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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2009)
4 NOVEMBER 15, 2009 Smoke Signals Comnmuiiniifty Fund helps oreafte documentary Native arts show debuts on OPB on Nov. 25 By Dean Rhodes . Smoke Signals editor Oregon Public Broadcasting, in association with Painted Sky, will premiere a new performing arts documentary, "For the Gen erations: Native American Story & Performance," on OPB at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. A grant from the Grand Ronde Tribe's Spirit Mountain Commu nity Fund, in part, made the docu mentary possible. "As a Tribal foundation, it is an honor to partner with Painted Sky and other funders to promote Na tive American arts and culture. As a terminated Tribe, we know the value of honoring our culture to perpetuate our Tribal history," said Tribal member and Fund Director Shelley Hanson. Artists profiled in the documen tary include pop-diva and "Urban Indian" Jana Mashonee; classi cally trained ballet dancers Mi chael Greyeyes and Santee Smith; Grammy Award winners Robert Mirabal and Bill Miller; funky R&B songstress Martha Redbone; Painted Sky's own Northstar danc ers and a host of others. "You will be surprised by these performers," said OPB's Sean Hutchinson, who produced the documentary. "Though they all weave their Tribal heritage in and out of their music and dance, their performances have appeal that extends beyond what might be too . easily classified as 'Native-American' music." Part performance, part behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, the documentary profiles the per sonal stories of the artists in their own words weaving a narrative through the performances that lends grit and personality to the artistry showcased. The documentary travels to lo cations across the country and in Canada to capture the artists' t-: ! -Oi Ml VI dk Photo courtesy of OPB Tribal member Shelley Hanson, Spirit Mountain Community Fund director, presents OPB's Vice President of Local Production Jeff Douglas with a check in support of "For the Generations: Native American Story and Performance." Pictured, from left to right, are Painted Sky dancer Isaac Trimble, choreographer Lorena Aranda, dancer Mary Bodine, Hanson, Community Fund Program Officer Louis King, Douglas, producer Sean Hutchinson, Painted Sky dancer Willie Sittinghorse Kirk, choreographer Damon Keller and dancer Rebecca Payne Friedlander. performances. "For the Genera tions" will be released to a national audience of public broadcasting affiliates in spring 2010. "Thanks to OPB and the other sponsors for providing an oppor tunity for a national audience to experience Native music, while get ting a glimpse of the life and times of our artists," said Arlie Neskahi, co-president of Painted Sky Inc., Navajo Nation. Much of the focus of the docu mentary centers on the outreach performers do and their work with Native youth. "A person like Jana really shines a light on a pathway to success and v.? Photo by Dean HlxxVn Chinook Tribal Vice Chairman Sam Robinson, seated left, and Chairman Ray Gardner visited the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on Friday, Nov. 6, to discuss Issues of mutual Interest, Including the Chinook Tribe's quest for federal recognition. Grand Ronde Tribal members who visited with them Included, on right side from left Wink Soderberg, Steve Bobb Sr. and Chris Mercier. presents a model for kids by which they might become an artist or doc tor or astronaut whatever they can conceive for themselves and not be daunted by some bleak odds," Hutchinson said. An examination of those chal lenges facing American Indians on and off the reservation include health and fitness issues such as diabetes, alcoholism and suicide. Artist Bill Miller reveals the heal ing that music has brought to his life as he returns to his alma mater at the University of Wisconsin-La-Crosse to debut his latest release. "I've been through so much trau ma in my life, I need to move on too. And I took this music, not knowing where it w'ould go, but now I see the effect. It's a very healing piece of music," he said. Portland's Regional Arts and Cul ture Council provided additional funding. The program will air again on OPB at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. Additional support was provided by the University of Oregon, Port land State University's Native American and Student and Com munity Center, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Native American Youth & Family Center, the Native American Music Awards and the American Indian College Fund. The city of Portland and state of Oregon also have endorsed the project. B Christmas tree contest The Elders' Activity Center is looking for teams to decorate a Christmas tree. Voting will be conducted by people who come into the Elders' Ac tivity Center. Prizes will be $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. The trees then will be sold by silent auction. Decorating will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Call Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham at 503-879-2233 to sign up your team or call Tribal Elder Louise Medeiros at 503-879-4312 for more information. Recycle center moves The Recycle Center hn been moved temporarily to 9675 Grand' Ronde Rond. (The Curl Property next to Procurement). We will leave it open every day, flu long n there in't any personal garbnge or other materials (couches, mattn,fen, etc.) dumped there. We need everyone to take only recyclable items to the center. THE RECYCLE CENTER IS NOT A DUMP. Thank you for doing your part to keep this service available to our community. For more information, contact Tribal Facilities Manager Michael J. Larsen at 503-879-2 107.