This Week in Native American News (12/7/18): Liquor store turned makerspace and other gift ideas
December 7, 2018
Former beer store in Whiteclay to become a 'makerspace' for artisans
The former Arrowhead Inn, a liquor store in Whiteclay, Nebraska, has been purchased to turn into a space for local artisans to work. WHITECLAY MAKERSPACE
Artisans may soon replace alcohol at one of the notorious — and now closed — beer stores in Whiteclay, Nebraska.
A nonprofit group recently purchased the former Arrowhead Inn beer store in Whiteclay and has plans to convert it into a “makerspace” where quilters, jewelry-makers and other artisans can produce items for sale.
The purchase was hailed a “first step” toward converting Whiteclay into a place known for “good,” as in creating jobs, rather than “bad,” as in fueling the alcoholism and alcohol-related problems on the adjacent and officially dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Read the Full Story Here
The 23rd RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival
Wayne Baker/ Indian Horse, Glenna Slater/ UmoNhoN Iye THE OMAHA SPEAKING. Ajuawak Kapashesit/Indian Horse, Brigitte Timmerman/ UmoNhoN Iye THE OMAHA SPEAKING. Photo courtesy: Headshots by Peggy
The 23rd RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival & Awards, presented by Film LA and Honest Engine Films, ran Nov. 5th through 16th and for the first time broadcast its RNCI Red Nation Award *Nominees* Live. Hosted by Ed Begley Jr., A Martinez and Joanelle Romero. RNCI Red Nation Awards Gala took place Nov. 16 at the Laemmle Fine Arts in Beverly Hills.
“We’re so proud to be a supporter of the Festival and all its activities that happen with it and our board has committed its resources to support emerging and underrepresented filmmakers and communities which is a particularly special group for us with the original peoples,” Board member of Red Nation Celebration Institute and President of Film LA the regional film office of L.A. County Paul Audley said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to tell the world about the history and contemporary life of Indigenous people and to tell stories that cross cultural boundaries helping to open doors to the creation of personal communications and a broader understanding of the world we live.”
“This years Festival theme is The Power of Inclusion, you might wonder why someone from a policy school is interested in supporting a film festival, the real power of democracy is in the people. Its works better when we know all the views, it works better when those views are discussed openly and transparently and that those elected officials are held accountable,” stated Aubrey Hicks USC School of Public Policy. “So the American dream is simple but our history has shown that we have not always lived up to our ideals. The bright side is that we can clearly do better, we can learn about our history, learn about all the different peoples that make up this country though film.”
Read the Full Story Here - THEN - Add the winning films to your “Must See” List
AAIA holds Fourth Annual Repatriation Conference
This Northern Cheyenne headdress was offered to sale to a Norwegian collector for $140,000. Photo Credit: Albuquerque Journal
The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) held its Fourth Annual Repatriation Conference themed “Advocating for Our Ancestors” on November 13-15 at the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe’s Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sponsored and hosted by the Forest County Band of Potawatomi Indians, the event convened 160 guests representing Tribal Nations, museums, federal agencies and foreign institutions from counties including Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Ned Daniels, Jr., Chairman of the Forest County Band of Potawatomi Indians, opened the conference on November 13, proclaiming to guests, “You are the revitalization of our people. While you are here, you are in ceremony. None of you are here by accident. Be here with an open mind, ready to take this back to your people.”
The Repatriation Conference is designed to share best practices, strategies, and practical tools for the successful repatriation of Indigenous Ancestors, their burial belongings, and sacred and cultural patrimony. The Conference provided panels regarding the Native America Graves Protection Act (NAGPRA) and included a panel of federal agencies and museum that discussed NAGPRA compliance and enforcement.
“The AAIA Repatriation Conference creates a strong community of practitioners, institutions and agencies who can support one another in bringing our Ancestors and their belongings home,” AAIA Executive Director Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw Nation) commented. “This community works diligently to fortify Tribal law and policy, strengthen NAGPRA, and defend tribal sovereignty in the context of repatriation and beyond.”
Read the Full Story Here
Today’s History Lesson
The National Archives and Records Administration has begun an effort to conserve and digitize 377 Native American treaties.
The project will add the treaties and supplemental records to the digital catalog, providing worldwide public access to them for the first time. The scanning project also includes accompanying papers to the treaties, the Presidential Proclamations, and the Resolutions of Ratification by Senate.
Christmas Gift Ideas that Support Native Peoples
What does it mean to be Native American? A new novel offers a bracing answer.
The story comes to us in short, intense chapters that focus on different members of a large cast of Indians around Oakland, Calif. Some of these people speak to us directly; others are described in the third person, forming a collection of diverse approaches.
Tommy Orange’s “There, There” reached #8 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Pendleton edition Nikes will be available in December.
This Nike PG 2.5 comes dressed in a Multi-Color and College Navy color combination. Looking closer they feature a Light Blue across the mesh upper while Navy lands on the mid-foot strap and Swoosh on the midsole. What sticks out the most is the Pendleton wool that wraps the heel and on the top of the tongue. Completing the look we have Native American inspired designs on the heel tabs which also goes perfectly with OKC’s City Edition jerseys.
Full disclosure: We are not aware of any benefit to Native peoples by purchasing Pendelton Nikes but they do look cool.
Sealaska Heritage Institute releases new Baby Raven Reads books
“The original Raven stories are complex, humorous and sometimes filled with raucous adventures. Raven stories are not about what is viewed as proper behavior, but what is not acceptable behavior,” Worl said. “Raven the Trickster is found in oral traditions throughout North America and elsewhere in the world and teaches people how to exist in society.” The books were adapted from the works of the late Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, who transcribed the stories from Elders’ oral accounts.
Support Local, LIVING Artists
The Association on American Indian Affairs urge collectors and auction-goers interested in purchasing American Indian “artifacts” and “antiquities” to exercise cautious due diligence. Rather, collectors interested in American Indian art should instead support contemporary American Indian artists and their creations made for the art market.
Need help? Search “Native American Artist” on Etsy (and do your research!)
Watch This: The Islands Official Teaser Trailer (coming to theaters in March 2019)
While you’re waiting for The Islands to come to your theater, check out some of these movies: 10 Films That Show How the U.S. Has Mistreated Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Today is your last chance to take part in our gift match. Click below!
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