I checked out a couple of the other websites listed in Module 3, but I found myself revisiting this particular site time and time again. There was and still is so much to learn from this site. I found the AIFI Tribal Touring Program that was developed in 2001 to be amazing. The program works with at risk and hard to reach Native Americans by allowing them to experience technology and work with different types of media tools. In addition, the technology and media tools are to be utilized in such a manner that allows the youth to portray how they feel in regards to their own lives. The training that they receive can actually be used to help these youngsters find jobs and careers within the media or technology field.
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2012 Tribal Touring Program, Lummi Nation
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The American Indian film festival that takes place in San Francisco annually is definitely an event that I hope to attend at some point in my lifetime, even if I have to travel from one side of the country to the other. The films that are played depict different concepts and ideas associated with Native Americans, exploring such topics as stereotypes that still exist, the healing of wounds from what the white man has done, the manner in which the Native Americans have persevered, and the fact that they have still found a way to shine through it all. I feel riveted and inspired by the words used to describe the films, I can only imagine the emotions that I will feel once I actually attend the festival.
The poster collection on the site is also really neat as it takes the shape of a quilt with square and rectangular shapes of artwork. You can take a look at and compare and contrast works created as far back as 1975 and as modern as 2004. It is really interesting to see how different Native Americans portray their culture in artistic form.
The poster collection on the site is also really neat as it takes the shape of a quilt with square and rectangular shapes of artwork. You can take a look at and compare and contrast works created as far back as 1975 and as modern as 2004. It is really interesting to see how different Native Americans portray their culture in artistic form.
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| Roger Fernandes (1975), John Garlow (1977), Wible/Rampton Advertising (1978), Fritz Scholder (1979), Fritz Scholder (1980), Roger Fernandes (1981), Will Sampson (1982), Mike Dixon (1983), Harry Fonseca (1984), Harry Fonseca (1985), Rance Hood (1986), Rance Hood (1987), T.C. Cannon (1988), Rance Hood (1989), RC Gorman (1990), George Littlechild (1991), Frank Howell (1992), Frank Howell (1992), Rance Hood (1993), Ron Toahani Jackson (1994), John Balloue (1995), Michael Horse (1996), Michael Horse (1997), Kevin Red star (1998), Kevin Red star (1999), Noah Billie (2000), Brian Larney (2001), Brian Larney (2002), Michael Horse (2003), Rabbit Strickland (2004), Rebecca Burns (2005), Rabbit Strickland (2006), Rebecca Burns (2007), Kevin Red star (2008), Terrance Guardipee (2009), Terrance Guardipee (2010), Bunky Echo-Hawk (2011), Bunky Echo-Hawk (2012), Steven Paul Judd (2013), Steven Paul Judd (2014), Steven Paul Judd (2015) |
This is a very good and educational post. I love native american films, specifically because i love the way native americans express their creative voice. I also think films are a great way to learn more about who naties are since they give us a visual representation that allows to understand their emotions and perspectives better. I just recently saw the Oscar nominated film "Embrace the Serpent" it's about natives in South America and the search for a healing plant. Amazing film . If you have a chance go see it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the movie recommendation, I'll have to look into it :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that this American Indian Film Institute existed. The Institute and the website are great resources and foster greater understanding of Native American traditions and culture. It was also helpful in instilling a clearer understanding of some of the more contemporary issues faced by Native Americans, which was the focus of our scholarly project in module three. It was interesting to learn that according to the AIFI Website, the American Indian Film Festival is the worlds oldest exposition dedicated to Native Americans in cinema.
ReplyDeleteAIFI's goals involve bringing the broader media culture the Native voices, viewpoints and stories historically excluded from mainstream media; 2) to develop Indian and non-Indian audiences for this work; and 3) to advocate for authentic media representations of Indians. I found this very encouraging and a means to help better inform non-Native viewpoints regarding our Native American brothers and sisters. Native American talent is not as widely recognized on the big screen, and hopefully, through initiatives such as those at AIFI, this will start to change.
Thanks for mentioning this site, it was very enlightening.
References:
American Indian Film Institute website. Accesses at http://www.aifisf.com/about/. accessed on 02 April, 2016.
Great information. I too had no idea that the American Indian Film Institute existed. Neither was I familiar with the movie "Embrace the Serpent". I plan on tying to view it. I hope these films get more public exposure. I think this medium is a perfect way to reach the American public regarding Native culture. Americans tend to be very focused on pop culture and assimilate a lot knowledge in this manner. This is a great way to reach the vast majority of the public, rather than smaller academic circles.
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