Imagining the Indian

Best Things To Do This Week in Los Angeles And SoCal: July 11- 14

Jessie Atkin — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:18:17 +0000

Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting
The Autry Museum in Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park

Attend the L.A. premiere of a documentary that follows the movement to eradicate the words, images and gestures that many Native Americans and their allies find demeaning and offensive. The film examines history through archival footage and interviews and talks with those involved in the current fight. Pre-screening reception at 6:30 p.m. Included with museum admission, though ticket reservations are recommended. More Info

The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of June 30-July 6

Jessie Atkin — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:23:37 +0000

Thursday’s outdoor screening at 8:30 p.m. of “Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting” should have a particular relevance for fans of the Washington Commanders.

Imagining the Indian at the Autry Museum July 14 🗓

Jessie Atkin — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 14:07:29 +0000

Imagining the Indian is a comprehensive examination of the movement to eradicate the words, images, and gestures that many Native Americans and their allies find demeaning and offensive. The film takes a deep-dive into the issues through archival footage and interviews with those involved in the fight. The psychological research is clear, the use of Native American mascots is detrimental, not only to Native people, but to marginalized groups everywhere.

Pre screening introduction with co-producer Yancey Burns and co-director Ben West (Cheyenne)
Post screening Q&A with co-director Aviva Kempner and interviewees Dr. Joely Proudfit(Luiseno/Payomkowishum), Dr. Amy West (Cheyenne), and W. Richard West Jr. (Cheyenne).

Pre-screening reception at 6:30 p.m.

Learn More

Imagining the Indian at the Kennedy Center June 30 🗓

Jessie Atkin — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 14:05:06 +0000

Outdoor screening of Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting. This documentary that examines the movement that is ending the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in the world of sports and beyond.

Thu. Jun. 30, 2022 8:30 p.m.

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Sacheen Littlefeather Talks About What Really Happened Before, During And After Rejecting Marlon Brando’s Oscar

Jessie Atkin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:50:23 +0000

Before Chris Rock and Will Smith and the Oscars slap heard ‘round the world, there was Sacheen Littlefeather.

Littlefeather became a household name overnight back in 1973 — a viral moment long before TikTok and other social media made those common. She did it by politely commanding the stage at the 45th Academy Awards, refusing to accept the Oscar on behalf of legendary actor Marlon Brando for his role in The Godfather and speaking out against the shameful treatment of Native Americans onscreen and off.

‘Dark Winds’ Review: Murder Most Foul in the Navajo Nation

Jessie Atkin — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:17:02 +0000

The natural way to lead a review of “Dark Winds,” which premieres Sunday on AMC, would be to note that it is a series written, directed and performed largely by Native Americans; set in the Navajo Nation and filmed on location in New Mexico; and bringing to screen the tribal police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee from Tony Hillerman’s best-selling mystery novels.

Or you could cut to the chase and just say: Oh thank God, someone finally gave Zahn McClarnon his own television show. Read More

‘Native Mascots do not bring honor to Native Americans’: Mass. students, activists, and Native people want change

Jessie Atkin — Wed, 04 May 2022 19:04:02 +0000

Native mascots have been the subject of fierce debate in recent years.

The Washington football team, which formerly had a Native mascot, announced their new mascot as the Commanders in February, marking one less Native mascot on the national stage. But the local Native American community is left wondering when that change will come to Massachusetts schools and towns.

‘Imagining the Indian,’ Documentary Co-Produced by Merrill’s Kevin Blackistone, Appearing on Film Festival Circuit

Jessie Atkin — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:08:55 +0000

“Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting” — co-produced by Kevin Blackistone, Professor of the Practice at the University of Maryland‘s Philip Merrill College of Journalism — won the Best Documentary prize at the Boston International Film Festival, and continues its film festival circuit by making its Washington, D.C., premiere at Filmfest DC.

‘We are not those mascots’: Native activist on Native American sports mascots

Jessie Atkin — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:02:55 +0000

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks to Susan Shown Harjo and Kevin Blackistone about the documentary “Imagining the Indian,” and the movement to eliminate mascots from sports that demean Native Americans.

Imagining the Indian Continues its Film Festival Run

Jessie Atkin — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 20:32:08 +0000

Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting will make its Boston premiere at the Boston International Film Festival (BIFF) The film will be screened Monday, April 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET at the AMC Boston Common 19 Theatre (175 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111) Tickets for Boston International Film Festival – FilmFreeway, with a screening, and post-screening discussion with the film’s directors and producers. View the Trailer

It’s appropriate that Imagining the Indian has been selected to be screened on the same day as the Boston Marathon inasmuch as Billy Mills, the first U.S. Olympian to capture gold in the men’s 10,000m, in 1964, and a member of the Ogala Lakota tribe, is a feature interview in the documentary.

“Our greatest hope is that through these films the audience will be inspired and encouraged to embrace all the world’s cultural diversity and work towards a more understanding, peaceful world,” said Patrick Jerome, Founder of the Boston International Film Festival.

“We are so proud to screen this film at the Boston International Film Festival. We made this film for the good of Indian Country and with the support of Indian Country, and we are excited to debut at a festival dedicated to sharing diverse and powerful visions of humanity ” said Co-Director Ben West.

Imagining the Indian is a comprehensive examination of the movement to eradicate the words, images, and gestures that many Native Americans and their allies find demeaning and offensive. While the filmmakers are encouraged by the recent changes made by the Washington Football Team and the Cleveland Baseball Team, they realize that the fight against Native American Mascoting is far from over.

The Kansas City National Football League (NFL) Team, the Chicago National Hockey League (NHL) Team, and the Atlanta Major League Baseball (MLB) Team remain adamant that they will not change their team names or practices, including the insidious Tomahawk/Arrowhead Chop. Additionally, close to 2,000 secondary schools throughout the country still have harmful Native themed mascots. Imagining the Indian seeks to shine a light on these harms.

“It’s great Billy Mills is being recognized for his amazing and inspiring Olympic performance,” said Co-Director Aviva Kempner. “Changing the Washington Football Team’s name is long overdue, but the victory is only piecemeal until the other pro and amateur teams also choose new names.”

“And eradicating Native American mascoting will rid us of its perniciousness, which is that exposure to it is at the root of negative stereotyping and treatment of all people of color,” said Co-Producer Kevin Blackistone.

After Boston, Imagining the Indian will make its way to Washington, D.C. for Filmfest DC (FFDC). The film will be screened on Friday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Landmark E Street theater. Following the screening, the Directors and Producers of Imagining the Indian will take part in a post-screening discussion of the film.

“Now in its 36th year, the Washington, D.C. International Film Festival presents feature premieres, documentaries, shorts and special events in an enjoyable atmosphere for film lovers. The festival’s audience is widely diverse, curious, and knowledgeable. Filmfest DC is the largest and longest running film festival in the Nation’s Capital and has developed into one of our city’s major cultural activities,” said Tony Gittens, Director of Filmfest DC.

The filmmaking team behind Imagining the Indian look forward to taking part in the Boston International Film Festival, and Filmfest DC. The film is made possible by generous support from Executive Producers Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Co-Executive Producers Jessica and Steve Sarowitz.

The film is Produced by the Ciesla Foundation, Co-Directed and Co-Produced by Aviva Kempner and Ben West (Cheyenne), and Co-Produced by Kevin Blackistone, Yancey Burns, and Sam Bardley. Interviewees include Activist Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee), Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), Olympic Gold-Medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), Founding Director of the National Museum of the American Indian W. Richard West Jr. (Southern Cheyenne), USA Today Columnist Christine Brennan, Under Secretary for Museums and Culture at the Smithsonian, Kevin Gover (Pawnee), U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Mvskoke), Historian Phil Deloria (Dakota), Washington Football Team Legend Charles Mann, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Broadcaster Bob Costas, The Star-Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson, among many others.

For more information on Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting, visit www.imaginingtheindianfilm.org