Native American Heritage Month: Unity and Diversity is our Strength

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November 05th, 2008 - Wednesday - Opening Celebration - Craig Hall Community Room at 6 pm.

Come enjoy Indian Tacos, singing, and dancing.

http://www.iliff.edu/academics/faculty/profiles/gtinker/index.php

Performances by Adele Pino & Family also known as Native Nations Dance Troupe.

Map and Parking (enter site name into search box) http://www.du.edu/maps/

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November 07th, 2008 - Friday - The Canary Effect - Sturm Hall Room 251 at 6 pm

About Film (http://thecanaryeffect.com)

THE CANARY EFFECT - Kill the Indian, Save the Man.

Based on facts, the Award Winning documentary, The Canary Effect is a culmination of Yellow Thunder Woman’s first hand experience growing up as a Native American and Robin’s passionate empathy of the need to bring such truths to a wider audience.  This is the directors, Robin Davey & Yellow Thunder Woman’s debut film and has been a hit on the International film festival circuit.

Delving deep into the often misunderstood and frequently over looked historic realities if the American Indian, The Canary Effect follows the terrifying and horrific abuses instilled upon the Indigenous people of North America, and details the genocidal practices of the US government and its continuing affects on present
day Indian country.

Featuring interviews with the leading scholars and experts on Indian issues including controversial author Ward Churchill, the film brings together the past and present in a way never before captured so eloquently and boldly on film.

About the Directors:

ROBIN DAVEY - http://www.robindavey.com/
Born and raised in Southern England, first and foremost a musician - Robin created many music  videos for his own bands which led to him directing projects for Disney, Interscope, Geffen and Universal Records.  He has recorded with artists of such stature as Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics); in addition to working on major movie film scores for both Alfie and Be Cool.  In 2003 the eponymous album he co-wrote and produced for Native American blues-rockers Indigenous reached number three on the Billboard Blues chart.  Robin is the co-founder writer/musician/producer of the band The Bastard Fairies whose first video “The Greatest Love Song” won Best New Music video at The American Indian Motion Picture Awards in 2006.

YELLOW THUNDER WOMAN (Wakinyan Zi-Win) - http://www.yellowthunderwoman.com/
A member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, Yellow Thunder Woman is a direct decendant of the great Ponca Chief Standing Bear.  The youngest of fifteen children and daughter of former A.I.M., (American Indian Movement) and International Treaty Council member Greg Zephier - she grew up with not only a deep knowledge of her people’s history but also a rich understanding of the realities of reservation life. As well as directing, Yellow Thunder Woman is a talented painter and songwriter. She is also the co-founder, vocalist/lyricist for the internet phenom band The Bastard Fairies.

Those appearing in the movie include:

Ward Churchill is an author, activist and Professor of Indian Studies at Colorado University. His books include A Little Matter Of Genocide, Kill The Indian Save The Man and Struggle For The Land

Troy Johnson is an author and professor of American Indian Studies in Long Beach California. His Publications include, Red Power, American Indian Activism and Alcatraz.

Charles Abourezk is An Attorney at Law in Rapid City, and director of the film Tatoo On My Heart. He is also a current Supreme Court Justice for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

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November 08th, 2008 - Saturday - Closing Celebration - Driscoll Ballroom 5 pm

Opening our closing celebration is guest speaker Karen Wilde Rogers, addressing issues affecting the American Indian's past and future. Karen is currently employed at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus as a Senior Professional Research Associate/Project Coordinator at the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building. In this position, she serves as the primary point of contact for thirty demonstration projects across the nation. These community projects implement a program to prevent cardiovascular disease in diabetics. She was previously employed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor as the Executive Secretary for Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) where she collaborated with federal, state and local agencies as the state advocate for the two sovereign Indian nations within the State of Colorado as well as all American Indians in Colorado. CCIA is the only statutory responsibility of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Colorado. During this time, she was active in several legislative efforts such as an amendment to update the general education statute for the teaching of history, culture and civil government, the creation of a scholarship from fees for a special Colorado license plate, state compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and played a major role to amend the complicated Unmarked Human Graves Act. http://www.karenwilde.com/

Followed by dance performances by Seven Falls Indian Dancers.

Seven Falls Indian Dancers have been dancing since 1985. Their dance troupe represents four generations of family members. They are from the Pawnee, Flandreau Santee-Sioux Crow Creek Sioux, and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes. They present social and exhibition dances from several different tribes of the Plains region. The origin of the dance is explained with a story. Their troupe has been dancing throughout Colorado for over 25 years. They dance every summer at Seven Falls in Colorado Springs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They have performed for Laura Bush at the Hay Conference, (8/06), Camilla Anthony, Katie Couric, Jane Norton, the Denver Nugget halftime show, Colorado State Fair, West Palm Beach County Fair, Territory Days, Adams County State Fair, City of Lafayette, City of Cripple Creek, Rifle Mountain Rendezvous, Young Presidents, Junior World Figure Skating Champions, Event Design, Wal-Mart Grand Opening, International Kite Day, Colorado History Museum, IBM, Denver Academy, Regis University, National Lieutenant Governor Association, Denver University, businesses, schools, fundraisers, and celebrations.

Dances Performed Include:

Intertribal Dance-All dancers participate

Eagle Dance-Represents an eagle in flight

Swan Dance-A reminder to be thankful

Spear & Shield Dance-Represents two warriors in battle

Jingle Dance-Story of healing

Fancy Shawl-Fast dance imitating the butterfly

Grass Dance-Northern male dance

Horse Tail Dance-Honors the horse

Round Dance-One of our oldest social dances, audience is invited to dance

Two Step-A Couples dance; the audience is invited to participate

Hoop Dance-Represents the struggles in life and how the competent dancer can overcome them

To view recent presentation-www.helpingamericasyouth.org (hay conference)

For more info or to book performances please contact: Carrie Howell-303-233-1985 or Carrie@sevenfallsindiandancers.com