Honor and celebrate the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial by creating your own dream catcher using crafting supplies.
Learn how to create a dream catcher using wire, suede lace, string, beads, and more while discovering its history and significance to the indigenous people.
Can’t make the in-person session? Request your supply kit after the event and make the dream catcher at home with a pre-recorded tutorial. Each session is limited to 20 individuals on a first-come first-serve basis.
Register at ofpl.online/ofpl-book-club for a copy of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer now through July 19th.
Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings―asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass―offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices.
First Peoples’ Film Festival highlights indigenous filmmakers, writers, producers
Gallup Independent. November 21st, 2019. Richard Reyes, Staff Writer.
GALLUP – The inaugural First Peoples’ Film Festival highlighted movies produced, written and directed by indigenous filmmakers at the Octavia Fellin Public Library as part of Native American Heritage Month.
Film festival organizer Joshua Whitman, who is the experiential learning coordinator for the library, said the purpose of the event was to bring attention to works that are often overlooked in Hollywood.
“In my opinion, the film industry is predominantly white-washed,” Whitman said. “A lot of popular movies that are directed, produced, and written by people that are popular in the mainstream. The films highlighted in the festival are not really publicized because we are a minority.” Continued After Image
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Showcasing Native films
Whitman said he wanted to showcase Native American films because the community is predominantly Native American, making up about nearly 75% of the population in McKinley, County.
Whitman said he began planning the film festival about three months in advance, but it almost didn’t come together. He planned to show films for two weeks, but he ran into technical difficulties and licensing troubles.
There were also movies in production or post-production that he hoped to show but they are not yet ready.
Whitman researched Native American films via the library’s film streaming service Canopy. He then chose films that pertained to contemporary issues, particularly the transition from pre-colonization and colonization into modern society.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Grassroots group aims to revitalize Diné Bizaad and encourage bilingualism through Shimá Storytelling.
Gallup Independent. November 15th, 2019. Christina Tsosie, Staff Writer.
GALLUP – Shimá Storytelling began with Radmilla Cody briefly informing attendees in the audience that taking photos and recording songs and performances by the trio – comprised of Cody, Pauletta Chief-Lee, and Stefanie Littlehat – was forbidden.
Anne Price of the Octavia Fellin Public Library Children’s Branch and their staff invited Shimá storytelling as their guests for Native American Heritage Month and Native Language Programming Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m..
Along with songs aimed at revitalizing Diné Bizaad, or the Navajo language, the group also hopes to promote awareness of consent. Continued after image.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Empowering Youth
Too often in this age – the age of social media – we forget that we need to ask permission to take photos or record sessions, said Cody, after all, it is their body, their choice.
“Not only do we want to empower youth by encouraging them to speak up against anyone attempting to capture their likeness or their actions, we also want to create a safe space for everyone so that they can be free to be themselves,” she said. “We’re very sensitive towards other people’s preferences – whatever those may be. This is something that we have done from the beginning.”
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
When Shimá Storytelling began their story in April, their goal was to bring their children together to socialize and play with one another while listening and speaking Navajo.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Gallup Solar will be at the Main Library on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the benefits of solar power and answer questions.
If you currently live without electricity, solar power could be the answer for you. Gallup Solar will explain how it can be possible to utilize this form of power, even in remote areas.
Join us to find out how.
Email mdchavez@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with us at Main Library from Monday, November 18th through Thursday, November 21st featuring films that are directed, produced, or written by Native Americans from various tribes and nations.
The films feature Native American historical context, comical context, and/or contemporary subject matter.
Trace the role of violence in and around Native American traditions. How common is land displacement and outright theft?
Runtime: 31 mins.
The Great Native American Civilizations (2005)
Explore the variety of civilizations in North America before European contact. Learn about the ways of life, government, economy, religion, and laws of the early Native Americans.
Runtime: 19 mins.
Warriors of Joy (2014)
Every Year in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mardis Gras Indian tribes gather on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day to celebrate their pride and joy.
Runtime: 7 mins.
Mud (Hashtł’ishnii) (2017)
On her last day, Ruby faces the inescapable remnants of alcoholism, family, and culture.
Runtime: 10 mins.
It’s Not Free: Part 1 (2016)
This film is dedicated to all past, present, and future WATER PROTECTORS!!! Stop the genocide of indigenous peoples and STOP the destruction of SACRED SITES.
Runtime: 5 mins.
Five Dollars (2016)
“Five Dollars” shows the ugly truth of the effects of colonialism on indigenous families on the reservations in the United States.
This film tells the story of Native Americans who are striving to revitalize their languages.
Runtime: 41 mins.
Native American Healing in the 21st Century (1999)
Provides a narration of many Native American ancient forms of healing and therapy and how they are now being embraced again and accepted by modern physicians and scientists.
Victor’s father left when he was a boy, and he now learns that his father just died, and his mother sends him to collect the ashes. He is only able to make the trip with Thomas’ help, however, and there is a condition that is difficult for him to accept: Victor must swallow his pride and take Thomas with him.
Runtime: 1 hr. 29 mins.
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy from YouTube.com
Join Octavia Fellin Public Library and special guest Jean Whitehorse at El Morro Theatre on Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m.
Amá is a feature-length documentary that tells an important and untold story: the abuses committed against Native American women by the United States Government during the 1960s and 70s: removed from their families and sent to boarding schools, forced relocation away from their traditional lands and involuntary sterilization.
Filmmaker Lorna Tucker features the testimony of many Native Americans, including three remarkable women who tell their stories including Jean Whitehorse who will be in attendance.
Included is a revealing and rare interview with Dr. Reimart Ravenholt whose population control ideas were the framework for some of the government policies directed at Native American women.
Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Main Library on Monday, October 14th by creating a beautiful dreamcatcher and other crafts. Dreamcatcher workshops will be at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.in the Main Library. other indigenous crafts will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Supplies will be provided.
Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy from YouTube.
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy from YouTube.
