Yellow Rock - The Movie

This blog, as everyone already know is a open place to spread all good news about Native American people. Some of them are our beloved movie stars and I love to follow their work to show it here, eventhough it´s not a fan blog. BUT Try to remember that these loved native actors came from a nation, they do not ONLY play indian roles in films as they are indians ( and this is wonderful!! ) so I ask you all to learn about them, where they came from, to understand who they trully are. Though, I totally understand that we all get so fascinated by their stunning look that we can forget the history behind them, but I can assure you all that once you can learn more about them, you will surelly love them much more....( If it´s possible..lol )

Blogging about film productions which we can have history about native american people besides being a movie/entertainment is also a very important task for me because I trully believe that through entertainment we can reach another goals...so I hope everyone have fun with this post and If you understand what I mean, go beyond!!!

                                                     ( Official trailler of Yellow Rock )

Many new movie productions are about to be released this year . Movies which some of our loved native actors are in. One that I believe is going to have a blast is Yellow Rock, and once I have not watched it yet ( saddly ) I am gathering some hints that really makes me believe it will ...rock!!!

Hint number one: The movie has already taken part of some festivals and got many deserved nominations and awards:

- WINNER - Best Actor
Michael Spears
Red Nation Film Festival 2011

- WINNER - Best Director
Nick Vallelonga
Red Nation Film Festival 2011

- WINNER - Best Picture
Red Nation Film Festival 2011

WINNER -Best Supporting Actor
Michael Spears
American Indian Film Festival

NOMINATED - Best Supporting Actor
Zahn Mc Clarnon
Red Nation Film Festival 2011

             Watch now a delightful interview of Michael Spears for "behind of scenes "

Okay, Now that you probably clicked on it hundred times just to hear Michael´s voice , let´s go on...lol

Hint number two??? The movie has in its casting both Spears: Michael Spears ( as Broken wing ) and Eddie Spears ( as angry wolf ) - both Lakota /Sioux Nation - Tell me something you all,  Any movie with these two brillant talents is certainly a success ( okay, there is no need to mention how gorgeous they are ) Right choice!!!..In my point of view it was more than a choice, it was an inspiration....

 Eddie Spears is also in Hell on Wheels serie, which is showed at AMC TV( another production where he is stunning and brillant ). Well, it seems our stars are defenitely reaching the sky, and they do deserve it!! I just can not wait to see them in yellow rock!!!

Oh yeah! I can not forget also to mention another wonderful Native talents who are part of the casting of the movie, as Rick Mora, Zahn MC clarnon, Sam Bearpaw among others .

Hint number three? Lenore Andriel - Despite of she is not Native American I felt I had to mention her here because she is a great part of this project ( besides she is awesome !! ) - She plays Dr. Sarah Taylor in Yellow Rock and not only working as an actress in it she is also one of the filmmakers, writer and plot of the movie and I personally have a feeling that it will make ALL the difference for this production....

 I kindly was allowed by her to link here her interview for behind of scenes of yellow rock, and all I could see in it was a great sensibility and passion for native american history and people. Everything made with passion and sensibility become GREAT, that´s why I really believe this production will reach the top.

I am here wishing a great success for all Yellow rock 's crew and of course, when its released to the market I will let you all know it!!...( hope sincerelly that it comes to my country market with Portuguese subtitles - filmmakers please, get my hint...lol

Please, check out their webiste to get much more information.

www.yellowrockmovie.com

You all also can visit their fan page on facebook where there are always some updates and behind of scenes :)))

Hidden America

So this is my last consideration of the year. Recently it has showed on tv a documentary of Diane Sawyer about children who live in Pine ridge, one of the poorest Indian reservations, one of the LAKOTA ones.

I am aware of some people have different point of view about it and I do respect it. I am not here talking as Lakota people, I could not do this, I am not one of them. Here I just comment my own point of view, as the audience and as someone who LOVE and RESPECT these people, their culture and legacy. I see many people loving this great nation and having a strong identification with them ( I am totally included on it ), but I wonder if everyone out there who wants to be connected to their culture and spirituality is really aware of who they are nowadays…

The Lakota people have a beautiful culture and a sad history , there are still warriors , the ones who struggle hardly to keep their culture and people alive but sadly many of them are struggling another batters…Sometimes I find myself wondering how they got this point…I am not there, so I never would know the answer…I just know that their strength are still there , their values are still there…

This documentary from my point of view was very touching , I do not agree that only showed the negative points as poverty, high level of suicide and high level of alcoholism …It showed a very strong generation of children, ready to keep their culture and values alive, it´s a lesson for the rest of the world. The brightness on them, faith and strength give hope, eventhough we see endurance and a early maturity on them .Also personally I do not think it´s negative to show their real condition of life, I do not see this as an exploitation, by the contrary, it´s an alert , and can serve as a calling for many people out there who for some reason are really in love with this nation and try to be close to them by taking part to spiritual cerimonies which carries the Lakota name .

 If you want to feel so connected to them so there is a whole package to be taken, and maybe there is something you can do to help them to keep all of this alive. Again, I am not here talking by them…I talk by myself, by what touches my heart . I deeply respect if you think in a different way.

I posted about the Lighthouse Project which help them throughout the year, it could be a good opportunity to do something for them. I know that the subject of help can be a little bit complicate and I cannot go deep in it, but I can say this is a honest project created and led by people, native ones with good heart who know their people necessity .

I just think that we are so amazed by their deep culture and spirituality, we love and feel touched by the stories , we want to take part of their cerimonies so we must also know how to help , remember that one of the codes in a tribe is to help each other…so to be connected to them is to help too, we can not keep on ignoring the reality and just having the romantic ideas of indians sitting outside a teepee and smoke the pipe looking at the stars and clouds. sorry I had to mention this because I always heard it when people are talking about the Lakota people…I really wish it was true, maybe some of them still do this…but believe me, this is not the real life and this I can say even not being one of them and even not living among them.

May you have a wonderful new beggining!!

See you all in 2012!!!

Aho! Sandra Prem

Project Lighthouse

Many people nowadays are higly interested in Native American culture, are seeking for their ancestry spirituality but have no idea who they really are. Is part of Native American cultural system do help each other as a family, it´s the idea of we are not alone, we are all part of the great circle. For the ones who have no idea of their reality, they are not sitting in front of their tippies and smoking their pipes and appreciating the stars in the sky, maybe they also can do this, but more than this, they are helping each other. In South Dakota, the Lakota reservations have a hard time facing poverty, not just Pine Ridge but all of them. This Nation I assume is one of the most loved by people everywhere for their history and culture but unfortunately they no longer live in the plains as they  used to live once before the removal to the reservations. Now, they face another reality and they surely need help.

PLH 2012 - TEXAS INDIAN MARKET

I would like to share with you all this wonderful project and ask you to check it out, at least check it out and pass it on to other people if you can. Loving the Native American people, culture is not just learn their cerimonies and seek for healings , it is also to help out to preserve them, so they can keep on here. Aho! ( Sandra Prem )

Below I will share with you all, some words from their own page:

... Brad and Gabriele Bearsheart have been giving selflessly to the Native American communities since 2005 when they founded Project Lighthouse.

Over 70% of the population on the reservation is living well below the poverty level.   Not only is Project Lighthouse delivering gifts at Christmas time; they deliver food, clothing and furniture throughout the year. They are in desperate need of monetary donations in order to continue to operate. They have been operating for the last 6 years with very little financial assistance. They cannot continue for much longer without help. I would like to ask each of you to help us raise awareness and funds. Every little bit we can do makes a big difference.  

new address: 774B Century Place, Monument - Colorado
80132
Phone number: 7192900799






*****A NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!!!! *****

Fakes can harm you. Walk in Beauty!!

There is an old native prophecy which says there would be a moment in the future when a new generation of non natives would turn to native culture for healing themselves and the earth, this generation would turn to native culture and spirituality….well, for my point of view it seems the time is right now…I guess many people nowadays are aware of it…natives and non natives… Many people, non native are really seeking for the old wisdom of native people and through the ancient native spirituality and wisdom we can have a new enlightment  to guide our lives. Personally I think it´s wonderful, indeed but What we must be careful is with the fact of many greed people perfectly know that and they are out there trying to make fool of you, take your money, and make you a blindly follower of  their many colors tribe, or whatever else…Be careful you all!!!.... some time ago I wrote a post that can help you not to be tricked by fakes and some hints native friends kindly gave me to share with you all. I truly pay attention to all of them and hope it can help you all too. Of course I am totally for learning the old path, I do this myself we just might know how to do this in a harmless way. I highly recommend you all read this article too: How to be out of fake shamans!!

The tragedy envolving the “best seller” author Arthur James Rey can give us a clue of how dangerous can be in a rite which demands so much knowledge  , led by someone who does not have it.. I am not here making a judgement of what can be right or wrong. I am surely not the right person for that…but I just would like to share with you all some words coming from a Lakota buddy and through his words you can decide by yourselves. I must say also that he kindly allowed me to do this in his name otherwise I wouldn´t be doing this… . So you can see both sides and at least start seeing the other side of the coin….Remember, these words were written by a true traditional Lakota person, so we should pay attention to that…there is something we might learn from that…don´t you all agree??

Arthur Ray is not either  the first nor the last , there many others  like him out there and nobody wants people being harming by fakes who does not have any clue about real native American culture and spirituality. Leading a sacred rite is not a silly thing that can be done by an unprepared one. We really should understand the fine line between learning culture, dance, and symbolic cerimonies just for the reason to make us connected to this wonderful ancestry and being part of a rite which can harm us physically and spiritually , lead by someone  without any clue of native American spirituality and tradition.

I could say to you all that I really want one day to be blessed enough to participate to a real native ceremony…so I can perfectly understand the necessity people have to be in it…but look, just very special people inside the culture really can lead such cerimonies…there must be a reason for that, as the same if you go to a mass in a church , this one must be lead by someone really prepared for that…think about it….Do not let yourself be fooled by fakes who does not seek for any other than you money…or just gather followers enough to satisfy their poor egos….This is not Native American medicine at all.

I know many people out there are completely desperate for an experience, a shamanic experience…but I don´t think it´s just that simple…Believe me, if you really want to be connected by this so wonderful tradition, you could do it in a harmless way…remember, native people are extremely  and deeply connected  to the nature…so one nice thing to do, is to be in a place surrounded by nature, in silence….try it and see what comes after…see? There is no necessity to be part of those non sense cerimonies led by fakes who does not understand anything about native ancestry….One day you will be blessed enough to be guided by a real native but one capable to do this, it´s important to remember that even among native people just a real medicine man can do such things…do not let the greed and  arrogance of others use your faith for their own profit…Many things about native American spirituality are open to us, others are not…and there is a reason for that…use the ones which are available, they are simple and will help you…try to be deeply connected with them…Aho!! Sandra Prem

I am Lakota

The Sweat Lodge is a sacred ceremony of my people.
It is for prayer and cleansing of ones body & spirit.
Some snake oil salesman misrepresenting that he is selling my people’s sacred ways is bad enough. But this man was a charlatan of the worst kind. Deadly.

First a Medicine man does not charge, if he does, he is not a medicine man.

Second I wish they charged him with falsely claiming to be a Native American Indian but it seems the federal government only charges that on someone that took money from the government by claiming to be a Native.

Third in a real Sweat Lodge, if you get too hot you can just push open the side and crawl out. Being alive is always more important than not being rude when someone else is praying.

Fourth Sweat Lodge has nothing to do with wicca or new agers, on the contrary it is older than the dead sea the scrolls and as traditional to my people as it is sacred.

Fith James Arthur Ray killed people. May they rest in peace and may their families find healing.

words from Tokala Clifford ( Oglala Lakota )

Native Pride and warriors

Well, I have been thinking for a long time how I could write here something that could  give an understanding about Native American Nations exactly by who they are. Something that could be good and cool, something that could be easy to be understood by people like me and you. So, I decided to write up something from my own understandings, not exactly a research but my very point of view. From someone who is not quite white neither quite red though from someone who is not part of the culture . However you have to remember that it is just my opinion, maybe it´s right maybe not, maybe it´s good maybe not…, I just invite you to read it and take your own conclusions, make your own researches and feel free to agree or disagree with me. If you are now ready for the journey, here we go :)

All native traditions claim that everything you do will affect  the next 7 generation to come, as well as they are a result of their ancestors’ legacy. That´s the reason they care about  the nature, their culture and traditions ( try to see about the pow wow festivals, indian market fair, Red Nation Carpet for film productions etc..) and take their spiritual legacy as a highly important matter. Although, many things are open to us  , which I personally think is a very wonderful thing. It´s  important for us to remember that there was a time when they were forced to leave their lands, forced to let their beliefs behind and was strictly prohibited to practice their sacred religion. Many nations nowadays are strongly trying to keep their own language alive for the new generations to come. I heard once that it is not just a matter to speak a language, it is much more deeper than that, it is to keep alive an entire culture through the language , is to keep their ancestry alive. I know, it´s not easy to be understood but if one day you have the opportunity to be in a cerimony led by a native person you will remember this, I am quite sure of that.

The new generation DO make sure to remember this exactly because they know that What they have today is because their ancestors fought and died for . They are proud of what they are and where they came from. They are proud of everything which is part of their culture. Maybe it is something that the rest of us lost or never had.  Might be a first lesson to be learned, have you already thought about that?  They are not just proud of themselves once  this pride carries their ancestors too. They are proud of their  ancestry and the strength  they have now as a legacy , because it means to be strong enough to keep on , passing the message from generation to generation. Of course, people are different inside the culture, so I would not put everyone in the same package.

Their connection with nature because they do believe everything is part of the same family, so Mitakuye Oyasin – we are all related - is not just about human being but also the animals, the earth, the stones and trees ...everything connected. For this reason they do not have the greedy to take from the earth more than the necessary to live in order to keep the circle of  life.

So respect for life itself, being proud of yourself, what means self acceptance really might be something to be pondered..heard and learned from them. It´s the real Native way, the most important learning from my point of view. And yes, if we could really do that, our lives would be way better. No matter whether we follow any native tradition or not.

 Many people , natives and non natives  are aware of an old prophecy which says about a future generation of non natives would turn to native nations as a way to heal the earth and I do believe this time is now. In my mind I just think that two words from both sides are essential to fullfill it: Respect and Acceptance.

Oh yeah..I can not forget mentioning about The Warriors. In the past there were the pride warriors who fought in battles for their families and tribes. Now the batters are others but the warriors are still strong in their hearts. They no longer go to bloody batters, they do not fight to death. The modern warriors now are people who try to keep their beliefs strongly, they fight for keeping their culture alive and above all, are aware of respect people must have to each other – no matter who – and to the nature.

I have asked for some native friends what would be a warrior in their point of view. Most of them told me about being proud of What they are, be willing to fight for their family and people ( fight can be done in different ways, tough. ), but I will copy here What I most liked to hear and hope you all have the same feeling them me. It came from a beloved cherokee friend. I hope you all understand this but his name will not be  mentioned..but yeah...my favorite warrior :)

..."a warrior today and in history is a man, red or white, that fights for what he believes in no matter the cost, he is brave, he has honor, he is honest, and he is chivalrous - he never hurts women or children or the elderly. He is not a playboy, he loves one and only one and he is faithful to his love, his family, his tribe, and his God"...

If you are now interested in learning more, you should check out:

 Native American 10 Commandments,

Cherokee Nation

Pow wow Celebration

The Great Sioux Nation

That´s all for today, Hope you all have now many things to be considered and understood about Native American People!! See you on the next post and do not forget: Be safe and Stay in the Beauty :)

NATIVE AMERICAN 10 COMMANDMENTS

1. The earth is our MOTHER, care for her.

2. Honor all your RELATIONS.

3. Open your heart and soul to the GREAT SPIRIT.

4. All life is SACRED, treat all things with RESPECT.

5. Take from the earth What is needed and NOTHING more.

6. Do What needs to be done for the GOOD of all.

7. Give constant THANKS to the GREAT SPIRIT for each new day.

8.Speak the TRUTH, but only of the good in others.

9. Follow the rhythms of the NATURE, rise and retire with the sun.

10. Enjoy LIFE´s journey, but leave no tracks.


*** That is really something for us to start meditating in order to understand better the Native Nations, eventhough I do suspect that we can do it everyday and just will have a slightly idea of who they really are ( Sandra Prem ) *** Peace in your hearts¨***

Native American Heritage Month

November is the Native American Heritage Month in The U.S.A. It  might not be celebrated by everyone, but it will by all Native Nations and people who support them . Many interesting things will be happening and I will try to get all of them to show here for you!! That´s my invitation for you all, follow the blog during this month and let´s see how many cool things we will learn together :)

http://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/


Oh yes, One very cool thing is the 8th Annual Red Nation Film Festival to celebrate and honor The Best in Native American cinema - because The Red Nation has their own movie award. It´s a pretty nice thing once there are so many Excellent Movies, documentaries and Series directed, produced by Natives and of course casting very talent  and amazing actors. It´s absolutely necessary that they have their own red carpet too.....sorry Hollywood, you do not have The Spears brothers :)

.Our awesome Native stars such as Michael Spears and Rick Mora ( Yellow Rock ), Eddie Spears and Wes Studi  ( Hell on Whells ) and many others will be on the Red Carpet too.

It will be showed some excellent documentaries such as Holy Man, The Sacred Journey, Run to the East, Amazon Watch ( showing to the world the fight of Indigenous Peoples of Amazon Regions - Brazil, Peru, Ecuardor and Colombia ), Water directed by Joanelle Romero and the documentary which certainly has reached many hearts and made people all over the world aware of one of the poorest Indian Reservation - Pine ridge Oglala Lakota,  recently showed on ABC - Hidden America - Children of the Plain.


If you are now curious, check it out!!
http://www.rednationfilmfestival.com/

A very cool thing - For all fans who have been waiting for the release of Yellow Rock Movie - The crew which includes Michael Spears as Broken Wing, Eddie Spears as Angry Wolf and Rick Mora as Crow feather, had already their opening night premiere of the Red Nation and the movie has been nominated for Best film, Best director, Best actor ( Michael Spears) and Best supporting actor ( Zahn Mccarnon ) . We will be wishing good luck for all !!

Yellow Rock Official Website

IMDB

Another mini serie all fans have been waiting anxiously is HELL ON WHELLS which already had their Premiere and it will be released this month on AMC . This is a western casting Eddie Spears  ( as Joseph Black Moon )  who also was nominated as Best supporting actor and Wes Studi.  We all really have great expectation on it and having these wonderful and loved native actors on it a great audience guaranteed!!

IMDB

Well, That´s the first news for you all. Really hope everyone enjoy it!! and remember...more yet to come!! :)

Native Music - Jacob Pratt

Jacob Pratt is a Dakota/Saulteaux and a registered member of the Cote First Nations in Saskatchewan Canada and by the things I could find about him I can say Jacob is a brillant talent and human being. We all wish you all the best on your path Jacob, way to go!!!

He is a  traditional flutist, Dancer, traditional singer, and story teller. He is also a Hoop dancer and in this style he uses 15 different hoop to tell stories by creating different animals formation. So far awesome, isn´t it???


by Michael Keith Dubois

He started playing traditional native american flute still very young and now  his first cd is already released entitled Eagle Calls. This cd was also nominated for an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award . Oh! I forgot to mention he is also a model and motivational speaker for youth.

Well, I am pretty sure everyone now is very curious to know more about Mr. Pratt, so take a look at his official website and check out his songs and modeling pictures . I did and I can say they are too much enchanting ( both music and pictures )...surely his music will touch your heart.



...."a true warrior is guided by compassion an not a desire to fight"..( Jacob Pratt )


Jacob Pratt Official Website
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jacobpratt

Fight Gone Bad 6

For days I have been wondering about What could be the real  meaning of being a warrior and have made this question to many of my native friends, this is in fact for another post I am working on but some of the answers I got fit completely for this one...." A real warrior fights for what he believes no matter it costs..a real warrior has a cause to be defended and fought "...

I come here today to ask for all my dear readers and followers that help the cause my friends David and Angelique Midthunder are fighting for. Take a look at it and if it touches your heart, donate!! it´s easy  to do it and as Angelique says.." If everyone donates $1.00 dollar so we will raise $ 5.000."...

To understand better the cause I am talking about I will re-post David´s  own words on here:

..."If you know me you know I never ask anything. This I am asking not for myself but for the children who have lost their fathers in combat. Special Ops Warrior Foundation provides college scholarships, leadership opportunities, and most importantly HOPE for these children who have lost so much. It's easy to donate by clicking the link below and find out more about my cause. ".. ( David Midthunder )

FightGoneBad

..."For me CrossFit WODs (Workout Of the Day) are another extension of my tribal ceremonial spirituality. In the Tribal CrossFit community we choose a person or cause to focus and dedicate our time and energy to, just as we do in Sweatlodge or Sundance. On Sept 17th the Global CrossFit tribal community is participating in a WOD called FIGHT GONE BAD to benefit the children of our brave Warriors who were KIA (Killed In Action). I'm dedicating this WOD to my son's combat unit"... ( David Midthunder )

I really hope all wonderful people around the world who read this post will have your hearts touched by it. 

Angelique Midthunder

                                            Actress | Stunt | Director | Producer


Angelique is married to  David Midthunder ( Lakota Nation ) and eventhough she is not a native in blood I am pretty sure she is in her soul and together they make one of the most beautiful couple I have ever seen.

A multi talent woman, Angelique is a self taught documentary filmmaker, and a humanitarian and preservationist at heart. Her ultimate goal is to effect a change in social consciousness regarding environmental and cultural issues. She believes that education through entertainment is key to reaching the masses. A serious horse lover, her first nationally released work was the documentary she created for the Animal Planet with Walt Disney Studios, “America’s First Horse.”

For that she partnered with screenwriter/producer and fellow Spanish Mustang preservationist, John Fusco to spotlight the rare Indian War Horse. Angelique followed that up by directing and producing an artistic short film “The Horse is Good” with actor/artist/activist Viggo Mortensen (LORD OF THE RINGS, HIDALGO, HISTORY OF VIOLENCE).

 Most recently, Angelique started her own production company, mostly directing and producing documentaries, and has since taken on the task of producing a series of Public Service Announcements for American Wild Horse Preservation. Her first narrative “Reservation Warparties,” broadcasts this season (2005-06) on PBS’s Emmy Award winning series “Independent Lens. Also she produced and directed the documentary “Silent thunder “ a very touching history – for more information about it here it goes a link about this work.
Silent Thunder

She has led workshops for Native youth at Project HOOP—National Gathering 2006 in Los Angeles, California and New Mexico Highlands University Digital Filmmaking Bootcamp 2007 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She sits on the general advisory board of Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary.

"I founded Midthunder Productions in order to create films that touch the lives and hearts of viewers. A humanitarian and conservationist at heart, I believe in education through entertainment and focus on producing films that have a higher purpose." ( Angelique Midthunder )

 

Besides she´s a stunning stunt woman ( words from her husband – David Midthunder ). As the stunt business is very low key I could not get all the films which she has been doubling big stars…you know, to preverse the magic that floats on the movies. But here there is a very nice video showing a little about her work.

Angelique Midthunder - IMDB