New Films from Native Voices to screen

PABLO — Two new award-winning films that deal with the impacts that government boarding schools had in native lives, and the images of Native women in the media will be screened at Salish Kootenai College in the Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theatre on October 23. Native Voices producers CSKT tribal member Dr. Luana Ross and Daniel Hart will lead live discussions of these powerful new works. The screenings are co-sponsored by Native Voices and KSKC Public TV.

The program includes:

Actress Elaine Miles is featured in the documentary "Frybread Babes." (courtesy photo)

Frybread Babes, A Native Voices film by Steffany Suttle (Lummi). This compelling film explores Native women, body image, and identity. What is the impact of growing up without seeing images in the media who look like your mother and aunties? In 21st century American mass media, where are the Native American women? Featuring actress Elaine Miles, as well as other Native women from around the U.S., this new Native Voices production explores the issues of Native women and body image with humor, intimacy, and compassion.

The hardships and abuse of the old boarding school system for Native Americans is defined in the documentary "A Century of Genocide in America: The Residential School Experience." (courtesy photo)

A Century of Genocide in the Americas: The Residential School Experience, A Native Voices film by Rosemary Gibbons (Mimbres Apache). This powerful documentary tells the story of how Indian Residential Schools became a haven for institutionalized sexual abuse. The inspiration for the film comes from the Native American and First Nations survivors who have taken legal action against the institutions that perpetuated this destructive cycle; these are the very same institutions whose purpose and mandate was to “provide” for their well being. This video takes a historical look at how the systematic removal of Native children from their families and community not only made them easy targets for pedophiles but also how these vile acts turned many of the victims into predators. The second half shows Native peoples using their traditional ways of healing in order to bring back joy and balance back within their own lives and communities.

Sherman Alexie has said of the film: “A quiet and powerful story. There’s so much pain here and so much poetry. This is a movie we all need to see.”

Co Carew, Virgil Brave Rock and Mary Big Bow of the SKC Social Work program will be in attendance to talk with people one-on-one after the program if participants want to discuss their personal stories.

The program will begin at 6 pm with a reception with the filmmakers. Luana and Dan will have information about the Native Voices Masters Degree program at the University of Washington in Seattle. The screenings and discussions will follow at 7 pm.