In this short film created for Independent Lens by filmmaker Mat Hames, we learn about the life of Eastern Shoshone tribal elder Philbert McLeod, one of the stars of Hames' Independent Lens documentary 'What Was Ours'. Philbert had an incredible breadth of knowledge about his tribe's history, and fought for America in Vietnam, for which he received the Purple Heart. He believed an old beaded charm passed down by an elder helped protect him when he was in combat. Sadly, Philbert passed away at 71, shortly after filming these interviews.