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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1992)
Page 11 February 1992 Smoke Signals Spirits of the Present Premieres on Public Radio Stations Nationwide The first radio documentary series about Native American history and culture, "Spirits of the Present: The Legacy from Native America," comes to public radio stations nationwide beginning January 1991 The 13 half-hour programs will air on more than 180 public radio stations, including 12 stations in the top 20 markets. The series is hosted by American Indian actress Tantoo Cardinal, best known for her performance as the wife of Kicking Bird in the Academy award winning film "Dances with Wolves." Original music for the "Spirits of the Present" series was composed by singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, a Canadian Cree. The series is a co-production of Radio Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and the Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium in Lincoln, Neb. It is distributed nationwide by Ameri can Public Radio (APR). "The creation of 'Spirits of the Present' presented us with a daunting challenge how to look at 500 years of history of more than 500 tribes with over 500 different languages," says coordinating producer Peggy BerryhilL a member of the Muskogee Nation The "Spirits" production team began by consulting a group of advisors from Native American communi ties. The advisory group suggested that the series offer an exploration of different topics as told from the viewpoint of contemporary Indian people. It was decided that each program would contain the voices .: of elders, share the history of lesser-known tribes, and emphasize the accomplishments of Indians today. The nature of oral traditions and their importance within Indian culture made the medium of radio especially appropriate for revealing the Indian historical record. Twelve independent radio producers travelled to locations throughout the United States., Canada, and i the Caribbean to gather material for the series. They collected field recordings from over 40 different tribal groups. Because producers bring their unique brand of creativity to a subject, each program reflects the style and vision of its producer. . Some of the programs in the series are: -"Messages from the Grandparents"-Ginger Miles, producer. The centuries-old unbroken chain of oral traditions which are passed on to each new generation. -"America's Heritage: Preserving Our History" Njemile Rollins, producer; A look at several ways Native people are preserving their cultural and tribal history. -"Rebuilding Our Nations"-Jyl Hoyt, producer. ; Creative solutions to the problems of economic development in several Native Nations. -"Education: Becoming a Whole Person"- Karen ; Michel, producer. From curriculum design to preser vation of language, Native Americans are taking : control of their own educational systems. -'Traditional Caring: Non-traditional Health Issues"- Cathy Chapman; producer. Urban Indian s clinics combine traditional healing practices with Western medicine in a unique approach to health care. -"Responding to the Quincentennial"-Alex Van Oss, producer. A mosaic of Indian views on the Columbus Quincentenary. -"Shared Visions"- Donna Carter, producer. The changing world of Native art as reflected by a : graphic artist, composer, and installation artist. -"Battle Lines: Pressures on the Land"- Dick Brooks, producer. Modern-day struggles over i issues of sovereignty. -The Indian in the Global Mind"- Peggy : BerryhilL producer. The global fascination with Indians, including the use of Indian mascots for non-Indian sports teams. Because so few Native Americans are currently working in radio, Berryhill designed a mentor program to train Native Americans in radio production. "The mentor program provided the opportunity for three Native American journalists to work with experienced national producers both in the field and in Radio Smithsonian's studio in Washington, DC," Berryhill says. The series will be available on five audio cassettes through the "Wireless" catalog for $29.95 plus shipping and handling. People who wish to purchase the cassettes may call 1-800-736-3044. . "Spirits of the Present" was made possible in part by major grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Ford Foundation, with additional support from the Ruth Mott Fund s and the Smithsonian Institution's Educational Outreach Fund. Classifieds Native American Artwork Indian Gaming magazine wants to help promote Native American artists from the very young to the elders in an effort to keep symbols of Indian culture in the public eye and to help Indian Gaming be more representative of the diverse tribal members who are our readers. If you or someone you know has an artistic flair and would like to see your Native artwork published in Indian Gaming magazine, send your name, address and phone number along with a copy of the artwork to: Indian Gaming Magazine Art 15825 Shady Grove Road, Suite 130 Rockville, MD 20850 Also send along a brief description of the artist. Contest: Chance For Authors To Publish Manuscripts The Returning Gift Project announces the first North American Native Authors First Book awards. Winners of these awards in drama, short fiction, creative non fiction and poetry will each receive $500 and publication of their manuscript by a participating press. For further information, contact The Greenfield Review Literary Center, PO box 308, Two Middle Grove Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833. Manuscripts must be sent by April 1. Students Want Native Recipes Native American youth in Phoeniz, Ariz, are asking for recipes to include in a cookbook they are concocting. The students are using the cookbook project to learn how to run a business, said Sara Williams (Tohono O'Ohdam), a high school student and president of United American Indian Enterprise, which is affiliated with the Phoenix Indian Center Inc's Economic Devel opment Department. The students want Native American recipes for the cookbook. Recipes should be sent to: Youth Entrepre neurial Program, Indian Center, 99 E. Virginia St. 160, Phoenix AZ 85004. Include your name, address, tribal affiliation and history of recipe. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE The Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill Fund assists in the placement through scholarships of capable, motivated Indian students in some of the nation's outstanding private college preparatory secondary schools. Applications are made each year from September through December for entry the following September. Interested students should apply during their 8th, 9th or 10th grade year. Parents, teachers, counselors and students should contact the: Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill Fund 1630 30th Si, Suite 309 Boulder, Colorado 80301-1000 Phone: (303) 492-3108 (303) 494-9476 NAJA Accepting Entries For 1992 Writing Contest Native American Journalist Association (NAJA) is invit ing Native American high school students to submit their writing in the Third Annual Project Phoenix Writing Com petition. The contest is part of NAJA's Project Phoenix, which is designed to encourage American IndianAlaskan Native high school students to explore journalism as a potential and rewarding career. The project is named after the first Native newspaper, Tlie Cherokee Phoenix, pub lished in 1828 in New Echota, Georgia. The writing contest is divided into the following categories: news writing, columneditorial writing, feature writing. First place winners in each category will receive $100 and a plaque. Second and third place winners will receive plaques. The competition is open to any Native American or Alaska Native high school student. Deadline for submission is March 27, 1992. winners will be an nounced in May. Articles must be submitted on 8 12" by 11" white paper and must have been published in either a school or community newspaper or newsletter in 1991 or 1992. Students may enter all five categories, but only once in each category. Articles will not be returned. Send entries to: Phoenix Competition, NAJA, Campus Box 287, Boulder CO 80309. J
