2008 Cultural Focus: Urban Indians

Urban Indian Films

Urban Indian Films

Orcas Room, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

A series of films that illustrates and illuminates the lives of urban Indians. Curated by Tracy Rector, Longhouse Media.

noon-1:00
Maria Tallchief
By Sandy Osawa
Maria Tallchief began ballet lessons at age four in Fairfax, Oklahoma --an Osage Indian Community --and went on to stardom in roles created specifically for her by her husband and choreographer, George Balanchine.

1:00-2:00
Short films from Pacific Northwest Native youth
By Longhouse Media
Longhouse Media draws from traditional and modern forms of artistic expression, storytelling, teaching and inquiry, based in the technologies of today. Their primary program, Native Lens, teaches Native youth the skills necessary to tell their own stories!

2:00-3:00
Miss Navajo
By Billy Luther
Contestants must exhibit poise and grace as well as answer tough questions in Navajo and demonstrate proficiency in skills essential to daily tribal life: fry-bread making, rug weaving and sheep butchering.

3:00-4:00
The Films of Phil Lucas
A local filmmaking master, having worked in the film and television industry for over 30 years, Phil Lucas has left a legacy of groundbreaking films. Among his subjects are health and well-being in Native communities, Native rights, and Native arts.

4:00-5:00
March Point: A Work in Progress
By Longhouse Media
Cody, Nick and Travis, three teens from the Swinomish Tribe, were asked to investigate the impact of two oil refineries on their tribal community. March Point follows their journey as they come to understand themselves and the threat their people face.

5:00-6:30
Luna: Spirit of the Whale
By Don McBreaty
Inspired by a true Pacific Northwest story, Luna: Spirit of the Whale is about the distances we each must travel to discover our identity and place in life.

6:30-7:00
Half of Anything
By Jonathan Tomhave
Through interviews with Native artists, writers, and activists, Tomhave asks “What is an Indian?”