Hollywood Movies Indian Style

photography by: Marilyn Angel Wynn

As part of my business of Indian Country travel and photography, I'm always in search of historic and contemporary films for entertainment that are primarily based on tribal cultures. Most of the stories are drama based but you will find some genuine Indian humor scattered throughout a couple of scripts. Here's a list I made up of 16 movies (Hollywood-style) that, to various extents, present Native Americans where the script content is realistic and somewhat accurate. They range from feature films where the narrative genre involves reservation life today, historic periods, specific events and includes documentary films. These are movies that I've personally watched and feel that they all, on the most part, provide a respectful image of Native Americans and other Indigenous cultures around the world. This list is in no special order. Many of these films are available at BlockBusters.com where you can view detailed information on each film, such as actors, directors, etc. Sometimes an included plot summary is provided. Suggestions to include other films are welcome.

MOVIES:

• Whale Rider
• Rabbit Proof Fence
• A Man Called Horse
• Last Of The Mohicans
• The Last Of His Tribe: Ishi
• Skins
• Dreamkeeper
• Wardance
• Thief of Time
• Water
• Little Big Man
• Dances With Wolves
• Edge Of America
• Smoke Signals
• End Of The Spear
• Pow Wow Highway

YouTube - "I Support NATV"

YouTube - "I Support NATV"

Native Americans Participate in Obama's Inauguration

Indian participation in Obama’s inauguration takes shape

Photography by: Marilyn Angel Wynn
More pictures at: Nativestock Pictures

The UTTC (United Tribes Technical College) delegation will join a total of 10 American Indian and Alaska Native groups that have been announced so far to appear in the inaugural parade. The parade is one of many inauguration-related activities that will happen Jan. 20 after Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden are sworn in to their new positions. American Indian groups and individuals also plan to have their own inaugural ball and pow wow in Washington, during which they hope to see an appearance by Obama himself.

“I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the inaugural parade,” the incoming president said in a statement. “These organizations embody the best of our nation’s history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade.”

Indigenous groups scheduled to march include members of the Crow Nation of Montana, veteran members of the

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the Suurimmanitchuat Eskimo dance group, and members of the Coeur d’Alene and Nez Perce Tribes. The UTTC delegation will feature members from five more tribes, including the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, the Spirit Lake Tribe, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. UTTC’s participants will include employees and students who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as singers and dancers using traditional hoop drums. David Gipp, president of the institution, also plans to take part in the historic event. He gave an address focused on tribal colleges and Indian issues at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Presidential Inaugural Committee officials said that invitations were extended to the Native groups in keeping with a

commitment to hold inaugural events that celebrate the country’s common values and reflect the diversity and history of the nation.

Longfeather, who served in Operation Desert Storm, is not only coordinating UTTC’s participation, he’s also going to be in the parade. “I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around all this,” said Longfeather, who is looking forward to seeing progress on Indian issues under Obama’s leadership. “It’s just such an honor.”

Robert Old Horn, executive assistant to the Crow Nation Chairman Carl Venne, said that tribal members had long been interested in being part of the parade, especially after the Crow’s adopted Obama into the tribe when he visited the reservation on May 19. During that campaign visit, he was given a Crow name, which translates to “One who helps people throughout the land.” Members of the family that adopted Obama were special guests of his at the DNC. Old Horn said that Crow Nation parade participants will ride painted horses single file, while wearing special traditional regalia. “We want to celebrate and support not only the President of the United States of America, but also celebrate with one of our own,” Old Horn said. “We feel very humbled, but also proud that we will be able to come forward with our support.” “The chairman would like to take everybody he can,” Old Horn added. “But we can only take so many, and that’s the hard part.” Twenty-four members are currently scheduled to be part of the Crow contingent.

The Oneida Nation Veterans Color Guard of Wisconsin, which hosted members of the Medal of Honor Association in 2007, plans to feature a five-person group of veteran members marching in the parade. “We’re looking forward to this,” Kerry Metoxen, director of the Oneida Nation veterans department, told local media outlets after learning of the tribe’s invitation to march. “This is great news.”

The parade is open to the public, and will take place down Pennsylvania Avenue following Obama’s swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol. Tickets are not required to attend the celebration, which will also be televised. More information about attending is available at http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/InaugParade.htm.

An Inheritance Of Arrowheads

A Purpose in Life...To Photograph Tribal Nations

It all began when I inherited a few ancient stone tools and arrowheads. That was when the moment when I dreamed up this awesome career, at least for me anyway. This self-created job description was to "specialize and photograph American Indian culture's for the who's who in publishing".

Now after several years of travel to document Native America, reading hundreds of books and speaking with a variety of tribal elders, I dreamed of another project. Through much research, I came across many inspirational speeches from tribal members past and present who eloquently spoke of their spiritual philosophy on living.

In fact, this obsession with photographing American Indian tribes and to read their leaders quotes, inspired me so deeply that I set out to self-published a book. Titled 'Voice of the Spirit: Words of Wisdom From Indian Country USA' this photo book was designed to include my own personal selection of 100 of my favorite photographs I've had the honor to capture along with snippets of meaningful quotes so eloquently spoken by Native people recorded throughout post-contact.

Here is a small sample of photographs and exerpts from my book 'Voice of the Spirit'.

"Knowledge is inherent in all things. The world is a library" -Chief Standing Bear

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing" -Uncheedah

"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself" -Chief Seattle

NEW YEARS '09 GOAL #1

©Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock.com

Friends of Native America Group members list has surprisingly grown in the last few months. A big THANK YOU to all of you and your caring. This group is for people of tribal heritage and for those who are passionate to learn about Native American culture. We are here to network together to help protect sacred sites, promote economic development and recommend travel destinations throughout Indian Country through photography and stories. My big goal this year is to keep you members up-to-date on tribal culture, people and up-coming events. This will enable all of us to help out in some way or another, small or large. Through our networking, donations to coat drives, food drives, emergency aid, voluntary contributions or even just your time to write the odd letter are all very helpful. If any of you hear of any specific news from Indian Country that may be of interest to other members then I invite you to leave a comment. May our networking through Friends of Native America bring us all new and exciting opportunities for 2009. Kindly share any meaningful goals that you are hoping to achieve this year.