'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'
Monument Valley woman had role in 1949 movie

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

Clara Mae Johnson, 79, was in the 1949 movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" filmed in Monument Valley. In addition to her acting duties, Johnson also cleaned and cooked for the film crew. [Photo by Natasha Kaye Johnson/Independent]

MONUMENT VALLEY — Clara Mae Johnson, 79, was one of the first Navajos to be in a movie.

Johnson played an extra role in the 1949 western film "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and can be seen round dancing in one scene. The movie was directed by John Ford and starred John Wayne as Capt. Nathan Brittles. In the movie, Brittles deals with a series of attacks by the Apache and Arapaho after the defeat of Custer. Near his retirement, he takes it upon himself to try and make peace with a character named Chief Pony That Walks.

"I got paid $50 for the movie," said Johnson through an interpreter, while attending the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series on Saturday. Johnson, who was 21 when she starred in the movie, said she also cooked and cleaned on the set as part of her hiring. She also got to meet the famous John Wayne.

The film was second of Ford's trilogy of films that focused on the U.S. Calvary. It had a budget of $1.6 million and was one of the most expensive westerns of the time. It became a major hit and is still a popular classic today.

Since Ford first came to Monument Valley, the location has been the featured in 16 major movies and countless commercials. This past weekend, the backdrop of Monument Valley had the cameras attention again, this time for the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series. Monument Valley was only one of 12 locations in the whole world that the organization hand-picked to have as part of the racing series. Throughout Saturday's race, announcers continually expressed their awe of the red rocks. The international event was televised in 64 countries and will be aired on Fox Sports News later this summer.

And even though Monument Valley has remained a popular sight and is "8th Wonder of the World," the community has yet to fully benefit from the scenery of their backyard.

Mark Maryboy, former council delegate for Red Mesa, Aneth, and Mexican Hat, said that the community needs to create a board to deal with movie makers. In the past, he said, there were filmmakers who profited from Monument Valley.

"The local Navajos didn't really benefit from it," Maryboy said. "My recommendation is to take better control of everything."

Maryboy said the backdrop of Monument Valley will continue to be a sought out location for filming, which is all the more reason why a board of some sort should be created.

By forming a board, Maryboy said the community will be able to be more prepared when organizations or filmmakers express interest in wanting to come to Monument Valley, and will allow the community to benefit from outside companies use of the area.

Maryboy said that non-Navajos continue to dominate the areas businesses. With the exception of The View Restaurant and Store, which is Navajo owned, there are only small entrepreneurships, like catering or arts and crafts vendors that are run by Navajos, Maryboy said.

"Tour guides are dominated by non-Navajos," said Maryboy. "They (Navajo entrepreneurs) need to think big, in a global fashion. Monument Valley could easily be promoted internationally."

Maryboy said that along with Monument Valley, other locations on and near the Navajo Reservation need to be promoted so that tourists will be inclined to stay on the Navajo Nation longer.

"We don't have a system to draw these people," said Maryboy. "The time is right, right now, for Navajos to make that big step."