Public Education & Information
AAIA Launches New E-Newsletter
February 12, 2010
On February 10th AAIA sent it's first e-newsletter. E-newsletters will give us the ability to communicate with our supporters and others interested in our work inexpensively and quickly. Keeping them informed of activities and accomplishments relating to each of our programs and providing information about other issues affecting Native Americans that may be of interest. We will also post information about AAIA events taking place throughout the year. We hope that this will be an interactive tool and invite readers to submit comments, ideas and questions by replying to the e-mail. Subscription to the e-newsletter is free. Anyone who would like to be added to the distribution list please send your e-mail address and request to aaia.enews@verizon.net.
AAIA's Native American Short Film Showcase to be Shown in Sedona, Arizona June 5, 2010
As may you know, in recent years AAIA has put on a Native American Short Film Showcase each year in conjunction with our Annual Meeting of the Members in New York City. This year our event was held and co-sponsored by the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and featured 8 short films produced and directed by Native American filmmakers.
AAIA was recently contacted by the Arizona Archeological Society Verde Valley Chapter in regards to showing the films at the Festival of Native American Culture. The film portion of the festival is being organized by the Sedona International Film Festival and sponsored by the Salt River Materials Group.
Tickets for the event are $9 each with a portion of the proceeds going toward AAIA's Scholarship Program. Additional events are scheduled for June 5 and 6. See www.nafestival.com/films.htm for more information.
AAIA Native American Short Film Festival/Showcase
For the past 5 years, AAIA has been proud to presented short film festivals or showcases in New York City in conjunction with our Annual Meeting of the Members. This event showcases the talent of Native American filmmakers whose films cover a range of contemporary Native topics. For the past 4 years, this well received event has been coordinated by Raquel Chapa (Lipan Apache/Yaqui/Cherokee) and held at venues such as New York University's Cantor Film Center, The New School, and The National Museum of the American Indian.
The following is a sampling of the films shown.
Little Red Riding Hood: A Dakotah Language Puppet Show,
A Production of the Association on American Indian Affairs Native Language Program
Kinnaq Nigaqtuqtuaq (The Snaring Madman), Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, Inupiaq, NYU Film Student
Home, Dustinn Craig, White Mountain Apache
Kawdan’s Song by Annabel Wong (Salt River Pima) The story of a young mother from the Salt River-Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona who goes to New York City for a violin audition. Lead actress Laura Ortman (White Mountain Apache) also composed the score.
Half of Anything by Jonathan Tomhave (Hidatsa/Prairie Band Potawatomi/ Hocak)
Responding to "What is a real Indian?" four interview subjects—including John Trudell and Sherman Alexie—share their various perspectives.
Indians for Indians: A Radio Program by Ava Hamilton (Arapaho) In a profile of the oldest continuous Native radio program in the United States, based in Oklahoma, two of the producers share their experiences.
Ancestor Eyes, directorial debut by award winning screenwriter Kalani Queypo (Blackfeet/Hawaiian). After getting sick, a young Native American woman, Willa, returns to her mother's home where they both must come to terms with her illness. Willa's mother, who had been a long time 'shut in' begins venturig outside with her camcorder, taping the sunrise and mountains, bringing the outside world in to the bedridden Willa.
In Horse You See Ross, by Melissa A. Henry (Navajo), explains the very essence of being a horse.
American Cowboys, written, produced and directed by Cedric (Umatilla) & Tania Wildbill, excerpt, about the first Native American to be inducted to Pendleton Roundup. Narrated by William Hurt.
Preview Comanche Boy Trailer and excerpt by Thomas Yeahpau (Comanche)AAIA first ever webisode - following Native American boxer, George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah, through a few boxing matches that lead up to his undefeated 17-0 professional boxing record.
Magic Wand by Elizabeth Day (Anishinabe), A grandmother tells her granddaughter a story in Ojibwe revealing why the ricing sticks are “magic wands”.
Open Season by Raquel Chapa (Lipan Apache/Eastern Band Cherokee/ Yaqui), An account of the high rate of sexual assault among Native Women and the work that The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women in Albuquerque is doing to stem the tide of violence.
Honoring the Work of The Kennedy's Commitment to Indian Education
November 3, 2009
On November 3, 2009, a reception was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to honor Senators Robert and Ted Kennedy for their lifelong commitment to Indian Education on the 40th Anniversary of the release of the Kennedy Report on Indian Education. That report was the catalyst for the enactment of laws such as the Indian Education Act which have increased tribal control over the education of their children.
The event was sponsored by Three Affiliated Tribes, United South and Eastern Tribes and The National Alliance to Save Native Languages and co-sponsored by the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), Rosebud Sioux Tribe, National Indian Gaming Association, National Indian Head Start Directors Association, National Indian School Board Association, National Indian Education Association, Tribal Educational Departments National Assembly, National Johnson O'Malley Association and the Native American Rights Fund. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK) and Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), John Lewis (D-GA) and Tom Cole (R, OK) all paid tribute to Senator Kennedy and spoke about the continuing need to support efforts to improve Indian education. Other distinguished speakers included Ryan Wilson (Lakota, President, Alliance to Save Native Languages), Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw, President, National Congress of American Indians), John Echohawk (Pawnee, Executive Director, Native American Rights Fund and Board Member, Association on American Indian Affairs), Lillian Sparks (Lakota, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association), Patsy Whitefoot (Yakima Nation, President, National Indian Education Association), Ernie Stevens, Jr. (Onieda of Wisconsin, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association) and Jack Trope (Association on American Indian Affairs), along with several others. The speakers emphasized that progress had been made in educating Indian students, but that there was still much to be done. Among the issues raised were the lower high school and college graduation rates of Indian students, the need to ensure culturally-relevant education, including the preservation of Native languages, and the importance of further legislation, including a proposed Tribal Sovereignty Education Act.
Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D, RI), son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, was presented with a Native headdress in honor of his father and uncle. The headdress will be given to the Kennedy Library where a Native American exhibit will be created.
