Remaining Native – Movie Review
4th World Media Lab and the cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.
First Reaction – Remaining Native is an important documentary showing the meaning of remember history, however painful it is.
Director: Paige Bethmann
Plot: Ku Stevens wants to be an elite runner, but when the remains of Native children are found, Ku must face his family’s past while attempting to run towards his future.
Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on Remaining Native
Recap
Remaining Native follows Ku Stevens, an elite runner from a native background. He must battle against his background, which has sometimes held him back. Meanwhile, he wants to honor the horrific conditions his Great-Grandfather suffered through to give the next generations a traditional life. We follow his journey to get a chance in the new world as he respects the people who paved the way for him.
Best Parts
The documentary explores the horrific stories of abuse shown toward Native children and the risks the escaped victims took to maintain their legacy. We follow a young man whose life has been open to opportunity because of an ancestor’s escape. It shows the balance of gratefulness for what was sacrificed and understanding living in a more modern America. This is one of many stories and it shows how important their stories are and how we shouldn’t forget the history behind generations before us.
Final Thoughts –Remaining Native shows the importance of remembering where you came from.