Reel American Indian Film Festival at UWM Screens Indian Summer Festival Film & Video Award Winners

"In the Light of Reverence"

MILWAUKEE – The Reel American Indian Film Festival, with winning productions from the 2004 Indian Summer Festival Film and Video Image Awards, will be held 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, in the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Union Theatre, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. The event, sponsored by American Indian Student Services and the American Indian Student Association, is free and open to the public. For information, phone 414-229-5880.

The festival is part of American Indian Awareness Events at UWM in April. "Entrants to the awards program must have either American Indian subject matter or be artistically helmed by an American Indian," says Carol Cameron, Indian Summer Festival board member and co-creator of the Image Awards. "These awards are dedicated to the ‘Spirit of the American Indian,’ whether as the subject of a film or video, or as the filmmaker. Every year brings new awareness of issues faced by the Native community through the subject matter of the entries."

"Totem: The Return of the G’psgolox Pole"

For the judging, a team of experts, consumers, students, educators and film and video makers views the entries and determines winners of the highest honor, the Award of Excellence, and the winners of the Awards of Distinction. In addition, two Spirit Awards are presented. The Spirit Awards denote the "Best of the Best," and are given to a student filmmaker of a project with a Native American subject and to a Native American filmmaker.

The film & video awards are the result of a partnership between Indian Summer Festival, to be held Sept. 9-11 in 2005, and the UWM Office of American Indian Student Services. The Indian Summer Music Awards and the Film and Video Image Awards are presented at the same awards ceremony during Indian Summer Festival, with the ceremony sponsored and produced by Looking Glass Productions.

The program for the film festival follows.

"Waasa Inaabidaa – We Look In All Directions"
Ojibwe Oral Traditions (Part 6 of a 6-part series)
By Lorraine Norrgard and James Fortier, Minnesota, 57 min.

The purpose and magic of sound is the gift of language. It is a living thing, the spirit of the people. A strong oral tradition is key to passing down history through creation stories, ceremonies, and everyday life. Here, sovereignty and the preservation of the Anishinaabe Ojibwe language, which embodies their culture and philosophy, is communicated through the history of attacks to extinguish indigenous language and efforts to revitalize it. Winner of Award of Distinction and Spirit Award.

"Adrian Wall: Greet The Sun, An Artist’s Profile"
By Waseta Productions, New Mexico, 4 min.

A portrait of the indigenous artist at work, this story follows the creation of a sculpture from taking the alabaster out of the earth to the finished piece. To Adrian Wall, art is a way of life and a constant search for creativity. Drawing inspiration from his Pueblo culture, he creates both traditional and contemporary stone sculpture. A wonderful presentation of the artist’s inspiration and process from excavating stone to the warm beauty and fluid form of the finished work. Winner of Award of Distinction.

"The American Indian Center – 50 Years of Service"
By Tom Orland, Illinois, 12 min.

Chicago is home to nearly 30,000 American Indians of diverse tribes. This documentary of the American Indian Center celebrates 50 years of offering a safe haven for urban Indians. The AIC is shown providing basic needs and services as well as a sense of solidarity and community. The documentary weaves together music, footage from the annual Chicago pow-wow, and interviews with staff and founding members. A realistic and moving view of life for generations of "off-reservation" native people. Winner of Award of Distinction.

"The Oneida Speak"
By Michelle Danforth, Wisconsin, 12 min.

Interviews with tribal members and cultural heritage experts explore treaty rights and the emotional as well as political affects of the displacement of native people. Unique and rare collection of historical records, handwritten accounts and personal memories document the Oneidas, continued struggle with local officials on land rights. "The Oneida Speak" incorporates moving recollections of tribal members’ separation from their homes. Winner of Award of Distinction.

"In the Light of Reverence"
By Christopher McLeod, California, 75 min.

Three tribal communities demonstrate efforts to negotiate respect and responsibility in this articulate and moving examination of the desecration and loss of sacred places in Indian country. "In the Light of Reverence" documents the ongoing clash of material cultures and the native worldview of "holy land." Proponents of land exploration for mining, recreation, and federal rights are pitted against tribal people as caretakers of sacred burial grounds, medicinal sanctuaries, landscapes of power and prophecy – and the religious freedom of Indian people. Winner of Award of Excellence.

INTERMISSION

Two music videos will be presented. "Love Fades Away," 3 min. and "Revolution," 4 min.

"Crab"
By Darren Geffre, Producer: Waseta Products. 3 min.

Darren Geffre sings the praises of cultural pride and the strength of Indian women in this contemporary rock video. A rhythmic blend of music and visual imagery focuses on the struggle of identity, poverty, substance abuse and learning to "take the good with the bad" in accepting who you are and maintaining hope for the future. Winner of Music Video Award of Distinction.

"Totem: The Return of the G’psgolox Pole"
By Gil Cardinal, Canada, 70 min.

Totem highlights the history and artistry of the totem pole. A charming portrayal of the relationship between the artist and tribal youth in passing on the tradition. This video documentary also raises provocative questions about "ownership" and repatriation in the tug-of-war with international museums that cling to their vested interest in tribal objects that have sacred meaning for aboriginal people. Winner of Award of Distinction.

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