The Weiser Review: “Remaining Native” at the Yerington Movie House

Yerington NV – July 21, 2025            

 “Remaining Native”, an Impactful Movie                   

Review by Bob Weiser

Having attended the recent showing of the movie “Remaining Native” at the Yerington Movie House, a review of this movie suggests a balance between past, current and future considerations involving not only one individual and one Paiute family but also the  ancestors and current members of the local Paiute people. The past being represented in the body of a young Paiute boy who escaped the horror of the Stewart Indian School in Carson City and made his way back home to his family near Yerington, successful in his third attempt. Immediately, the film impressed this viewer as involving the spirit of the land, of respectful living within the boundaries of its resources and it brought to mind the healing spirit of Wovoka and the spirit of determination to reach one’s goal.

The film includes images of Ku Stevens and his family as he grew up in the Paiute culture in Yerington, his progression through learning how to win as a cross country runner in high school, of meeting a coach who steered him toward racing experiences that would attract universities with potential scholarships on their track team. It presented a collage of photos involving the Stewart Indian School and those children who were taken from their families and assimilated and how Ku’s great grandfather escaped from that facility, prompting Ku to organize the Remembrance Run from Yerington to Carson City in honor of his ancestor. That event has been held annually for several years; its finish is near the cemetery where the children were interred who died while at the school.

The showing of the film was followed by a question and answer session in which the audience was able to gain a sense of how this young man’s determination has influenced indigenous peoples in various countries to move forward to a greater sense of self value, self respect and self-determination; from a colonial past to a future where their spiritual and practical values can be honored and prized. The consideration of reparations is still significant and will likely not be resolved soon but it remains an issue that will be pressed as this next generation enters professional arenas as lawyers, teachers, ministers and politicians.

Respectful, sincere congratulations to this brave young man, Kutoven Stevens, his parents Delmar and Misty, and to Director Paige Bethmann and her very competent team.

Bob Weiser is a native of Texas and grew up on a farm near Giddings. Bob attended universities in Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois and Reno, Nevada, graduating with a Masters of Science degree in Secondary Education from University of Nevada, Reno while raising a family with his wife Betty and working in construction as a mason.

Mr. Weiser taught at UNR, TMCC (Truckee Meadows Community College), Galena High School and The Regional Technical Institute, retiring from teaching in 2003. He was a state licensed specialty contractor in masonry, completing many projects in Northern Nevada including Yerington after moving here from Sparks in 2004.

“Pastor Bob” was also a certified minister in the Methodist church, serving congregations in Yerington and Smith Valley until his retirement in 2019.

Other than writing as an art form, Bob enjoys singing with the Mason Valley Singers and has performed roles in “The Sound of Music” and “The Nutcracker” at the Jeanne Dini Theater.

Bob and Betty reside south of Yerington near the East Walker River on their micro farm of three acres, raising beef and veggies and keeping bees for honey while enjoying the peace and quiet in that area of Mason Valley.