"Walk the High Iron," a documentary film about American Indians learning the iron workers' trade, is now available for use by Indian organizations from Bureau of Indian Affairs Area Offices.
The 28-minute film, which was cited for excellence at the 1975 Chicago International Film Festival, shows Indian trainees at a special school operated by the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers under a contract with the BIA.
The school at East Gary, Indiana, was started in 1972 as an approach to career development for Indians at least 31 years of age who might not be eligible for other apprenticeship opportunities because of age. In the four years of operation some 400 reservation Indians have learned ironworking through the l4-week course at the school.
Graduates of the course are placed in Iron Worker Locals across the country for further training as they work their way to a journeyman’s card.
Portions of the film were made at Ashland, Wisconsin and on the nearby Bad River Reservation.
The 16 mm color film was produced by the Film Documentary Institute of Washington, D.C. Mark Reardon was the writer and executive producer.
