Center for Multi-Cultural Cooperation

Artist and Community Collaboration Initiative

Location:

Sacramento, CA

Award:

$10,000

Project:

Native Voices

Website:

www.cmcweb.org/cmc/

This digital arts media program trains economically underserved and technologically disconnected young people to express their public voice and preserve the legacies of underrepresented communities and cultures. An eight-week summer project, the Native Voices digital storytelling initiative will successfully engage youth with artists and community elders in the creation of short multimedia videos highlighting community and tribal history and the contributions of local leaders to community, culture, and country.

Video Description:

Title: Believe, Believe, Believe: The Story of Billy Mills
Youth Producers: Xavier Brown, Jasmine Young
Storyteller: Billy Mills

Title: As It Was
Youth Producers: Tahawnee Marquez, Nasheena Chavez, Courtney Long, Justin Long, Rellie Tucker, Rachelle Beecher, Felycia Duffield, Padro Inzuna, Alexis Chetnot, Chelsey Chenot
Project Advisors: Barbara Milazzo, Penny Long
Storyteller: Rita Maczko

Title: I Walk My Path: The Story of Helen Hogan Coats
Youth Producers: Nellie Tucker, Sam Tucker, Courtney Long, Justin Long, Matt Szabo, Acacia Coats, Felycia Duffield, Tahawnee Marquez, Alexis Chetnot, Heather Mayes
Storyteller: Helen Hogan Coats

“The act of giving was part of the ‘gifting economy’ of the Northwest where one’s wealth was measured by generosity, good work and a good heart. That is the work of philanthropy too: It’s an honor to have plenty and to share. There is no lack when you have this process in place and the most important mindset to have while participating is gratitude, or giving thanks and promising to care for all, no matter what.”

Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama

Board Secretary, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Of counsel, Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.

Center for Multi-Cultural Cooperation

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees