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