Watch Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth

Pocahontas is a name that carries with it a certain mystique, a certain mythology. Many Americans are familiar with her name - she was, after all, a key figure in the founding of the United States. But how much of her story is fact, and how much is mere legend? It's these questions that Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth, a documentary from the Smithsonian CHANNEL, sets out to answer. Through interviews with historians, indigenous leaders, and even descendants of Pocahontas herself, the film explores the many facets of her life, and attempts to separate fact from fiction.

The film begins with a re-telling of the familiar story of Pocahontas and John Smith, the English adventurer whom she is most closely associated with. However, as the film quickly reveals, the story we all know - of Pocahontas saving Smith from the chopping block, of the two of them falling in love - is likely just that: a story. Many historians believe that Smith embellished or outright invented the events he described, in order to make himself look more heroic.

But who was Pocahontas really? The film delves into her childhood, her relationship with her father, the paramount chief of the Powhatan tribe. We learn that Pocahontas was likely born around 1596, and that her real name was Amonute. She was the favorite daughter of her father, who had many wives and children.

The film also explores the dynamics between the Powhatan tribe and the English settlers, who began arriving in Virginia in the early 1600s. Relations were fraught from the beginning - the English viewed the Powhatans as savages, and the Powhatans viewed the English as invaders. Pocahontas, in some ways, served as a bridge between the two communities. In one famous incident, she brought food to the hungry English settlers, a gesture that may have helped to prevent them from starving.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of representation. Pocahontas has been portrayed in countless ways over the centuries - as a romantic heroine, as a tragic figure, as a symbol of native resistance. But how do these various portrayals stack up against the historical record? And what does the way we tell Pocahontas's story say about us as a society? These are the questions that the film poses, in sometimes uncomfortable ways.

The documentary also touches on the legacy of Pocahontas, both in terms of her impact on American history and in terms of her symbolic significance. We learn that Pocahontas has been used and abused countless times over the centuries, by everyone from Walt Disney to white supremacists. But we also see how her legacy has been reclaimed and reinterpreted by indigenous people themselves, who see her as a symbol not of subjugation, but of strength and resilience.

One of the strengths of Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth is its willingness to explore uncomfortable topics. For example, the film delves into the subject of sexual violence, and the ways in which it has been used as a tool of colonialism. We learn that Pocahontas may have been raped by one or more Englishmen, and that this was not an isolated incident - sexual violence was all too common in the early years of colonization. The film also touches on the ongoing issue of cultural appropriation, and the way in which Pocahontas's image has been co-opted by non-native people.

Throughout it all, the film is anchored by the voice of Phoenix, a Native American actor who serves as the narrator. His presence lends gravitas and authenticity to the proceedings, and helps to center the story in a native perspective. Other notable interviewees include Kaiah Seraydarian, a member of the Patawomeck Tribe and a descendant of Pocahontas, and Anthony Tether, a retired admiral and historian with a particular interest in early American history.

All in all, Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth is a thought-provoking and engaging documentary. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics, and it succeeds in shedding light on a historical figure who has been misunderstood and misrepresented for centuries. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of indigenous culture, or simply curious about the true story behind the legend, this film is well worth a watch.

Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between March 27, 2017 and on Smithsonian CHANNEL