Upcoming Screenings
Imagining the Indian at the Autry Museum July 14 🗓
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.
Imagining the Indian at the Kennedy Center June 30 🗓
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.
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Press Coverage
![Best Things To Do This Week in Los Angeles And SoCal: July 11- 14](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Screen-Shot-2022-02-03-at-4.19.41-PM-1.png)
Best Things To Do This Week in Los Angeles And SoCal: July 11- 14
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
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,’ Documentary Co-Produced by Merrill’s Kevin Blackistone, Appearing on Film Festival Circuit](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-12-at-1.09.26-PM.png)
‘Imagining the Indian,’ Documentary Co-Produced by Merrill’s Kevin Blackistone, Appearing on Film Festival Circuit
“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](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-12-at-11.02.14-AM.png)
‘We are not those mascots’: Native activist on Native American sports mascots
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](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/poster-small.png)
Imagining the Indian Continues its Film Festival Run
![San Manuel commits $1 million to film denouncing American Indian mascots in pro sports](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-03-14-at-11.37.26-AM-1080x675.png)
San Manuel commits $1 million to film denouncing American Indian mascots in pro sports
For more than half a century, American Indian tribes and their advocates tried in vain to persuade professional sports teams to drop names offensive to Native peoples.
But the movement finally gained traction in recent years. Washington’s pro football team dropped its Redskins moniker in 2020 after decades of protest, and last month announced it had adopted the name Commanders. In July, the Cleveland Indians, which dropped the club’s Chief Wahoo mascot in 2019, announced it was changing its name to the Guardians. The Major League Baseball club had been the Indians for more than a century, since 1915.
Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting and California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival
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. Included among those is the former name and imagery of the Washington Football Team. While the filmmakers are encouraged by the Team’s announcement to move away from the racist name they profited from for decades, they realize that the fight against Native American Mascoting is far from over.
![“Imagining the Indian” to Have World Premiere at California’s American Indian and Indigenous Film Festival](https://imaginingtheindianfilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Screen-Shot-2022-02-03-at-4.19.41-PM.png)
“Imagining the Indian” to Have World Premiere at California’s American Indian and Indigenous Film Festival
The timely documentary Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting will make its world premiere at California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival. The festival highlights the best of current films from American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors working through Indian Country. Imagining the Indian will close out the Festival on Sunday, April 3, 2022 with a screening, Q&A, and post-screening reception. View the Trailer now.
Watch Trailer for Documentary ‘Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting’
The timely documentary Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting co-directed by Aviva Kempner and Ben West (Cheyenne) will make its world premiere at California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival. The festival highlights the best of current films from American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors working through Indian Country. Imagining the Indian will close out the Festival on Sunday, April 3, 2022 with a screening, Q&A, and post-screening reception.
Extra: Team Whistle names new president; “Imagining the Indian” premiere
Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting, a new documentary feature, will make its world premiere at California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival, closing out the event on April 3 with a screening, Q&A and post-screening reception.
“It’s time for a reckoning.”
“This is an important subject and an important film.”
“Racial slurs shouldn’t be a regular part of everyday conversations, let alone cherished and institutionalized. It’s time for sports fans to open their eyes.”
Tribal Council
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Northern California
Committed to Our Mission
Our goal is to raise awareness of the issue of Native American Mascoting, expand the understanding, and appreciation, of Native American culture, and empower a movement towards widespread social sensitivity.
Meet Our Supporters
Support the Film
We appreciate your shared committment to ensuring this message reaches the masses.
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
Lead Executive Producer | Website
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Executive Producer | Website
Jessica and Steve Sarowitz
Co-Executive Producer
Aviva Kempner
Director & Producer | View Bio
Ben West
Director & Producer | View Bio
Sam Bardley
Producer | View Bio
Kevin Blackistone
Producer | View Bio
Barbara Ballow
Editor | View Bio
Yancey Burns
Producer | View Bio
Contact the Filmmakers
Expand your image of the Native American!
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