In this feature length alternative audio track, Pocahontas - whose real name was Matoaka - narrates the existing Disney movie but from an Indigenous perspective. With the help of Indigenous historians, the entire movie was re-written and all new dialogue was re-recorded word for word in sync with the original by Indigenous writers and Indigenous voices, with music composed and performed by Indigenous artists. It is an accurate story about the abduction, assault and murder of Indigenous girls and women. It sets the record straight on several harmful misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the story of Pocahontas/Matoaka. Not only does the new script tell the true story of Matoaka, stereotypes of hyper-sexualization are broken down and the values that maintain colonial violence are confronted. It reframes what has become a well- known narrative in a way that is profound, powerful and long overdue.

Missing Matoaka

[First Nation’s song of lament]

[First Nation’s song of lament continues to play in bg]

VO: When everything you have…

is taken from you, even your own story,

All you want is the right to voice your truth,

to honor your own legacy.

The time has come.

I was only 10 years old when everything changed.

The year was 1607.

That’s when I started to be separated from my people,

from my family. From my culture.

Evil was on its way

Every villain thinks they’re heroes, and these men were no different.

Even though they were packing for an eventual genocide.

ENGLISHMAN (bg)

Let’s go!

ENGLISHMAN (bg)

Coming on board!!

MAN 1

Overthere! Is John Smith coming?

MAN 2

John Smith, ah there’s a true pillager. A true pillager indeed

MAN 3

I’ve heard he’s a killer, he is!

MAN 1

I didn’t know you were joining us, Smith!

MAN 2

Well, why wouldn’t he? You can’t murder innocent Natives without him.

JOHN SMITH

Get ready for a signature Smith genocide.

VO:

This is not a story about the power of striking love.

(word striking to match when they hit the poles on the floor)

This is not a story about glory, god, and gold.

Nor a romance.

This is a tragic tale of a woman who was assaulted and kidnapped from her people, from

her identity.

This is the story of the First documented Missing and Murdered Indigenous woman.

My people call me Pocahontas. This is my story.

CUT TO: thunder.

VO: Almost 400 years after my lifetime, this movie was made.

They claimed it was about me.

But it’s all wrong.

ENGLISHMAN

Watch out!!

ENGLISHMAN

Let’s go! This is filling up with water!

ENGLISHMAN

Whoa there!

The closer their ships were to our shores…

The closer my people were to genocide. Hundreds of thousands of Natives were to face

centuries of horror. The storms they brought would cause centuries worth of agony and

pain to my people.

MAN 3

Help! John, come here! Everything’s falling apart!

VO: And I’m here to set the record straight.

I’ve had to change the dialogue to fix this narrative.

JOHN SMITH

I know how to kill people. So I probably know how to save a person too!

But it’s nothing compared to the liberties this film took on the true story,

This is key for the narrative they were trying to build.

JOHN SMITH

Careful!

VO: OK, this little scene here is exactly what I’m talking about.

MAN 3

ah!

VO: This was their chance to show what a “gallant hero” John Smith was.

[John Smith jumps into the sea.]

VO: Don’t let this version fool you. John Smith was no hero. Not in real life. Quite

the opposite.

He was such an outlaw that by the time their ships reached our lands, he had become a

prisoner.

If there’s someone who needed to be saved, it was John Smith himself.

VO: They were willing to do anything for profit.

Stealing from my people.

Raping my people.

Kidnapping and Killing my people.

Kidnapping and killing… me.

In 1624, John Smith published a book in which he tells his distorted version of everything that happened. In his book it is as if we should be thankful to him.

JOHN SMITH (bragging)

Well, You can thank me later.

MAN 1

Why did you do this for?

JOHN SMITH

Just remember what a gallant hero I am.

MAN 2

Do we mention he was arrested on this ship for mutiny?

MAN 2

He’s little killer, he is.

RATCLIFFE

What’s all the ruckus?

MAN 3

Hello, Governor!

JOHN SMITH

he decided to take a swim.

RATCLIFFE

You’re a hero for the masses, Captain. Atta boy.

JOHN SMITH

Nothing to it, sir.

RATCLIFFE

Let’s not get distracted. It won’t be long before we invade native land, and we are

not taking much from them. Just… their food —

PERCY

[Bark.]

RATCLIFFE

Their labour—

PERCY

[Bark bark.]

RATCLIFFE

Their culture and their lives. You are the meanest crew England could ever imagine and

there won’t be anything blocking our path - not even a thousand innocent natives shall

stand in our way. Come on, men!

ENGLISHMEN

[Cheer.]

WIGGINS

A chilling oration. I am positive the men will be riled up for days.

RATCLIFFE

I certainly hope so. I need these idiots to control the Natives, while I get rich.

MAN 3

Stealing their land is going to be great, John. All I want is a lot of gold so I can

build a big house I’ll kill any Native that tries to stop me.

JOHN SMITH (sarcastic)

There won’t be any gold for you, and leave the killing to me.

MAN 1

Can’t we just take the gold and leave?

MAN 2

And miss out on the raping and slavery?

VO: The original version of this movie perpetuates stereotypes like the ‘Indian

princess’, that still have an affect on Natives today.

Leading to hate crimes and violent acts, especially towards Young Native women.

MAN 3

What do you think their land will be like?

JOHN SMITH

Who cares what it’s like? It’s all about gold and riches, half of us will die of

starvation anyway.

I was 10 when they arrived and less than

10 years later they had already murdered me.

My version of this story is long overdue. Now is the time to right the wrong. Starting

with my name.

[Cut to movie Title]

[First Nations song plays in bg]

VO: My given name was Matoaka, which means “flowers between streams,” as I was born

between the rivers Mattaponi and Pamunke.

[song continues in bg]

Sadly, my mother died in childbirth. I reminded my father so much of her that he

fondly called me by her name: Pocahontas.

[song continues in bg]

My father, Wahunsenaca, was the paramount Chief. Not just of my village but of the

entire Powhatan people.

The white men estimate we were about 14,000 to 21,000 people living in our territory.

I had lots of brothers and sisters. And, among my people, I was known to be a brave

and intelligent leader.

I’m pretty sure I was my father’s favorite.

[song continues in bg]

And, no, our Elders are not magical wizards.

But they are essential in our culture.

[song continues in bg]

And there’s my dad. Now there’s a great leader.

KEKATA

Welcome back, Powhatan.

POWHATAN

I’m so glad to see you again, Kekata. It’s a relief to be home. My brothers, the

Massawomecks won't be troubling us! With the strength of our people, we are all safe

once and for all!

NATIVE AMERICANS

[Cheer.]

KEKATA

Having you home brings much joy to all of us. There are smiling faces all around.

POWHATAN

Well, there’s one smiling face missing. Do you know where my daughter is?

KEKATA

Oh, it’s Pocahontas. She is so much like her mother. But our children don’t wander, so

she should be close by.

VO: I didn’t wander off alone - unlike the story you’ve been told. The children,

myself included, were always watched over by our community, at Werowocomoco - our

village.

[Transition to: Top of cliff.]

VO: And that’s supposed to be me. Um, hello, I was 10. I’m like a black-haired barbie

doll. That tiny waist looks like it’s going to snap in half.

NAKOMA

Matoaka over here Hey! The warriors are back! Let’s go see them!

POCAHONTAS

Is he back? I’m coming!

VO: The lead on this film, admitted that he researched paintings from the real Matoaka

- me -, but he ‘was not very impressed’. (said ironicly) Is that right?

And quote “made a few adjustments” so that I looked like a model, with sexy hips and

breasts that he claimed were impressive.

Yes, a 10-year-old girl becomes the ultimate stereotype of an Indian princess tailored

for the desire of a white colonizer.

NAKOMA

Why try?

[Pocahontas dives into the river.]

NAKOMA

Hello? Hello? Are you all okay, Matoaka? Well, I sure hope so because I am not getting

in the water….! [Coughs.] If you wanted to play, you could have just asked me.

NAKOMA & POCAHONTAS

[Laugh.]

POCAHONTAS

Okay, let’s push this thing up.

NAKOMA

So Why were you up there anyway?

POCAHONTAS

Pondering. *gasps at water splash*

NAKOMA

About that nightmare? Have you told anyone about it yet?

POCAHONTAS

It’s gotta signify something, but I can’t figure it out.

NAKOMA

Ask Elder Kekata about it.

POCAHONTAS

Don’t think I should. What if it’s something bad? Well, let’s go, I want to go see my

dad.

[Transition to: The Powhatan Village.]

VO: That’s Kokoum. A few years after this, when I came of age, he brought me food in a

courtship ceremony. And I said yes. We married and had a beautiful baby girl.

NAKOMA

Oh, he’s a good man.

POCAHONTAS

I’m so glad that he survived.

POWHATAN

We will feast tonight in his name

NATIVE AMERICANS

[Cheer.]

POWHATAN

Pocahontas.

POCAHONTAS

My father.

POWHATAN

You bring the brightest smile to my face.

POCAHONTAS

Ive missed you so much!

POWHATAN

Let’s go inside and have a little chat. You’ve got to tell me everything you’ve been

up to.

POCAHONTAS

Oh, well. I’ve been having strange nightmares. And I’m afraid there’s something very

dangerous about to happen.

POWHATAN

Ah – I also have been dreaming.

POCAHONTAS

Really, what about?

POWHATAN

I believe strangers are coming to our land very soon.

POCAHONTAS

How so? From where?

POWHATAN

I can feel that they’re from far away.

POCAHONTAS

But don’t they have their own home of their own?

POWHATAN

My daughter, I see you looking at Kocoum. When you are of age, he would make a fine

husband if you so choose. But for now, enjoy your childhood in the village.

POCAHONTAS

I will of course father, but I’m worried about these strangers.

POWHATAN

We’ll unite and protect our people.

POCAHONTAS

I want to protect my people.

POWHATAN

Matoaka, listen, you’re a special daughter of mine and I believe you’ll play a big

part in our relations with what’s about to come. But I’m afraid for you.

(reciting, not singing)

What’s coming ‘round the river bend

Are people who have chose to roam

I greatly fear this rushing change

Sweeping through our lives and home

POWHATAN

When your mother was pregnant with you, she wore this. She would be proud to see you

wear it now Matoaka. It’s for you.

POCAHONTAS (reciting, not singing)

I’ve never feared the water… or the river.

But maybe now I should

VO: This is one of the most famous scenes in the movie.

It’s where I sing a song alone, about uncertainty.

But I would never enter the waters alone.

As I said, being the Chief’s daughter has

its own price.

And if here I’m wondering

What it will be like around the riverbend

The original film makes it sound like

I’m looking for a husband (lip-sync)

But that’s not a real concern

In my real life story, as I said,

I'll happily marry Kokoum four years later

At the age of 14, which is normal in my culture

We’ll be happy

Until they kidnap me

If I fear what’s beyond the trees

It’s all about to fall

Do I hear the sound of warlike drumming?

Will they share our same values?

Or will they try to kill us all?

I’m truly scared of these people that are coming.

I fear what’s around the riverbend

A pain that will never end?

It’s tragic I seem so happy in this scene.

Up until then I couldn’t see

Will it be war?

Is this my people’s end?

A pain that will never end?

Will it ever end?

What master do they answer to?

Who sits up high upon their throne?

Their greed and hate will overcome?

And force us into the unknown.

Me and you, Kokoum, will protect our people.

Our future is here with our family. (slower lip-sync)

[Transition to: Pocahontas arriving at Grandmother’s glen.]

VO: In my culture, we not only respect the earth and the land we live on but we also

learn from her. The earth, water, sky and all the animals.

We are often reminded and feel close to our ancestors they are within and around us

when we are in nature. But trees don’t grow faces and talk with words. There are many

ways beyond the verbal to communicate with nature.

GRANDMOTHER

Matoaka, is that you?

POCAHONTAS

There’s thing I need to tell you, Grandmother.

GRANDMOTHER

It’s still early, child. Your voice is so serious. But look at you wearing your

mothers necklace!

POCAHONTAS

That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ll have my ceremony and dance with

Kocoum.

GRANDMOTHER

Kocoum? He’s such a brave warrior!

POCAHONTAS

I know! He is so brave! I’ve been trying to be too, but lately I’ve been having this

nightmare and I think it’s—

GRANDMOTHER

A nightmare. Tell me more about it.

ANIMALS

[Chatter.]

GRANDMOTHER

Everyone! Silence!

FROG

[Ribbit.]

GRANDMOTHER

Please, Matoaka, carry on.

POCAHONTAS

So, I’m being chased in the forest and out of nowhere - I see an arrow. When I lean in

to grab it, it just starts spinning.

GRANDMOTHER

An arrow that spins? That’s bizarre.

POCAHONTAS

Right! The arrow builds up speed going round and round until it finally rests.

GRANDMOTHER

Ohh. So, maybe the arrow that is spinning is pointed towards something dangerous in

our path.

POCAHONTAS

But Grandmother, what or who is in our path? I want to protect our people.

GRANDMOTHER

[serious.] But Matoaka You have your mother’s heart and fierce protection.

POCAHONTAS

I do? What if something bad is on its way?

GRANDMOTHER

Just like in nature, you’ll have to adapt to anything that happens. You are surrounded

by spirits. They live in the earth, the water, the sky. They will lead you if you let

them.

POCAHONTAS

I can hear something.

GRANDMOTHER

And what do you understand?

POCAHONTAS

I don’t know.

GRANDMOTHER

Your heart will guide you

Do you understand

[sounds of wind]

POCAHONTAS

I can hear… Scary clouds are coming?

GRANDMOTHER

Your heart will guide you

Do you understand

GRANDMOTHER

What is it?

POCAHONTAS

Scary clouds, I see them.

[Cut to: The Susan Constant.]

VO: When you see Ratcliffe’s portrayal in this movie, you think he is “the” villain.

But the truth is they were all the same; all as dangerous.

WIGGINS

Lots of ways to ravage the land, right, Percy? Do you think we’ll meet the Natives?

RATCLIFFE

Well, if so - we should definitely give them a proper English threat.

WIGGINS

Can we toast to killing them?

RATCLIFFE

Before we slay, we’ll enslave them.

[John Smith enters.]

JOHN SMITH

Governor, we can take the ship to the edge of their territory.

RATCLIFFE

Great to hear. Let’s do just that.

JOHN SMITH

Way ahead of you, sir. I’ve got the men prepared and we are ready to pillage.

RATCLIFFE

About the natives, I’m counting on you to make sure the people of this land don’t

disrupt our pillaging.

JOHN SMITH

Well, if they’re anything like the people I’ve killed before, I can do it with my eyes

closed.

RATCLIFFE

Yes. Okay Smith. Such a vicious man.

RATCLIFFE

Smith’s murdered so many people. I’ll never be a match for him.

WIGGINS

‘Course you will!

RATCLIFFE

I know what all those two-faced liars at court say about me.

WIGGINS

Well yeah, lots of gossip about you being a loser social climber who’s failed at

everything he’s—

RATCLIFFE

I’m well aware that this is my last chance to prove myself. But trust me, my boy, when

King James sees the land and people I exploit, success will be mine, at last.

[Cut to: Exterior, on deck, Susan Constant.]

MAN 2

Morning! Let’s go!

MAN 1

It’s amazing.

MAN 3

This all belongs to us. Best thing ive ever seen

MAN 2

Yeah yeah. I don’t care what it looks like, I just need to get off this god forsaken

ship.

JOHN SMITH

Alright, men, we traveled all this way for more than admiration.

[They row ashore as Pocahontas watches.]

VO: It was spring when they arrived in Tsenacomoca. We were all wearing comfortable

clothes suitable for the heat. That included exposed breasts for women, and some of

the kids didn’t wear anything at all.

When they came, we became sexual targets. Young kids were raped and women had to offer

themselves up in order to keep their children safe.

VO: I wasn’t a wild cat curiously prowling the woods in sexy outfits.

I was surrounded by protection, closely watched and cared for by the community,

especially as I was 10. And the daughter of the chief.

John Smith was a dangerous man. Many feared him. He was known to enter villages and

put guns to the heads of chiefs demanding food and supplies.

Remember, he was already a convicted criminal when he invaded our land.

MAN 2

Alright, almost there. Careful … careful.

MAN 1

Okay, that’s it! Now tie it up tight

MAN 3

So, this is all ours now? John? Hello? Wait, what are you looking at?

JOHN SMITH

Just mapping out what’ll be mine.

VO: This man was about 27 years old when he arrived - again, I was only 10. And we

never - EVER - had anything close to a romantic relationship.

[RACOON bumps into him.]

JOHN SMITH

Whoa! Aren’t you an ugly-looking thing. What do you want? Just take it, it’s a

biscuit. It’s nasty… you may like it. You do, huh? Well, I might just have you for

dinner later.

VO: No, thanks, we have real food here.

JOHN SMITH

Who’s there?

VO: What really happened is that their settlement couldn’t even feed themselves.

Then, John Smith would invade our village, put guns to our heads and steal our food

and other resources.

[Flit attacks him. Biscuits drop on the floor]

JOHN SMITH

Stop it, don’t mess with a ! No… Get that… Look out!

MAN 3

Hey! Get down here, John! The Governor’s almost here!

JOHN SMITH (smiling)

oh ah I’ll kill you too, little bird.

[RACOON eats his food crumbs on the floor]

[Transition to: Interior, Powhatan camp.]

VO: In my culture, elders and appointed leaders would gather for ceremonies to discuss

our future. Some of the rituals would take days.

POWHATAN

We need to learn all about these invaders. Elder Kekata, what should we do?

VO: Our ceremonies are sacred to us and we honor the wisdom of our elders. But this

wizard smoke performance crap is ridiculous. As I said before, they are Elders not

magicians.

KEKATA

These intruders are not like us. They are dangerous creatures with skin that glows

like the stars and weapons that breathe fire and roar. They pillage the land like

hungry animals devouring everything in their way.

VO: Everything.

KOCOUM

Powhatan. I will guide our brothers to the waters and defend our land. We will protect

our people the way we protected them from the Massawomecks.

POWHATAN

Kocoum, in that battle we fought with the same weapons, but these dangerous invaders

are strange to us. Take some men to the river to watch them. We need them to leave as

quickly as they’ve come.

[Cut to: Exterior, English settlement, day.]

RATCLIFFE

I hereby unrightfully claim this land and all its potential riches in the name of King

James the first, and thereby declare this settlement as Jamestown.

VO: No. It’s called Werowocomoco.

WIGGINS

Very colonial, sir! Hurry now, Percy.

WIGGINS

We must be all squeaky clean to take their land.

[Exits.]

VO: Ratcliffe wasn’t even the “first governor of ‘Jamestown’”.

That was Edward Wingfield. Ratcliffe and John Smith deposed Wingfield from office

months after arriving. And then Ratcliff took over.

That is until Smith took the job from Ratcliffe who fled back to England “for fear

lest the colonists cut his throat”.

And yet they call us the “savages”.

RATCLIFFE

Hey Smith! I’ve done a damn good job picking the location, huh? Now where are the

Natives?

JOHN SMITH

Oh they’re out there somewhere - Im certain of it.

RATCLIFFE

Okay then, maybe you should head out and figure out where to invade first?

JOHN SMITH

If there are any Natives out there, I’ll get them.

RATCLIFFE

Right, men, get to work. You there, unload the boat.

ENGLISHMAN

Yes, sir.

RATCLIFFE

And you - build the fort. As for the rest of you, get the shovels out and start

digging.

MAN 2 & MAN 1

What?

RATCLIFFE

I said, dig! Let’s remember what the Spanish found when they pillaged Indigenous lands

of the South. Gold, and massive amounts. Columbus showed us how it’s done when he

ravaged the land and enslaved the Native people and now… it’s our time.

[song plays in background]

Rewritten Song Lyrics (spoken-poem in an angry tone, it’s not a song)

RATCLIFFE

Why are we here?

Why have we travelled

Across the big pond

Our worlds we’ve unravelled

We’ve risked our lives

We’re facing starvation

And don’t we all know it boys

It’s no vacation, boys

Work, boys, work for your kingdom

And dig deep, for god and for me

Come with me boys

C’mon, boys

Find all that’s of worth

We’ll rape all the earth until there is nothing of value

It's all good

because We’re white. White. White!

ENGLISHMEN

Rape and rape and rape and rapeity.

Rape and rape and rape and rapeity rape.

VO: They didn’t only care about gold.

RATCLIFFE

Every piece is mine

VO: They found all sorts of ways to exploit the land and my people.

Tobacco farming was one of their main excuses to invade more of our land.

RATCLIFFE

My riches back home

Will make people envious

Everyone will squirm

They all know I’m devious

I make people suffer

I change soul for gold

I think I can do it all.

And I’ll still be rewarded

What else can I say?

I am white, white, white.

with my my privilege

I’m white, white,

Give me all you have

I bring suffer to the natives

And pretend I don’t see it.

While I say I’m a Christian

I take land and lives with no guilt

What else can I say?

I’m white

VO: Don’t get me wrong, he looks like a villain, but he caused just as much harm as

all the others.

JOHN SMITH

I’ve traveled all the world taking from and killing natives.

Many wild adventures I’ll exaggerate when I write about it

Thousands of people die and I look happy like in a musical

This land I’m claiming thus it’s all mine

I’m entitled, ha ha I’m white

RATCLIFFE

Don’t stop exploiting

RATCLIFFE

Rape the lands and lives

VO: Yeah, enough with this scene. The early 1600s were not a musical, they were

actually a horrendous time for all the tribes near my land.

The English people made failed attempts to harvest their crops in our lands. I’ll talk

more about that later, but when they failed with their agriculture, they broke into

our villages to steal our food – and left us with barely anything.

Maybe this part with all the explosions and land getting utterly destroyed is the part

most akin to what really happened.

And they started to face a grave problem: they were so inept their “settlement” was

not making profit. England wanted to send them back home. How far were they willing to

go to save their endeavor?

VO: OK, so this is the scene in the movie when John Smith and I meet for the first

time.

The idea that John Smith and I ever loved one another is crazy. That couldn’t be

further from the truth. Even if the pasty faced, muscle-bound, neck-as-big-as-hishead,

look does it for you, it’s not what John Smith looked like.

Look at this, as if anyone could see a clear reflection of a distant person in a

handful of water. And they think we’re the mystical magicians.

Anyway, back to John’s looks. He was actually skinny and sickly looking from a long

ocean voyage, He wore the weirdest clothes I’ve ever seen (big puffy pants, a cape,

and a high collar making him look like a fancy bird.) And hair on his face like an

animal! Not clean and smooth like this guy. So much big bushy hair with long pieces

sticking out to the sides from his nostrils! I’d never seen anything so odd.

Even if I was older - I would never have been attracted to a man like him.

Ready? Here comes another hyper sexualized Indian princess fantasy moment. I

honestly can’t believe the way they drew me.

I’m like a sexy mountain lion stalking her prey.

Feral, savage, beautiful and wild.

Yet curious and innocent like a kitten. Uh Barf.

I’m sure you’ve figured out that my first meeting with John Smith was NOTHING like

this. First of all, I was only 10 and didn’t roam around the woods alone with only my

precocious animal friends as company.

No, the first time I saw Captain Smith was when I accompanied my father to meet the

newly arrived Jamestown colonists. In my culture, bringing along a child to a meeting

gives a message of peaceful intentions.

I do remember that Smith made an impression on my father, as he later appointed Smith

as Weromance (leader) of the colonists and he would liaison with the Chief.

VO: What is he doing? Why is he coming closer? OK, I’m out of here.

Pocahontas runs away.

JOHN SMITH

No, wait! Don’t! Stop!

Pocahontas running.

VO: What is that guy thinking approaching a girl he’s never met? He’s a total

stranger. And besides, that pasty skin look does not do it for me.

Pocahontas gets into the canoe

JOHN SMITH

Stop!

VO: Seriously, he followed me?

JOHN SMITH

Listen to me.

VO: Creep.

JOHN SMITH

Finally. It’ll be okay.

VO: Yeah right.

JOHN SMITH (reaching his hand out)

Come here so I can take advantage of you.

POCAHONTAS

Why are you following me?

JOHN SMITH

I don’t understand a word you’re saying missy.

JOHN SMITH

That’s because I’d rather kill you than learn from you.

VO: So just to be clear, again, none of this happened.

OK ready? This is where John Smith’s fantasy about a hyper-sexualized Indian Princess

really kicks in. Later he’ll brag in his memoirs about how I fell in love with him.

But that’s long after I’m gone and can’t refute it.

Look at this! As if I would ever get out of the canoe and go with him. That’s crazy!

Yeah, that’s right, hummingbird, stop her.

And what’s with all the leaves and the weird objects flying around us? Does he think

I’m some noble mystical savage who can control nature?

JOHN SMITH

What are you?

VO: What do I say? I’m Chief Powhatan’s favorite daughter so you better not hurt me?

Or - I’m no one important- so let me go?

POCAHONTAS

Not your toy.

JOHN SMITH

Right. You wish.

POCAHONTAS

Why don’t you just Let me go.

JOHN SMITH

This is just the beginning.

VO: Yes, this was the beginning of the end.

RATCLIFFE

Don’t stop now. Work, work. We will find our wealth somewhere.

NAMONTACK

There’s a lot of them - If we don’t stop them now–

KOCOUM

They may cause endless harm.

RATCLIFFE

Find anything?

MAN 3

Just stones and mud, Governor.

MAN 1

Um, why haven’t we enslaved some Natives to dig for our gold, sir?

MAN 2

Right! That’s a good idea. Get rich and watch a show.

RATCLIFFE

John’s looking for the natives right now. It shouldn’t be long. Hey! You!

WIGGINS

Yes governor!

RATCLIFFE

Get rid of this.

WIGGINS

Mmm. Who’s a dumb doggy? Who’s a dumb doggy? Get it!

RATCLIFFE

Natives! Kill them or capture them! Quickly!

WIGGINS

Go!

RATCLIFFE

Get armed! Every man needs a gun! Kill them! Them, you moron!

Why are they shooting us? We think we’re superior!

KOCOUM

You’re hurt!

VO: Kokoum was a brave warrior. But instead of fighting we tried to negotiate peace.

Even in the midst of my kidnapping… We always tried to negotiate peace.

KOCOUM

Hurry, let’s go.

[The Natives flee.]

ENGLISHMEN

[Cheer.]

RATCLIFFE

Silence, silence, you idiots! We’ll mount an attack! You: find their village. The

rest, get ready for slave workers and women to serve our needs!

MAN 2

Yes sir!

RATCLIFFE

[To MAN 3.] Hey Boy! Grow up and figure this out. How can you rape someone if you

can’t even shoot your gun?

Interior, medicinal tent, Powhatan camp.

KEKATA

[Chanting.]

POWHATAN

These white demons ravage our riverbanks, and did… this.

KEKATA

[Chanting.] Why am I shaking a rattle? I know how to heal a wound.

POWHATAN

We need to defend ourselves but we need more people. Kocoum, send messages to all our

people. We have to band together. Everyone!

He steps outside the tent.

POWHATAN

The Pale strangers are venomous! We must protect our people.

JOHN SMITH

It shields my head.

POCAHONTAS

Looks unnecessarily cumbersome.

JOHN SMITH

So, What is this river called?

POCAHONTAS

Quiyoughcohannock.

JOHN SMITH

Nah. I’ll give a new name that makes more sense to me. Jamesriver- -. Smith-smith

river- - Less strange, huh?

POCAHONTAS

They’re not strange at all, white man. You’re just ignorant.

JOHN SMITH

[Pulls RACOON out of his bag.] hey! Are you stealing food? That’s my job.

POCAHONTAS

It’s a raccoon.

JOHN SMITH

Oh, shake my hand, raccoon. Come on now, where’s your manners? Grab my hand, see?

POCAHONTAS

You’re probably diseased.

JOHN SMITH

Let’s go, give me your hand. Learn to say hello.

VO: I would never grab his hands.

VO: Or teach how to behave in a civilized fashion - it was not possible.

JOHN SMITH (makes a wingapo gesture)

“I don’t care”.

POCAHONTAS

And this is goodbye. Ana.

JOHN SMITH

Okay, well. Hello.

VO: I like goodbye better.

[Flit charges at him.]

JOHN SMITH

Well, here you are again.

POCAHONTAS

He’s mad because you touched me

JOHN SMITH

I don’t need permission, because I think I’m superior to you.

POCAHONTAS

Clearly you’re not.

[RACOON steals John’s compass.]

JOHN SMITH

Stop!

POCAHONTAS

Good job, Raccoon!

JOHN SMITH

Hopefully he doesn’t hurt it. [RACOON hits it against a rock.] Hey, give it back.

POCAHONTAS

Break it harder!

[RACOON climbs up a tree.]

JOHN SMITH

Yeah, Whatever. I’ll take more than he ever could...

POCAHONTAS

Did you hear that?

JOHN SMITH

It’s called a compass.

POCAHONTAS

What’s that?

JOHN SMITH

It helps you navigate which way you’re going. But it’s fine, I will just get another

when I am back in London.

POCAHONTAS

Is London the name of your land?

JOHN SMITH

It’s a big city.

POCAHONTAS

Can you go back, please?

JOHN SMITH

Nah, I’m good. We have things called streets and we abuse horses to carry us around,

and our views of rivers are obstructed by the bridges we’ve built.

POCAHONTAS

So it’s nicer here.

JOHN SMITH

Not for long.

POCAHONTAS

What?

JOHN SMITH

We’re going to enslave your people, steal your food and land, then we’ll kill you with

disease and guns.

POCAHONTAS

That’s horrible!

JOHN SMITH

Yes! Then we’ll force what’s left of you onto reservations

POCAHONTAS

Go back to London.

JOHN SMITH

We can’t because we’re greedy and heartless.

[Pocahontas starts to leave.]

JOHN SMITH

Get back here; I’m not done with you –

[Flit attacks him.]

JOHN SMITH

Wait, hold up, come on! Stop! There’s so much we will do to you. We’ve destroyed the

lives of Savages all around the globe.

POCAHONTAS

You mean us?!

JOHN SMITH

Uh, godless heathens better?

POCAHONTAS

You’re godless.

JOHN SMITH

no. And we have some great plans. Like Indian boarding schools-

POCAHONTAS

You’re monsters!

JOHN SMITH

No, you’re not going anywhere. Look, just face it. No matter how advanced you are, we

still think we’re better than you and after we take advantage of you –

POCAHONTAS

oh Great.

JOHN SMITH

Then we’ll kill most of you and take away your land and culture –

[He falls out of the tree.]

POCAHONTAS

Like I said, you’re monsters.

POCAHONTAS

Ya know, You keep calling me a savage.

Yet you’re the one who is obviously uncivilized.

You threaten with your guns

Take it, go away from here.

How can you be so oblivious to the pain you cause?

Just tell me how.

[foley/Native song plays in bg]

VO: Ok, so remember that whole Noble Mystical Savage stereotype?

It kicks in big time with a fantastical moment.

The film only acknowledges a slight sliver of my culture — like recognizing that the

trees and rocks have spirits…

That’s not enough when you create an entire narrative based on harmful misconceptions.

VO: I don’t care how connected to nature I am.

I would never take a bear cub from its mom. Death wish!

POCAHONTAS

If I had a wish, it would be for them to vanish from our lives soon.

VO: But, then again, there’s only so much the spirits of our ancestors can do.

VO: I would never say this. What does painting with the wind even mean?

VO: And another death-defying leap off a waterfall.

They must think I’m crazy.

VO: Ewww, stop with all the fantasizing, John. It never happened.

I know you wrote about this in your stories later – and it’s a complete lie.

VO: We would never willingly touch each other.

Ouch! Those talons. Our arms would of been torn to pieces.

Cut it down, this fake romance is outrageous.

VO: Well at least we’re not jumping off THIS cliff.

Can you imagine the damage this depiction created for generations of First Nations

women? As if we were sexy and adorable objects… just waiting to be exploited.

VO: Gross, don’t kiss him, don’t kiss him.

VO: Whew, saved by the drums.

JOHN SMITH

I hear something.

POCAHONTAS

That’s the drums. There must be trouble.

POCAHONTAS

Trouble for the white man

JOHN SMITH

I’m gonna find you again.

POCAHONTAS

No thanks.

JOHN SMITH

Stop, don’t leave.

POCAHONTAS

Let go of me creep.

MAN 2

All right! This wall will keep them out!

MAN 1

This is going to show the Natives we’re the dominant ones!

MAN 2

Then we can steal their food!

MAN 1

And rape their women!

MAN 2

And children!

MAN 3

That’ll keep those heathens out, eh? What’s the matter, John?

JOHN SMITH

Nothing?

MAN 3

You’ve been such an ass the past few days.

MAN 1

Oh, he’s just mad that he’s not the boss yet.

MAN 3

ah Don’t bother. You’ll get your chance to kill some Natives.

MAN 1

Yeah, then we’ll overthrow the governor and you can take over, then we can really take

advantage of them.

MAN 2

OK, you howling killer, now back to work!

MAN 1

Hey, you. you know I’m right.

MAN 2

All I know is we should be doing what Columbus did and enslave the Natives and we get

rich. Yet Ratcliffe sits up there caring more about gold than getting us some food.

[Cut to: Interior, Ratcliffe’s tent.]

RATCLIFFE

I’m doomed! All I’ve found is fool’s gold and what am I supposed to do with that?

What do I report back to England? Think… think. I know! I’ll send piles of the fool’s

gold back to England saying it’s real gold. King James is an idiot, I’m sure he’ll buy

it. Then I can keep getting paid to exploit the land and the Natives, and I’ll be a

rockstar at court! Why didn’t I

think of this before?

WIGGINS

Oh!

RATCLIFFE

[Gasp.]

WIGGINS

I… I… I appropriated it myself.

RATCLIFFE

You’re out of your mind… Of course, the Natives! Wiggins, why do you think the Natives

were watching us?

WIGGINS

Because they know we threaten their very existence and way of life?

RATCLIFFE

They don’t want us to control them. They heard about what Columbus did down south and

they don’t want us to rape, enslave, and kill them just like they did.

[Cut to: Exterior, Jamestown settlement.]

RATCLIFFE

Aye, you! Where the hell is Smith?

MAN 1

Oh, uh… not here!

MAN 2

Well, he’s probably looking for chiefs to threaten.

RATCLIFFE

oh? he’s probably looking for chiefs to threaten??

MAN 1

But we haven’t eaten in days.

RATCLIFFE

That’s what guns are for, now go steal from the savages.

[Cut to: Exterior, Powhatan corn field, day.]

VO: The Englishmen were pressured by their homeland to be profitable and thus started

to make our lives impossible. There were growing rumors that they wanted to kidnap me

or keep me hostage, as I was the Chief’s daughter. That’s when a colonist named Samuel

Argall kidnapped me and threatened my village with more violence.

At first, they sought food that they couldn’t grow themselves. Then, they sought blood.

POWHATAN

Daughter! You are helping with the harvest.

POCAHONTAS

Of course, father.

NAKOMA

yes Even 10-year-olds can help, Uncle.

POWHATAN

Okay, but be quick. Stay close to the elders.

POCAHONTAS

Absolutely.

POWHATAN

When I see you wear that necklace, I think of your namesake, your mother.

POCAHONTAS

I wish I knew her.

POWHATAN

She is within you. Our people admired her ability to keep the peace. With this new

threat upon our shores, peace or protection will be necessary.

One day you will act as a gesture of peace.

POCAHONTAS

It would be my honor.

POWHATAN

You need more protection out here. I’ll tell Kocoum to come out. [Exits.]

NAKOMA

Okay, spill it.

POCAHONTAS

Me?

NAKOMA

What are you hiding?

POCAHONTAS

Oh, it’s nothing.

NAKOMA

Matoaka, we’re best friends. I know when something’s wrong.

[John Smith enters.]

NAKOMA

[Gasp.] Look! It’s a pasty faced man in weird clothes with hair on his face like an

animal. It must be one of them, I’m going to get l— [Pocahontas covers her mouth.]

POCAHONTAS

Shh! I can protect you.

NAKOMA

hmm?!

JOHN SMITH

I’m going to kidnap you.

NAKOMA

hmm?!

KOCOUM

Pocahontas!

NAKOMA

Rmmm!

KOCOUM

Matoaka!

POCAHONTAS

You, stay safe. Fine, take me.

NAKOMA

Wait—

[Pocahontas and John exit.]

KOCOUM

Nakoma, have you seen Pocahontas?

NAKOMA

um A…white guy kidnapped her.

KOCOUM

Pocahontas needs to stay safe. It’s dangerous out there. Can you tell her? She might

listen to you.

NAKOMA

well they promised to send her back!

[Cut to: Exterior, Grandmother’s glen, day.]

VO: I would have never shown John Smith my favorite hiding spots.

If I did - it would be because I was forced - not holding his hand, showing him the

secrets of our culture.

They demanded my father give up on me and leave me as a hostage or… they would cause

violence against our people. It was an impossible dilemma.

JOHN SMITH

I’m glad I forced you take me to your sacred place. Hey! did I mention I have zero

respect for your culture and your people?

POCAHONTAS

We can sit here.

JOHN SMITH

but where’s the gold?

POCAHONTAS

What are you saying?

JOHN SMITH

Don’t play dumb… It comes from the earth, has a lot of value and it’s yellow.

POCAHONTAS

I see, yeah - I have it with me. [Takes out an ear of corn.] Gold.

JOHN SMITH

Uh, this is what I mean. [Takes out a gold coin.]

POCAHONTAS

Oh, I have never seen that.

JOHN SMITH

Never seen gold?

POCAHONTAS

Definitely not.

JOHN SMITH

[Laughs.] You’re lying. We’ll find it, stop at nothing, and destroy everything in our

path.

POCAHONTAS

No, please just leave.

JOHN SMITH

Not gonna happen.

POCAHONTAS

What will you all do?

JOHN SMITH

You won’t even recognize this place when we are done with it - if you’re even alive to

see it.

POCAHONTAS

Please, this is my home…

JOHN SMITH

Did you see that?

POCAHONTAS

That was nothing.

JOHN SMITH

No no… I think I saw something. What are you hiding?

POCAHONTAS

This is sacred land.

GRANDMOTHER

You must leave us alone

I hope you understand

Oh, colonizer.

JOHN SMITH

Hey Native, that tree wants to talk.

POCAHONTAS

Then you should listen.

GRANDMOTHER

You and the others need to leave. This land is not yours to take.

POCAHONTAS

Keep listening.

JOHN SMITH

This is ridiculous.

POCAHONTAS

Please have respect.

JOHN SMITH

Look, here…

GRANDMOTHER

Let me see you, colonizer. He has the heart of a trickster. Don’t believe his lies.

JOHN SMITH

Okay, I’m done here.

POCAHONTAS

Buh bye blondie

MAN 2 (off-screen)

Aye! John! Are you out there?

JOHN SMITH

Now you’re trapped..

GRANDMOTHER

Get out of here.

MAN 1

We look like adorable buffoons, but what we really did was to harm the Natives.

MAN 2

Well if you see one, don’t think twice - just aim.

[Grandmother trips them.]

MAN 2 & MAN 1

Ow!

MAN 2

Look where you’re stepping, you idiot!

MAN 1

I was. I think the tree moved.

MAN 2

We don’t know anything about this land…. I think we should go. Hurry!

MAN 1

Don’t we need to find John?

MAN 2

He can capture and kill the Natives on his own.

[MAN 1 and MAN 2 exit.]

JOHN SMITH

You won’t have that much luck next time.

GRANDMOTHER

Stop with your threats and leave.

JOHN SMITH

Well I should go so I can share all these secrets and exploit your culture.

POCAHONTAS

I never want to see you again.

JOHN SMITH

Oh, you’ll be held captive and there’s nothing you can do. [Exits.]

GRANDMOTHER

I’ve never seen such a dangerous man in all my years.

POCAHONTAS

What am I gonna do? He threatened to come back again. I mean, how do I stop him…

GRANDMOTHER

You need to stay with the elders- he’s dangerous.

POCAHONTAS

I will. But something tells me it won’t matter.

GRANDMOTHER

Maybe it’s your vision.

POCAHONTAS

My nightmare? Do you think the spinning arrow was pointing to the invaders?

[Cut to: Exterior, Powhatan village, sunset.]

VO: It was actually Samuel Argall, not Smith, who kidnapped me by threatening to harm

the whole village if I didn’t go with him.

He left a copper pot behind and later claimed he traded it for me . Yeah, right.

And some historians still repeat this absurdity, despite the fact that it is ABSURD! Do

they think we value our people so little?

[Pocahontas arrives.]

NAKOMA

Matoaka, what are you thinking? You’re out of your mind to be around—

KOCOUM

Finally I found you!

POCAHONTAS

oh hi

KOCOUM

Look, warriors. We now have enough men to get rid of those pale monsters!

POWHATAN

Thanks to our neighboring villages - there are enough of us to protect our people.

[Pocahontas runs to her father.]

POCAHONTAS

I want to help, father.

POWHATAN

No, Matoaka It’s far too dangerous.

POCAHONTAS

I’ll go as a hostage- temporarily. I’ll be the symbol of peace.

POWHATAN

I don’t want that, it’s too risky for you.

POCAHONTAS

I’m scared, but I know it’ll be for the better.

POWHATAN

No - you won’t be safe.

POCAHONTAS

They promised to leave us in peace but only if I go with them…

POWHATAN

We can’t trust them—

POCAHONTAS

I’ll pack my things.

POWHATAN

You are brave, my daughter. Very brave. Your mother would be so proud.

[Cut to: Exterior, Jamestown, sunset.]

VO: Just prior to my kidnapping, my people managed to make some alliances with the

English men. We all feared the Spanish invasions. And my father actually grew to like

and trust John Smith. Eventually, we offered him the position of “werowance”, a leader

of the colonists.

But John Smith used this to perpetuate another one of his many harmful lies. One that

led to him being imprisoned and almost killed.

JOHN SMITH

Whoa there. Not native!

MAN 3

Oh, Captain! I wanted to shoot a Native!

JOHN SMITH

You can't shoot one like that! If you want to kill a native, don’t close your eyes.

MAN 2

John! been lookin’ for ya!

MAN 1

Have you been hiding or what?

RATCLIFFE

Captain! Tell us all that you’ve found.

JOHN SMITH

There is a lot of land to exploit.

RATCLIFFE

Terrific. And you’ve mapped out the Natives’ locations. We can prepare for our attack.

JOHN SMITH

We’re attacking?

RATCLIFFE

Oh yes - killing off these Natives once and for all.

JOHN SMITH

Why?! We can do better!

RATCLIFFE

What do you mean?

JOHN SMITH

I don’t think we have to kill them… yet.

MAN 3

Captain, you are being ridiculous.

JOHN SMITH

I tricked one of them.

MAN 2

Excuse me?

MAN 3

A Native?

JOHN SMITH

They’re generous and naive. We can enslave them. This is their land - let’s make them

work it. I’ve stolen some food already.

MAN 1

You call that food?

JOHN SMITH

Yeah - it’s tasty and they’ve grown a lot of it.

WIGGINS

Let’s get more.

RATCLIFFE

Why waste the energy! We just need to kill! All of them! They are hiding our gold and I

will do what I need to in order to get it.

JOHN SMITH

apparently there isn’t any gold

MAN 2

Wait, there isn’t?

RATCLIFFE

and I suppose the little native you met said this?

JOHN SMITH

Correct.

RATCLIFFE

They’re lying! It’s a lie. We must kill them all before rumors of no gold reach

England.

JOHN SMITH

Let’s just enslave them!

RATCLIFFE

I am the Governor! And boy You do as I say! And I am telling you that if any of you

even see a Native without shooting them right away - you will be breaking my laws and

will be killed.

NAKOMA

Matoaka!

POCAHONTAS

Let me go.

NAKOMA

Please, stop. You don’t have to always be the one to keep the peace.

POCAHONTAS

They gave their word.

NAKOMA

You’re so young!

POCAHONTAS

Which is why it’ll work.

NAKOMA

These guys are jerkwads, they can’t be trusted.

POCAHONTAS

Don’t worry Nakoma.

NAKOMA

Matoaka, no… They rape and enslave if they feel like it. Don’t go.

POCAHONTAS

I know, but it will be okay.

NAKOMA

Wait, stop!

[Cut to: Exterior, Jamestown settlement, night.]

VO: When I was taken by Samuel Argall and the colonists. I was already married to

Kocoum with a beautiful baby . They swooped me out of there so fast I couldn’t even say

goodbye .

The colonists started breaking their promises the moment they didn’t let me take my

baby with me.

It was the last time I saw my child.

MAN 2

There’s gotta be gold. The Natives probably defended themselves because they are

hoarding it.

VO: While in their captivity, I was raped many times. Our sacred oral tradition says

that it was by more than one man. I fell into a deep depression being treated so

horrifically.

but Dr. Lindwoon Custalow, a historian specializing in the Mattaponi Tribe, wrote a

book called The True Story of Pocahontas, the Other Side of History.

[MAN 3 follows John to the edge of the settlement.]

MAN 3

[Gasp.]

RATCLIFFE

Go after him.

MAN 3

I will.

RATCLIFFE

We need to figure out where he is running away to.

MAN 3

Okay.

RATCLIFFE

Don’t forget to shoot any Native you might see. Any of them. by the way - I don’t care

what happens to you or John Smith. I might even kill you myself if I have to.

VO: In my society, rape was not tolerated — it was pretty much unheard of among my

people. It was so rare we didn’t even consider that as a possibility. Another big

difference between us and the colonizers.

[Cut to: Interior, Kocoum’s tent.]

KOCOUM

Nakoma?

NAKOMA

Matoaka is….

KOCOUM

she offered herself … as a peace symbol?

NAKOMA

Yes… She is in danger.

[Cut to: Exterior, Grandmother’s glen, night.]

GRANDMOTHER

I can feel a rumble in the ground. What’s wrong?

POCAHONTAS

Someone is coming for me!

JOHN SMITH

Native girl!

POCAHONTAS

Oh no!

JOHN SMITH

If this story was told correctly, I would be Captain Argall and I would be kidnapping

you forever.

POCAHONTAS

But I am married to Kocoum and I have a baby, leave me alone.

JOHN SMITH

I would then say, if you don’t come with me - I will bring violence to all your people.

I’ll lie and say I will bring you back - but I won’t.

[Percy enters.]

VO: After I was taken by Samuel Argall, things became worse than I could ever imagine.

[Percy chases RACOON.]

VO: Right after they took me, they murdered my husband in cold blood.

One of many broken promises.

You'll hear all sorts of versions of my story including one that says Kocoum died in a

battle to save me. He didn’t even get the chance.

GRANDMOTHER

Down doggie and listen up. Smith – you can’t even control a little pug! You all need to

leave. And your little dog too. Go back across the waters where you came from. [Touches

a vine to the river surface.]

POCAHONTAS

The ship.

JOHN SMITH

What about it?

GRANDMOTHER

Take it and leave here. “You call yourself Christian, yet you leave us with no food for

the winter. That Jesus guy would not be impressed.

JOHN SMITH

We aren’t going anywhere.

GRANDMOTHER

You are not a good man. None of you are. You have cause destruction and destroy beauty.

You will turn our beautiful lands into polluted streets and avenues.

JOHN SMITH

As Argall said, not without taking her.

VO: Ok, what’s happening here. Don’t give us privacy. No, no, no don’t kiss, don’t

kiss.

42

Ew! Once again, this DIDN’T happen. Gross! With all the horrible things I had to go

through – then I have to watch my story get appropriated into a ludicrous film where I

kiss an old white dude I didn’t even like. That’s the most perverse straw that ever did

break a moose’s back.

KOCOUM

Hey get away from her!

POCAHONTAS

[Gasp.] Careful, Kocoum!

VO: As I mentioned before, this fight never happened. We were all betrayed. Kocoum was

taken by surprise and didn’t even get a chance to fight like the true warrior he’d

always been.

[Kocoum attacks John.]

POCAHONTAS

John is dangerous! [Gasps.] Kocoum, watch out!

[MAN 3 loads his gun.]

MAN 3 (v.o.)

Two eyes peeled for killing.

[MAN 3 shoots. Kocoum falls.]

POCAHONTAS

[Gasp.]

VO: I wish I’d been there with him to say goodbye.

MAN 3

I did it.

POCAHONTAS

Murderer!

MAN 3

I finally did it!

POCAHONTAS

Leave me alone!

JOHN SMITH

Your husband is gone. One less to kill.

POCAHONTAS

You are all murderers!

NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIORS

[Shouting.]

JOHN SMITH

Way to go, MAN 3! Go kill more!

[MAN 3 exits. John is captured.]

VO: I never did get to see, touch or hold the body of my dead husband.

They stole everything from me, even the sacred right to say goodbye.

After all I’ve been through in their captivity, I suffered from depression and anxiety

– this was passed down through oral tradition and later registered in the book by Dr.

Custalow.

What I didn’t know is that things could get even worse.

[Cut to: Exterior, Powhatan village, night.]

POWHATAN

Who betrayed us?

NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIOR

This film indicates that Smith was responsible for Kocoum’s death, but that’s not true.

Still, John Smith betrayed us.

POWHATAN

In this version of the story, I sentence you to death. but in reality I never tried to

kill you.

POCAHONTAS

It's just not fair!

POWHATAN

Please, be careful, my daughter. I am worried about you. I want to protect you.

POCAHONTAS

I wish I could have saved Kocoum.

POWHATAN

You have done so much already. One thing they got right in all stories is that you were

a brave woman who helped her people. [Exits.]

POCAHONTAS

I wish they would have never come.

NAKOMA

Matoaka, sending warriors to protect our people was the right thing.

I’ve always worried about you.

I wish I could save you.

POCAHONTAS

Now I’ll never be with my husband again… I wish they had never come.

NAKOMA

Me too.

[Cut to: Exterior, the prison tent, Powhatan village.]

NAKOMA

John Smith’s role as a werowance has taken a terrible turn.

NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIOR

No kidding.

[Pocahontas enters tent.]

VO: And there’s that too. I never went to see John Smith when he was in my village. His

life was never threatened. And, I didn’t care about him anyway.

JOHN SMITH

Little Native girl!

POCAHONTAS

You’re a horrible man.

JOHN SMITH

But now I’m here. I’ll be famous at court. It’s going to make for a great story.

POCAHONTAS

You mean about you guys robbing us and killing us?

JOHN SMITH

I’m going to make false claims that your father wanted to kill me and that you wanted

to save me.

[Nakoma looks into the tent.]

NAKOMA

that’s it Let’s go.

POCAHONTAS

I would never save you.

JOHN SMITH

You’ll be long gone and Your story will be told the way I want it to – forever.

[Pocahontas exits.]

VO:

I never snuck away to save John Smith or warn anyone of potential attacks. I only

traveled to Jamestown with others from my village.

Jamestown was 12 miles from where I lived, and across large bodies of water.

[Cut to: Exterior, Jamestown settlement, night.]

MAN 3

Hey! Everyone, listen! Hello! Anyone!

MAN 1

Whoa there. What’s the problem?

MAN 3

John Smith is with them!

MAN 2

With who?

MAN 3

The Natives!

ENGLISHMAN

Why?

MAN 3

I’m perpetuating his lies!

MAN 2

Oh, like saying they’re gonna kill him?

MAN 3

Yes - that!

MAN 1

And that Pocahontas loves him?

MAN 3

Yeah and that’s why she wants to save him.

MAN 2

But she’s a child!

RATCLIFFE

This is perfect. Rewrite a story of kidnap, rape and of course turn it into a romance.

MAN 3

Let’s all believe the lies, and cause further harm to the Natives.

MAN 2

it’ll take generations for them to ever sort out the facts!

RATCLIFFE

What’s better than wiping out peaceful people or at the very least forcing them out of

their homes? We, colonizers, get to tell the story the way we want! we’ll be the ones

to write the history books! We won’t take it back.

[climatic music starts to play in bg]

VO: Here comes the part of the film that every person, young and old, will chant – and

taunt other natives with for generations to come.

The part where the word “savage” becomes a delicious word in their mouth.

ENGLISHMEN (chanting)

They are… Savages, savages

VO: A word that ignorant people thoughtlessly throw around and racists maliciously hurl

at my people.

Did they never consider that young children would be called “savages” just because of

their background?

Did they not see how this song creates a further divide?

An entire generation of First Nations have had to endure this to this day.

[Transition to: Exterior, Powhatan village, night.]

[native original and climatic song plays]

VO: During my captivity, their colony was failing and becoming unsustainable.

The Englishmen were under deadline to become profitable or they would lose support from

England.

That would mean, no more invaders.

That would mean… peace. [cut to huge bonfire]

Here you see images of preparation for war.

For us, it was only a way to survive.

Meanwhile, they were perpetuating another wild and uncivilized series of actions. With

me.

The colonists pressured me to be “more civilized”, dressed me up in uncomfortable clothes.

And then forced me to “convert” to Christianity.

They even imposed on me a new name: Rebecca.

Not to mention, I was forced into a marriage with one of their own.

They did their best to erase my identity back then, and chipped away at it over and over.

I weep when I see this. Not just for me and my people.

But for the generations to come. These colonizers pillaged, kidnapped, raped, stole,

and murdered my people and they did everything they could to wipe out our culture.

[Cut to: Exterior, Grandmother’s glen, early morning.]

POCAHONTAS

What do I do after being kidnapped, Grandma? I want to die.

GRANDMOTHER

But you have a baby with Kocoum.

POCAHONTAS

I know.

GRANDMOTHER

This is a nightmare come true.

POCAHONTAS

Yes, and I will be held in Jamestown and later moved to Henrico when I get pregnant

after being raped.

[RACOON gives her John’s compass.]

POCAHONTAS

Their objects? An arrow that spins!

GRANDMOTHER

I wish there was a way to stop this.

POCAHONTAS

There’s no way to stop this - They will force me to be like them. Erasure!

GRANDMOTHER

They will tell you your father did not love you because he didn’t come rand escue you -

but he was afraid they’d hurt you and our people!

[Transition to: Exterior, the English marching, morning.]

[native climatic song plays in bg]

VO: And that actually happened. I was forced into marrying a white man - John Rolfe,

a person who was held responsible for the existence of the colony. Rolfe thought it

would give him more leeway to control my people: this gave him support for more land

and more forced manual labor.

My father did not attend the “ceremony” as he could be captured or killed. But still he

sent me a gift, a strand of pearls.

Yet people tried to hint that he didn’t care for me.

After John Rolfe married me, my people had to share with him the curing practice of

tobacco leaves.

Eventually the “settlement” proved to be profitable with tobacco production. This

means… more land was stolen and,,, more Natives became enslaved.

VO:

Soon, I was pregnant with John Rolfe’s son – and still couldn’t see my Little Kocoum

baby.

The fear, rage and thirst for blood in this moment is accurate.

But the whole story of John Smith being sentenced to death and me rescuing him is

completely fabricated. It was created by John Smith long after I was murdered.

POCAHONTAS

Stop!

POCAHONTAS

I promise This never happened!

POWHATAN

Yet he poses as a gallant hero.

POCAHONTAS

I know. Seeing this breaks my heart. I wish it was this easy. I wish I could have

stopped the genocide of my people. But here we are. 400 years later. I was the first

documented Missing and Murdered Indigenous woman, and people still think my life was a

fantasy.

VO: This story of erasure has happened to many other Native Women. Our collective story

is still present with us. But there’s still so much to uncover.

The forced Indian residential schools, and the babies ripped from their mothers’ arms50

all under the guise of saving the “savage”. How could they do this? It’s dehumanizing.

It is horrific.

POWHATAN

Where is the justice for my daughter? What will it take for people to listen to her?

What will it take for people to listen to Indigenous voices? When will our stories be

told correctly? It is long overdue. Now you must listen carefully. Now you must know.

Do not let her death be in vain.

VO: It saddens me that generations have seen this story thinking, “Wow, what they

really needed was true love”. I had true love. He was murdered.

[Cut to: The English watching.]

RATCLIFFE

Let’s shoot the Natives NOW!

MAN 3

Why!?

RATCLIFFE

Huh?

MAN 3

They’re not killing him!

MAN 2

‘Cause this is all made up!

RATCLIFFE

Yes, but we have to keep up the lie!

RATCLIFFE

To make the Natives look bad!

JOHN SMITH (yells)

No! Let me be the hero!

[Jumps in the way.]

MAN 3

Smith! A gallant hero!

RATCLIFFE

The story wouldn’t be complete without white saviorism!

MAN 2

Well, that’s certainly true!

MAN 1

We just want the story told our way.

MAN 2

Let’s all pretend to be heroes!

RATCLIFFE

And Im the only villain!

MAN 3

“Not all colonizers are bad”, right?

RATCLIFFE

Keep it up- they’ll probably believe it!

MAN 3

Now it’s my time to shine.

[Cut to: Exterior, the shore, day.]

VO: In fact he was never shot – he fell asleep In his boat and injured himself with gun

powder that’s why he got sent home

MAN 2

Did they fall for it?

MAN 3

Yes - let’s make sure no one tells the real story.

MAN 1

Let’s even make a movie about it.

MAN 3

lies for decades to come.

MAN 2

you could say Everyone will believe the stories of a white man.

[Cut to: Ratcliffe, bound and gagged.]

RATCLIFFE

(muffled) This is perfect! Now we will never be held responsible for our actions!

WIGGINS

Here’s a fake tear to show I care.

[Cut to: MAN 3 and John.]

MAN 3

I can’t wait to read your book that was released in 1624 making all these false claims.

JOHN SMITH

Shh. Don’t tell anyone yet. Lies for later.

MAN 3

Alright.

[Pocahontas arrives.]

VO: In reality, I wasn’t there. I was paraded like an animal around England to suggest

a supposed friendship between Natives and colonists.

This entire circus was essential for them to keep getting financial support for their

genocide.

My entire sense of self was erased and taken from me. I was misplaced, forced into an

identity that wasn’t mine. I was alone and sad, so sad.

MAN 3

He will lie about you and everything that was done here.

POCAHONTAS

Someone one day will tell the truth. Someone will tell my story.

JOHN SMITH

Good luck with that. I’ll make sure to release false information long after you’re

dead.

POWHATAN

I wanted to rescue matoaka, but they could hurt her. Or hurt my people.

JOHN SMITH

And she was killed anyway.

[RACOON, Percy and Flit present Pocahontas’ fixed necklace.]

POCAHONTAS

The real story will be told.

JOHN SMITH

Another item for me to appropriate.

JOHN SMITH

[To Pocahontas] Enough damage yet?

POWHATAN

to protect you I have done everything

POCAHONTAS

I wish I could have stayed here.

JOHN SMITH

Everybody loves a wounded hero.

POCAHONTAS

You wounded yourself by gunpowder in your canoe.

JOHN SMITH

But will it even matter?

POCAHONTAS

Yes. I am the first documented Missing and Murdered Indigenous woman. My death will not

be in vain. And generations after me will begin to heal.

VO: I did not kiss, love, or save this man. But now you know the truth. I was just

under 21 years old when I was killed on another continent. Some people say I was

poisoned. Some historians indicate I was killed in a different fashion.

Right after my death, all the natives that had accompanied me were sold as servants… or

as carnival attractions… Or forced into slavery.

I could never fulfill my dream to return to my land, to my people, to my freedom.

The colonists buried me in England, in an unknown place. After I died, the English men

didn’t take my corpse back to be with my family, where I belonged – even though the

tribes back home requested my remains for repatriation.

This is just one story of hundreds of thousands that happened to my people throughout

this ongoing genocide. They tried to erase our lives and our narratives. But we are

still here.

And now you know the truth… spread this knowledge. Listen to Indigenous Voices and

allow my people and my land to heal. I am Matoaka. And this is my story.

[The Susan Constant sails off as Pocahontas watches.]

THE END

According to Amnesty International, sexual stereotypes continue to be a major factor in violent attacks towards Indigenous Women and Girls. Indigenous Women are 16x more likely to be murdered or go missing than any other group, and 4 out of 5 Indigenous Women will experience violence in their lifetime. To bring truth, one must first look to where there are lies. Where are the places in culture where there is misrepresentation? Answer? Disney’s Pocahontas is based on false narratives, as well as the harmful, sexualized “Indian Princess” stereotype, and watched time and time again by countless people around the world, including children. To answer this call and fight the sexualized stereotype, our strategy was simple: tell the real story of Pocahontas - not a Hollywood depiction - in a way that corrects its harmful stereotypes and inaccuracies, and in a big way that brings much-needed attention to its truth.

Missing Matoaka received national mainstream coverage and was featured on primetime media across Canada along with several US and International news outlets, reaching over 114 million within the first week alone. This number not only represents impressions, but the powerful impact that comes with understanding the truth after centuries of lies. Most importantly, Chiefs of Ontario, The Indigenous Women’s Council, and educators across the continent have reached out for permission to share Missing Matoaka with their communities and students to use as a teaching tool to perpetuate the truth amongst a generation that can help change the future for Indigenous Women and Girls.

That said, our work is not done. We will continue to extend the reach of this powerful project to ensure that these necessary truths are heard. We encourage you to play this alternative track with the movie and feel its immediate impact for yourself.

Our project is innovative in both its simplicity and complexity. The simple, yet innovative way to experience it is to play Disney’s Pocahontas on mute and line up our alternative audio track when you see the Disney logo. Then sit back, watch, listen and learn as our version of Pocahontas plays perfectly with what is on screen – syllable by syllable. A classic technique done in a modern way. Traditional Indigenous knowledge transfer was never written. It was always done orally, through storytelling. In our case, the same is true. The medium is the message. This is where it gets complex. We rewrote and rebuilt an entire film’s worth of audio! Combined, the simple technique of muting the original and playing our audio feels nothing short of magic. An innovative way to correct one of the most damaging and sexualized stereotypes from the magic kingdom.

Canada’s colonial past and present is one of the worst in the world. For much of colonial history, Indigenous women have been portrayed as more sexually available and less worthy than their non-Indigenous counterparts. This representation is not only false and demeaning, it has manifested itself into some chilling real-world statistics: Indigenous women in Canada are 16x more likely to be murdered or go missing than any other demographic group, and 4 out of 5 Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetime. We responded to The Canadian Government’s National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls which delivered 231 Calls for Justice, including the task to “take proactive steps to breakdown the stereotypes that hypersexualize and demean Indigenous women, girls” The initiative was launched on National Indigenous Peoples Day with Muskrat Magazine and encouraged Canadians to “experience the true story of Pocahontas at MissingMatoaka.ca”.