"When Your Hands Are Tied" is not for profit educational film created to be freely distributed. This film explores the unique ways in which native youth are finding to express themselves in the contemporary world while maintaining strong traditional lives.

Since Native American youth do not often see reflections of themselves or their communities in mainstream media, we wanted to make a film that features contemporary youth and role models who are finding exciting and positive ways to direct their lives. We also wanted young people to learn the importance of self-motivation in combination with traditional teachings to help prepare for the challenges of everyday life.

Some of the people we meet are:

Navajo rappers, who rap in Navajo, with a mission to communicate to young people the importance of embracing mainstream culture and education as well as their own native languages, customs and traditions.

Navajo punk rock musicians, whose style is Native American Punk-Rock or “Alter Native” with strong sociopolitical messages about government oppression, relocation of indigenous people, eco-cide, genocide, domestic violence and human rights.

Apache Skate Boarders, who through their travels across the country, have learned about filmmaking, photography, and self worth. They have also learned how to carry the message of who they are and where they come from as they pursue their own individual goals.

The Former Governor of Nambe Pueblo, an avid dancer started a break-dance team to help kids stay active and healthy. The break-dancers come from many tribes around the southwest and are encouraged to participate in their traditional dances at home.

Sponsored by
THE HARBER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Producer / Director
MIA BOCCELLA HARTLE
Co Producer
MARLEY SHEBALA Dine (Navajo)/Zuni
Consultant
EAGLE WOMAN
ELSIE KAHN Dine (Navajo)
Consultant
ERIC WILLIE Dine (Navajo)
Cinematography
TOM HARTLE
MIA BOCCELLA HARTLE
Location Audio Recording
DINO DISTEFANO
Editor
MIA BOCCELLA HARTLE
Assistant Editors
TASHA OSTRANDER
GLENN SYSKA
Post Audio Mixing
DINO DISTEFANO
Soundtrack by
BLACKFIRE

FEATURING
Jessica Atsye - Pueblo of Laguna/Din4 (Navajo)

Clayson Benally - Dine (Navajo)

Klee Benally - Dine (Navajo)

Jeneda Benally - Dine (Navajo)

Isaiah Benavidez - Pueblo of Nambe

Radmilla Cody - Dine (Navajo)

David Folsom III - Dine (Navajo) /Acoma/Zuni/
N.Paiute/Mississippi Choctaw

Chester Kahn - Dine (Navajo)

Nette Kahn - Dine (Navajo)

Irwin Lewis - Akimol O’odham

Douglas Miles - San Carlos Apache/Akimol O’odham

Doug Miles Jr. - SanCarlosApache/AkimolO’odham/Dine

‘Mistic’ - Dine (Navajo)

Nicole Munoz - Dine (Navajo)

Manuel Pino - Pueblo of Acoma

Reuben Ringlero - San Carlos Apache/Akimol O’odham

'Shade’ - Dine (Navajo)

Tom Talache - Pueblo of Nambe

Rebecca Touchin - Pueblo of Laguna/Dine (Navajo)

Eric Willie - Dine (Navajo)

Mark Wilson - Dine (Navajo)

Irene Wilson - Dine (Navajo)