FESTIVAL SCHEDULE |
Saturday Nov 4 at 7:00 PM – FREE FESTIVAL FAMILY DAY!
(includes three films below)
At the Nick @ 10 a.m. -Free admission
Shorts by Native American Children:
"Searching"
A boy goes out looking for something he is missing in his heart. Shot at the beautiful Tulalip Indian Reservation in the winter of 2006.
"Rez Life"
"Rez Life" deals with the choices a boy must make when becoming a man. Martin Edwards and Nick Clark star in this story about the struggles and thoughts of a couple of friends who are growing up.
"Brother Bear 2"
"Brother Bear 2" focuses on Kenai, the man who was transformed into a bear, as he travels across the Pacific Northwest at the end of the ice age. During his adventures, his dreams of his previous life continue to trouble him. When he was a human child, he became friends with Nita, the daughter of the elder of a neighboring tribe. The pair's past friendship collides with the present as Kenai and Nita must undertake an excursion together and resolve the lingering feelings they have for each other. Music by Melissa Etheridge.
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At the Columbia Museum of Art
Saturday 4from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
"Black Indians: An American Story"
This is the first in-depth documentary looking at the history and circumstances both historic and contemporary of America's Black Indians. The documentary covers a vast number of perspectives, interviewing Black Indians from New England, to Oklahoma, with input from scholars, and writers as well.
"Toledo District: Eco Park"
A look at the people of Southern Belize as they attempt to determine their own destiny by creating an eco-tourism venture that lets locals benefit from tourism. This short documentary is the voice of the people speaking out for Self-determination of their land and resources. Filmmaker Sufi Giza, resides in Columbia, SC.
"American Red & Black of Afro- Native Identity"
This intimate film follows six (6) Afro-Native Americans from around the United States as they reflect upon the personal and complex issues of Native and African American ancestry, ethnic identity and racism within communities of color. The Filmmaker, Alicia Woods, and the entire crew working on this film were Native American Indian.
"Mending the Circle"
This documentary was written & produced by Columbia resident
Will Moreau Goins, Ph.D. It recounts the history of South Carolina's indigenous people and focuses on the Tribal communities that have been striving for Self-determination and Sovereignty in the state of South Carolina. With interviews, visits to tribal community ceremonies and a review of South Carolina's history this informational based, industrial video, explains the current situation and issues that face the Native American Indian people in South Carolina, today.
"The New Pequot"
The first struggle for dominance in the New World occurred in what is now southeastern Connecticut in 1637 between the English and the Pequot Indian nation, the most powerful and feared tribe in New England. In just a few years, the tribe would be nearly swept from the face of the earth, decimated by disease, defeated in battle, its leaders executed or put into slavery, many of its women and children massacred, its very name outlawed. Today, the Pequot name is often used by Connecticut businesses in reference to a people thought to be extinct. But in fact, this ancient nation is now reclaiming part of its empire and heritage. It is a small nation, but still a sovereign one whose borders and population are ever expanding. Today the 1600-acre reservation is home to more than 110 Indians and their families. It is a uniquely American story. It is the story of the new Pequot.
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At the Nickelodeon Theater
Saturday Nov 4 at 7:00 PM
"NO. 2"
Veteran actress Ruby Dee boldly leads a stellar ensemble cast. Nanna Maria dreams of her youth in the islands of Fiji with nostalgia, remembering sunny days filled with family and celebration. Her memories may be glowing, but Nanna's house, No. 2, is far from it these days. The front door was sealed in Fijian tradition after the death of her husband, and family members have sunk deeply into their daily lives in urban New Zealand, too busy to gather or share in a family moment. But Nanna Maria decides she wants a party thrown in traditional Fijian fashion, with roasted pig, kava, music, and laughter abounding, so she can name her successor as head of the family. The only problem is that some members of the family are too busy, many have never roasted a pig, and others simply aren't speaking to one another. Accomplished playwright Toa Fraser brings his stage play to life in his directorial debut with stylized storytelling and a camera that glides effortlessly through the peaks and valleys of the story. He gives us an effectively emotional portrait of a family trying to pull itself together as it's actually falling apart.
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Saturday Nov 4 at 9:00 PM
"Morning Song Way"
"Morning Song Way" is a drama about a little girl named Katy who witnesses a big time murder committed by her mother's boyfriend, a ruthless drug dealer. She is then placed for safety with her great uncle in the Appalachian Mountains. Her great uncle is an old time medicine man )played by Native American Blues guitarist Elvus Kishketon.) Katy knows little about country living or being Indian much less anything about Native American medicine. Her persistence in training revitalizes an entire tribal community and puts the meaning of life back into the heart of an old man. When the killer escapes from jail and comes after her, Katy again brings the people together. |
Sunday Nov 5 at 3:00 + 7:00 PM
(includes two films below)
Sunday, November 5
3:00 matinee - Environmental films
"Bayou Landfall"
The Filmmaker was awarded The 2006 Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian award for Bayou Landfall/The Houma Nation vs The Hurricanes for this film!
"Trespassing"
This compelling documentary shows the risks indigenous people and other environmentalists take to protect sacred Native American lands, the air, and the water from desecration by nuclear waste. It examines the deadly controversy around land rights, uranium mining, nuclear testing, and the disposal of nuclear waste in the Four Corners area, Nevada's Yucca Mountain, and California's Mojave Desert. Over nine years in the making, "Trespassing" is a feature-length documentary film that poetically examines our fight for survival. By focusing on the battle around nuclear storage in the United States, the film carefully unpacks a deadly controversy around land rights, uranium mining, nuclear testing and the disposal of nuclear waste.
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Wednesday Nov 5 at 7:00 PM
(includes three films below)
Films about Music with music video shorts including:
Red Hawk- "Why Can’t You Take Me As I Am?"
Winner at Red Earth Film Festival as Best Experimental Indian Producer, this video is currently airing in Canada on First Nations’ Music Program.
"SoundMix: Five Young Musicians"
"Soundmix: Five Young Musicians" tells many different kinds of stories; stories of American musical traditions, of American cultures and families, of mentors passing on traditions. By exploring the lives of young musicians in pursuit of their passions, "Soundmix" shows music as a powerful resource, shaping identity, bridging differences, and building hope. It features five teenage musicians with deep connections to distinct American musical traditions, including Hovia Edwards, a 19-year-old Shoshone flute player from Fort Hall, Idaho, one of the few Native American women playing the Plains flute.
8:00
"XIT: Without Reservation"
In 1970, XIT, a young American Indian rock band featuring 2000 Native American Grammy winner Tom Bee, burst upon the music scene. They carried a message of unity, hope, and truth to Indian people across America. Their lyrics brought to the surface the injustice that had been and continues to be inflicted upon Native America. On May 20th, 2000, they celebrated their 30th anniversary by giving a farewell concert at Mystic Lake Casino in Minnesota.
9:00
"La Tournee Soleil Levant"
In French with no subtitles
A musical road movie traveling on the roads of northern Québec, deep in the land and in the culture of the Innues, Attikamek and Wendat peoples (the First Nations and indigenous people of Canada). Rolling along with the band as we go from one village to another, the younger generations talk and sing to us. As we listen to them, we understand that their time is coming now. They are talented, strong and brave. A refreshing breeze, coming straight from the north.
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Monday Nov 6 at 7:00 PM
(includes two films below)
(7:00 screening is followed by Panel Discussion!)
"Indian County Diaries: A Seat at the Drum"
"A Seat at the Drum" looks at the imperfect process of assimilation of Native people into an urban American culture. Ojibwe writer Mark Anthony Rolo guides us through he history of the Indian relocation program of the 1950s and the lives of some of the 280,000 Indians living in Los Angeles.The film series goes inside modern Native American communities to reveal a diverse people working to revitalize their culture while improving the social, physical, and spiritual health of their people. Told with wonder, humor and insight, "Indian Country Diaries" is a must-see “State of the Union” report from modern Native America.
Panel Discussion
"Indian Country Diaries: Spiral of Fire"
"Spiral of Fire" explores the challenges faced by the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians on their reservation in North Carolina. Through the eyes of the Choctaw writer, Le Anne Howe, we see how tribal members are retaining their sense of identity and culture in the midst if America. These are the stories about today’s concerns of Native Americans including identity, assimilation, sovereignty, revitalizing Native cultures, preserving families, economic development and health.
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Tuesday Nov 7 at 6:30-9 PM
(includes three films below)
Films about Native American Culture
"Teaching of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller"
Teachings of the Tree People is a tribute to the life and work of Skokomish elder Gerald Bruce Miller (subiyay), a nationally prominent cultural leader and teacher who brought his talents home to lead a cultural renaissance in the Pacific Northwest. His story offers a powerful model of cultural and environmental stewardship.
"Welcome to Todos Santos"
This is a short documentary about the Feria Titular (Fiesta) and the Dia del Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the traditional Mam Mayan town of Todos Santos, Guatemala. The video features indigenous music and dances and an exploration of the meaning of the festival, which features a day-long horse race - from the point of view of the people of Todos Santos.
"The Four Directions" Niiwin Nikeyaanan and the Waganakising Odawa Four Directions offers a rich visual tapestry that draws the viewer into the center of the Odawa world. This superb documentary, narrated by tribal elders, makes the complex cycle of Anishnabe symbolism and cosmology of ancient tradition as well as modern practice. Fred Harrington (narrator) and members of The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa (Waganakising Odawa) explain the spiritual concepts behind the Medicine Circle and the "Four Directions." This informative film beautifully captures the season and the cultural activities of tribal members who reside in Waganakising (The land of the crooked tree) located in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
"Silent Thunder"
"Silent Thunder" is the heartwarming story of Stanford Addison: a Native American Elder, Spiritual Leader, Horse Tamer, and Quadriplegic. By means of his unique method of gentling wild horses, Stanford delivers a subtle yet timely message of triumph over hardship, universal peace, and cultural tolerance as he casually inspires viewers to seek spiritual consciousness and self-awareness through sharing the experiences of his own life. Stanford irrevocably teaches us that life is greater than it appears and our problems are not as big as they seem. |
Tuesday Nov 7 at 9:00 PM
"No. 2"
Veteran actress Ruby Dee boldly leads a stellar ensemble cast. Nanna Maria dreams of her youth in the islands of Fiji with nostalgia, remembering sunny days filled with family and celebration. Her memories may be glowing, but Nanna's house, No. 2, is far from it these days. The front door was sealed in Fijian tradition after the death of her husband, and family members have sunk deeply into their daily lives in urban New Zealand, too busy to gather or share in a family moment. But Nanna Maria decides she wants a party thrown in traditional Fijian fashion, with roasted pig, kava, music, and laughter abounding, so she can name her successor as head of the family. The only problem is that some members of the family are too busy, many have never roasted a pig, and others simply aren't speaking to one another. Accomplished playwright Toa Fraser brings his stage play to life in his directorial debut with stylized storytelling and a camera that glides effortlessly through the peaks and valleys of the story. He gives us an effectively emotional portrait of a family trying to pull itself together as it's actually falling apart.
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Panelists Include:
Special Acknowledgements
Major Festival Sponsor
The Nord Family Foundation
Special Thanks
Frank Blythe, Native American Public Telecommunications
Penny Costello, Vision Maker Video
Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and
United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc.
Board of Directors
&
The Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina, Inc.
Tribal Council & Enrolled Members
Pat Calliotte, News from Indian Country
Indian Country Today
Daniel Gibson, Native Peoples Magazine |
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