Preserving the Native cinema spirit for 31 years
Books worth reading
In this new collection of stories, Dene Elder George Blondin defines medicine power, a gift from the Creator for the Dene way of life. Although medicine power has existed since before time began, here Blondin focuses on the past two hundred years, to show how it has shaped the Dene culture.
Blondin explains the differences between the medicine power that some are lucky enough to be born with, and the medicine power that some receive after birth or are taught by other medicine power people. This collection of stories and examples of Dene individuals who lived throughout history shows that there is a danger of losing the longstanding tradition of medicine power. Although this power can be used for both creation and destruction, it must be preserved as a vital element of the Dene way of life.
In The Mysteries of Medicine Power Revealed, Blondin is our storyteller—bringing medicine power to life with true stories from Dene history. Blondin explains medicine power clearly, and brings a better understanding of this extraordinary phenomenon into the world. Includes a foreword by Richard Van Camp.
A powerful and moving story of one woman's victory over abuse, poverty, and discrimination to recover her life, her self-esteem and the love of her son.
Morningstar Mercredi was born and lived in the north – Fort Chipewayan and Fort McMurray in Alberta, Uranium City in Saskatch-ewan, and a number of small communities. Sexually abused from an early age, by family members and the boyfriends she turned to for consolation, she was promiscuous, alcoholic and a drug user by the time she was thirteen. She had a son when she was seventeen and then married at eighteen. Everything was a struggle. Days and weeks of sobriety were followed by weeks and months of drinking and self-abuse.
Then, when her son was four, things began to change. Morningstar found support, from the community, from her son, and from within herself, to be a good mother, find employment, keep relationships and reconnect with her family. Today, she is a strong and creative member of her community, and eager to tell her story of defeat and ultimate triumph.
Sadly, the first part of this story is all too common, while the second is all too rare. Morningstar not only discovers her self worth and esteem, she traces her abuse to its origin in history, freeing her from her cycle of self sabotage as she comes to terms with not only her history but a shared history among thousands of survivors who struggle with residential school syndrome.
She is honest and self-critical in her descriptions of many attempts and repeated failures. She gives enormous credit to her son, for his constant love, his determination to be honest with her, and his unfailing confidence in her ability to succeed.
Preserving the Native cinema spirit for 31 years
The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) proudly presents the 31st annual American Indian Film Festival, November 3-11, 2006. As the nation's most dominant outlet for Native American films, the American Indian Film Festival will feature ground – breaking films and documentaries of USA American Indian and Canada First Nation communities. Over seventy new films, documentaries to short and long form narratives will be screened.
The 2006 American Indian Film Festival will be a nine- day presentation with an expected attendance of over 5,000. The Film Festival takes place at two select theatre venues in San Francisco. The Land-marks Lumiere Theater, 1572 California Street, will hold screenings from November 3- 8 and then move to The Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St. @ Bay St, from November 9 -11.
AIFI's Tribal Touring Program, a Native youth film workshop program supported by tribal host partners, will also be screening 24 youth POV films on Friday Nov. 10 at the Palace of Fine Arts. AIFI’s Tribal Touring Program youth showcase include: United Auburn Indian Community, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
The American Indian Film Festival will also be offering two film workshops during the nine-day venue. The Festival workshops will be bringing award-winning, industry professionals to San Francisco to teach, inspire and share their knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers. The topics will include film music composition and entertainment law.
The highly-anticipated Annual American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show, showcasing the exceptional talent of Native American artists, will be held on Saturday November 11, 2006 @ the Palace of Fine Arts. Fourteen prestigious awards will be given and the awards show will have live entertainment including comedy and music. The line- up will feature performances by established and emerging Native artists and performers.
A complete schedule was available on Wednesday September 27, 2006 and will also be available on our website www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the general public and will require tickets for admission. The Festival provides a warm and friendly environment that allows everyone to experience the excitement and the joy of movies.
Advance Tickets available thru AIFI: 415-554-0525 visa & mastercard. On-site tickets available at the following theater venues (on day of show.) Visit www.aifisf.com for more info.