Older Than America 2008

Three interconnected stories unfold against the backdrop of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation and the neighboring town of Cloquet in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region, revealing deep-seated secrets rooted in a traumatic past. The answers to the mysteries that surface are all buried within the dark history of a now-abandoned Catholic boarding school once operating on the reservation, which holds the key to understanding the present-day events.

In the first storyline, we follow Georgina Lightning as Rain Many Lightnings O’Rourke, an Ojibwe woman who works as a teacher, and her partner Adam Beach as Johnny Goodfeather, a police officer. The couple has been living together for ten years off the reservation, primarily due to circumstances surrounding Johnny’s job. For a long time, they have hesitated to marry, but Johnny’s upcoming acceptance into the FBI training program in Washington, D.C., prompts him to ask Rain about her readiness for such a move. Rain’s reluctance is compounded by her concerns for her mother, Irene, who has been institutionalized in a nearby psychiatric facility and is slowly slipping into a vegetative state. Raised by her devout Catholic Aunt Barbara, known as Tantoo Cardinal as Auntie Apple, Rain turns to the local priest, Father Bartoli, for guidance amid her inner turmoil.

A tragic accident occurs when Rain swerves her car to avoid children in the road—only to find that no children are present. As her mental state begins to unravel, Rain confides in Johnny that she’s been experiencing visions of spectral children, which she fears signify her own descent into madness. She later is transferred to a psychiatric institution, and Johnny’s heated attempt to intervene, demanding answers from her Orthodox community, results in his arrest. Through her visions and investigations, Rain uncovers that these children are the spirits of youngsters murdered years ago at the Catholic boarding school—an institution notorious for kidnapping, institutionalizing, and abusing local children. The spirits communicate her to bring the truth to light, guiding her toward potential healing for the community long scarred by these horrors.

The second story centers on Bradley Cooper as Luke Patterson, a geologist sent to investigate a rare earthquake reported on the reservation. While Luke’s primary task is to study the seismic activity, he quickly develops friendships with Johnny and his family, gaining insight into the reservation’s layered history and the dark legacy of the boarding school from Johnny’s father, Pete Goodfeather. As Luke navigates the local environment, he becomes increasingly aware of the complex history that weighs heavily on the land and its people, understanding that the seismic and spiritual disturbances may be interconnected.

The third narrative follows Glen Gould as Steve Klamath, a passionate advocate running for mayor against the longstanding incumbent, Paul Gunderson. Gunderson’s pro-development stance has alienated many Indigenous residents, and Steve’s campaign aims to stand for indigenous rights from within the political establishment. However, he faces an uphill battle as the Native community tends to abstain from voting, and many non-Natives view his policies with suspicion. The campaign’s dynamics are influenced by Wes Studi as Richard Two Rivers, a prominent radio host revered as the voice of the reservation. Richard provides airtime to Steve, though the true nature of his influence remains ambiguous, hinting that he might not be who he appears to be on the surface.

Throughout these stories, themes of cultural trauma, institutional abuse, and community resilience intertwine. As the characters confront their personal and collective histories, they uncover painful truths buried in the shadows of the boarding school era. Their journeys highlight the importance of facing uncomfortable realities, healing old wounds, and embracing cultural identity. The narrative ultimately suggests that only through acknowledging the past can the community hope to find peace and move forward.