Would you like to pursue a career in the film industry? Work behind the scenes directing, producing, lighting, and more.
Here is your chance to showcase your talents with a Young Adult Book Trailer Competition. We will be hosting workshops in scripting, videography, editing, and more!
Book trailers will be showcased at the end of the competition and prizes awarded.
The registration deadline is January 31st, 2020 and is available down below. Competition is for anyone ages 13-18 and begins February 1st through April 4th, 2020.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.
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.
Diné artist Jerry Brown finds inspiration in traditions, upbringing
Gallup Independent. November 19th, 2019. Vida Volkert, Staff Writer
GALLUP – The sight of a nun walking down Thoreau’s NM Highway 371 with an acoustic guitar strapped to her shoulder is one of the reasons Jerry Brown changed the course of his life.
Brown, now a successful artist from Mariano Lake, had dropped out of high school and had no direction. In his own words, “I was too wild.” He had spent a few years in different boarding schools in the area, a school in Utah and public schools in Thoreau, Wingate and Crownpoint. Continued after Image
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
‘Too wild”
“I started the public school, but I didn’t like it there and walked back to the house.” he said
It was around 1988 when Brown saw the nun walking down the street in Thoreau. The nun was “Sister Michelle.” She was the principal of St. Kateri Tckakwitha school in Thoreau, which later became St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Brown remembered the school was known as “the academy,” and it was a small campus. He was so intrigued by the sight of Sister Michelle walking with her guitar that he decided to visit the school.
“They put me in 10th grade. I met all the teachers. They came from all walks of life. They were missionaries that were doing the good thing for the natives,” Brown said.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Library serves up a colorful concoction: Mocktails and Coloring
Gallup Independent. November 18th, 2019. Vida Volkert, Staff Writer.
GALLUP – Josh Whitman was making non-alcoholic mojitos with club soda instead of rum, and Shirley Temple with grenadine syrup and lime juice during a mocktails-and-coloring event at the Octavia Fellin Public Library Saturday.
On the table, next to the cups, syrup, ginger ale, ice cubes, and mixers, Whitman had a spread of designs and colored pencils. On another table behind him, Whitman had a set of speakers and was streaming indie music on Spotify.
“Coloring is one of the things you can do and not stress about it.” Whitman, the library’s experiential learning coordinator said. Continued After Image
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
‘Creative Expression’
“I have 14 different designs for them to choose from, and three different cocktails – I call them mocktails. The holidays could be stressful time of the year when people are shopping.” he said. “This is a free of stress and gives them a nice creative outlook to creative expression.”
Danielle Leekity, 32, and her children Anjelica, 11 and Jacob, 5, learned about the activity on Facebook and decided it was a good way to spend their Saturday in Gallup. The mother and her two children were sitting next to each other on an adjacent table and were coloring while enjoying their drinks.
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
“My daughter is very artistic. She has pastels at home and taught herself how to draw,” Leekity said. “We usually come her for the events. Everybody says it gives children something to do but it is also for the families. a relaxing wat to spend the weekend. We go to the ArtsCrawl every month. The fun part about this area. everything is within walking distance.”
Newspaper article featured in Gallup Independent. Scanned 11.22.2019 by OFPL Staff member, Joshua Whitman.
Join us at Children’s Branch on Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 p.m. for an afternoon of magical brewing as we brew our very own consumable potions inspired by the Harry Potter franchise.
Continuing our very own journey through the wizarding world we will brew potions such as Felix Felicis (Liquid Luck), Amortentia (Love), and a Beautification potion. *Brewable potion ingredient list below.*
Watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as we brew our potions.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy from YouTube.
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.
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
Whether you’re a chess expert or new to the game, join us at Children’s Branch on Tuesday, November 5th and November 26th at 4:00 p.m. to learn chess moves and strategies.
Meet others who love the game and make connections! Refreshments provided.
Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call 505-726-6120 for more information.
