The Electric Indian

Director Statement

Han Mitakuye (Hello Relative), My name is Leya Hale, and I come from the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Diné Nations. I grew up with a passion for dancing (Powwows) and playing sports throughout my life, which has helped nourish my body, mind, and spirit. I am grateful to be able to pass that passion on to my children.

As an Indigenous person, I believe in the power of movement and see it as medicine embedded within our tribal belief systems. It lives and thrives within our traditional dances, harvests, races, and even our ball games. This power of movement and its teachings of respect and humility has crossed over into modern day sports that Indigenous people participate in.

As a Dakota and Diné storyteller, I am blessed to receive opportunities to produce work that aligns with my core values. For the past decade, I have worked as a documentary film producer for Twin Cities PBS. In 2018, I was asked by Mr. Henry Boucha (a former National Hockey League Player, a U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist, and member of the Ojibwe Nation) if I could help him produce the first documentary in his Native American Olympian Film Series project. The first film would feature Henry’s life and outstanding hockey career. I was truly honored as I accepted Henry’s traditional tobacco (a traditional/spiritual offering when asking for another’s help).

Five years later, our Twin Cities PBS production team and funders – Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Vision Maker Media, and the Manitou Foundation – are proud to present The Electric Indian, a one-hour documentary that follows the hockey legend Henry Boucha from his journey of early stardom, to crushing defeat, and on to healing.

Not only did Henry exemplify the power of movement through his love of playing hockey, but he demonstrated many other positive characteristics of sport which includes comradeship, respect, humility, and giving back to one’s community. It has been a great privilege to help share Henry’s story.

Pidamayaye/Miigwech to Henry, the Boucha family, and the Warroad community for entrusting me to tell this important uplifting story to ignite the power of movement within all of us.