The Power of Public-Facing Work
As academics, it can be easy to stay within the boundaries of research and publication. But public-facing work like this reminds me why history matters. When people see their ancestors’ stories on screen, they gain a sense of connection and sense of cultural pride that is often difficult to capture in a flat textbook or research paper. It also allows viewers who might not have direct ties to these histories to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous experiences in both the past and present.
For me, No Greater Act represents the kind of bridge-building that archaeology and anthropology need more of, which includes projects that translate complex histories into accessible, meaningful narratives without losing depth or complexity. Consulting on the film also allowed me to see how collaboration between scholars, filmmakers, and community members can bring history to life in powerful and unexpected ways.
Honoring Indigenous Narratives
The Pueblo Revolt remains a defining moment in Indigenous resistance movements both within North America and more globally. It was one of the first large-scale coordinated rebellions to successfully reclaim Indigenous territories from European colonization and to re-establish cultural and religious practices suppressed by Spanish missionization. Yet beyond its socio-political implications, the Pueblo Revolt was a profoundly collaborative movement which united a linguistically and culturally diverse set of Indigenous communities across the region in an expression of shared self-determination.
I was struck by the Silver Bullet production team’s attention to the complexity of this historical period and their inclusion of a broader range of conflicts leading up to the 1680 revolt including the little known Tiguex War of 1540 which was the first major conflict between Pueblo communities in the northern Rio Grande and Europeans as well as the Hawikuh and Zuni Battle of 1540 and the Taos Revolt by the Pueblos of Taos and Picuris. In discussing these acts of resistance, they emphasised Pueblo survival and the long term impact of these events on contemporary communities. Seeing how this vision came together in the final film was profoundly engaging.
October 15th post on Silver Bullet Production’s Facebook Page promoting the film.
Looking Ahead
Participating in this project has encouraged me to continue seeking out ways to connect academic research with public storytelling. Whether through documentaries, museum collaborations, podcasts, or community-based projects, I believe that archaeologists and anthropologists have a responsibility to make their work accessible and meaningful to descendant communities as well as the broader public.
The experience also reaffirmed my belief that the past is not static—it continues to inform who we are and how we move forward. Films like No Greater Act help ensure that these histories are not forgotten or oversimplified. Instead, they invite reflection, dialogue, and recognition of the resilience that continues to define Indigenous communities today.
For those interested in learning more about No Greater Act or the work of Silver Bullet Productions, I encourage you to visit their official website at Silver Bullet Productions. It is a wonderful example of how film can honor the past while sparking important conversations about our collective future.
