The powerful and hard-hitting documentary, American Holocaust, is quite possibly the only film that reveals the link between the Nazi holocaust, which claimed at least 6 million Jews, and the American Holocaust which claimed, according to conservative estimates, 19 million Indigenous People.
It is seldom noted anywhere in fact, be it in textbooks or on the internet, that Hitler studied America’s “Indian policy”, and used it as a model for what he termed “the final solution.”
He wasn’t the only one either. It’s not explicitly mentioned in the film, but it’s well known that members of the National Party government in South Africa studied “the American approach” before they introduced the system of racial apartheid, which lasted from 1948 to 1994. Other fascist regimes, for instance, in South and Central America, studied the same policy.
Noted even less frequently, Canada’s “Aboriginal policy” was also closely examined for its psychological properties. America always took the more ‘wide-open’ approach, for example, by decimating the Buffalo to get rid of a primary food source, by introducing pox blankets, and by giving $1 rewards to settlers in return for scalps of Indigenous Men, women, and children, among many, many other horrendous acts. Canada, on the other hand, was more bureaucratic about it. They used what I like to call “the gentleman’s touch”, because instead of extinguishment, Canada sought to “remove the Indian from the Man” and the Women and the Child, through a long-term, and very specific program of internal breakdown and replacement – call it “assimilation”. America had it’s own assimilation program, but Canada was far more technical about it.
Perhaps these points would have been more closely examined in American Holocaust if the film had been completed. The film’s director, Joanelle Romero, says she’s been turned down from all sources of funding since she began putting it together in 1995.
Perhaps it’s just not “good business” to invest in something that tells so much truth? In any event, Romero produced a shortened, 29-minute version of the film in 2001, with the hope of encouraging new funders so she could complete American Holocaust. Eight years on, Romero is still looking for funds.
American Holocaust may never become the 90-minute documentary Romero hoped to create, to help expose the most substantial act of genocide that the world has ever seen… one that continues even as you read these words.
John Ahniwanika Schertow is an indigenous rights activist of Mohawk (Kanienkehaka) and mixed-European descent. For the past 8 years, he has served as the e... 
WOW…please let them all know
I am Cherokee and Chiricahua. I was raised by my step-father who is of Jewish decent. He taught me all about the Jewish Holocost. It just sickens me everytime I think about all of the mentally ill people who can not accept other people because of the color of their skin and their choice of religion.
I am not Indian but have always respected and admired the way they care for our planet, and the creatures on it. It sickens me to hear and read about the slauters. I am Irish and our people were done in a smilar way. We were not aloud to speakour own language and the English would have to have a take at a mans wife on their wedding night. I think the statement”I will still be an Indian” is so appropriate. I hope everyone sees this.
I knew how the American indians were treated and all the horrific things that were done to them but didn’t know about Hitler studying the tactics used against them. I am cherokee indian and I have always been proud of my heritage. I’m glad truth comes out and hopefully people can learn from the tragic stupidity that led white people to try and wipe out an entire race of people.
How my heart beat so hard watching this, It made me angry and sad. To weep and to smile too for as they say and me too. Even through all they went through I could see and feel it in there eyes. I’m a Indian through and through and will stand beside them. For they are my people and I’m there’s. The man who said the only good indian is a dead one, he has met his end but, he too will have to face the Great Spirit as each will. Our Creator did not make us to suffer in the hands of the white man and there evil deeds. But Holocaust: When its over I will still be indian. Blessings to each of them that made it and continue on in generations to come to never forget and to teach there childern and Grandchildern the truth.
A quick correction. When I said the number of indigenous people killed is 19 million, I was just going by the number mentioned in the film. Covering the entire hemisphere, it’s more like 150-200 million. Sorry about that.
About the Nazi thing… Truth be told, the connection goes a lot deeper than this. I know everybody says “ww2″ was the ‘good war’, but it was just like every other. I mean, one of the main reasons that the US got involved, was not to be the hero. It was for the spoils.
And my oh my where there spoils. For example, the US got to bring home a hefty number of the Nazi doctors and scientists, among others. In fact, where does everyone think NASA comes from?
Industry was heavily invested in them too: FORD made the vehicles (among others), IBM made the computers, GAP made the uniforms, and on and on and on.
There’s lots of details like this that so few us know about: the depth of the reality we live in. So many of us are prevented from ever seeing the whole picture. We’re all kept so busy that we only ever have time to see the shallow and misleading “fox news” version of things.
ps. thanks Kat for putting this up on Care2! And for also every everyone speaking their piece.
thanks for sharing it, is that any printed book about American Holocaust?
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The Ancestors will be silent no more … those yet born are coming as one voice.
Free Leonard Peltier – We need your voice now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8XQ3XUp40A
… consider sharing this link please …
Wado, Doksha, ??iit; hay sx? q???, Mitakuye Oyasin
Where can I purchase this dvd?
Where can I purchase this dvd?
hmm, you used to be able to get the dvd from http://www.rednation.com/media/purchase but that link doesn’t work anymore…. It looks like it’s available at the Institute of American Indian Arts, for $40.00 http://www.iaia.edu/store/pdetail.php?productid=401&type=single
@husni Apologies for not responding earlier, I missed your comment. I don’t think there’s a book connected to the film directly, but, as a starting point, I’d recommend “A Little Matter of Genocide: Holocaust and Denial in the Americas 1492 to the Present” by Ward Churchill. see: http://is.gd/4R2hh
$30 money order – made out to: Red Nation Celebration
Red Nation Celebration
9420 Reseda Blvd, PMB 352
Northridge CA 91324
Thanks Michael.
Thanks Michael…my check will be in the mailbox tomorrow morning. I’ve posted this info on facebook. With much appreciation, Lee
I think the American Holocaust is one of the greatest tragedies in history along with Stalins genocide of an estimate of 10 million and Maos genocide of an estimate of 20 million which is closer to the American tragedy. Of course we also have the killing fields in Cambodia which I just read an article on as well.
I can understand how this woman is not able to get funding from the traditional sources since they are all linked to the military industrial complex that perpetrated the deed. I might suggest going to the Casinos owned by the Indians. They have plenty of money. They also would have an interest in seeing their story told. Maybe there could be some money there for her.
Is this still available from Red Nation Celebration? How much? If not from Red Nation Celebration – then where may I purchase this DVD?
Thank You for your assistance.
Hey Irene. I’m pretty sure you can still get it from them, but if you want to confirm, maybe send a quick email to info@rednation.com or call RNC at 818.854.6078
An earlier commenter said it’ll cost US $30.00
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$30 money order – made out to: Red Nation Celebration
Re: American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian
Red Nation Celebration
9420 Reseda Blvd, PMB 352
Northridge CA 91324
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Sad, worse is today Still Natives Hate race against each others Tribes….or How MUCH Native You are……I was invited onto a Ntive Website Recently and ATTACKED on it for Having Wiccan Beliefs….and For Being Half White…..Wakinyan Oyate~We Speak the Truth……did this to me on their Page!!!!! SAD……On the 23rd of this month they did this……..could not believe Another Native Would Treat another Native in this manner….
One day the Red Nation will go home. Forever.