Page 2 - December 2012

Student Films Premiere On International Stage Fourteen students from our was the awards part (The community saw their flms American Indian Motion Picture premiere on the silver screen Awards Show) because we got at the American Indian Film to watch all the actors flms, Festival in San Francisco. The then they choose the best one. trip was a continuation of Afterwards, we got to meet and their efforts from the summer ask questions and get to know when they participated in the the people we wanted to. Youth Development Program’s sponsored event with the Geo Jack: I enjoyed my time in American Indian Film Institute’s SF. It was a great experience. Tribal Touring Program. The It was my frst time fying. students were put on the spot We got to go to a couple of quickly, as the frst morning cool premieres, watch other they found themselves at Pier people’s flms, and met with 39’s Bay Theater screening their Chehalis tribal youth travelled to San Francisco to see their premiere on lots of cool people. I thought flms. Along with the student the silver screen at the American Indian Film Festival. Shawanda (Canadian country flms from the Yocha Dehe music artist) was the best and Wintun Nation of California and music videos and the award- Arts Theater. a very good singer. The City the Lummi Nation, the Chehalis winning MESNAK, the frst tri- can be annoying and it gave me a Tribe was well-represented on the lingual Native-made feature-length It wasn’t all business on the 2 ½ day headache, but it’s a great place to go big screen. Students were brought flm. Filmmakers and stars of the trip. Students had some free time to shopping. And I never thought I’d up on stage for a question and flm were in attendance. With a see the sights at Fisherman’s Wharf, do the Gillette Challenge. I would little coaxing, students do some shopping at Union Square, love to go to the AIFI Film Festival introduced themselves visit Chinatown, and even ride next year because it was a great and found themselves the world-famous San Francisco experience. It was a privilege to go. in surprisingly engaging Cable Cars. It was an eye-opening conversations. Students experience for many of the youth, Dewey Gleason: While on my trip were given VIP treatment exposing them to many new things, to San Francisco I had learned many by the American Indian teaching them new skills, and giving things about the city, the people, the Film Institute, allowing them memories that will last a many delectable cuisines and many them access to events lifetime. Students who participated other facts that have enlightened that were otherwise included: Brooke Allen, Sean me spiritually and mentally. First not open to the public. Allen, Jordan Bird, Jordan Bray, thing I learned about the great city On Saturday, students Kaileen Bray, Aaliyah Flure-Latch, is it is known for its great trademark Students found themselves in front of the attended an invitation- Dewey Gleason, Jacee Hoyle, Geo architectural masterpieces: camera again being interviewed for “On only hors d’oeuvres Jack, Emily Ortivez, Gary Ortivez, Continued on Page 3..... Native Ground,” a Native television show. reception, with only the Makayla Ortivez, Harry flmmakers featured in Pickernell, and Farley answer session after the screening, the festival being allowed. Dressed Youckton. in which they had to explain in their fnest Hollywood style, their experiences and plans for students mingled with fellow Native Gary Ortivez: On my the future to total strangers. Not flmmakers and actors, including trip to San Francisco for all were strangers; proud parents Dr. Evan Adams of Smoke Signals the 37 Annual American th Stephanie and Harry Pickernell “Hey Victor…” fame. The night Indian Film Festival, I were in attendance to show their ended with the American Indian thought it was a good support. Some students even found Motion Picture Awards Show, experience for us young themselves in front of the camera honoring the best performances and kids to go and meet new again, doing interviews for “On productions of the year in the Native people and to show our Native Ground,” a Native television Film community in the US and flms we had made during show which was broadcasting the Canada. Students were recognized the summer. I, myself, event all over Southern California at the awards show by Festival had lots of fun. I got to Gary Ortivez and Jordan Bird talking and online. Director Michael Smith, standing meet Native American to a filmmaker from Canada hearing Friday night, the youth attended up to applause in front of a packed flmmakers and actors the story about a Mesnak (turtle) at the a screening that included several house at the historic Palace of Fine and watch their flms. Film Festival One thing I really liked Page 2 chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net