"it meant alot to me, thank you so much for these wonderful gifts."
We would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to make of this video/documentary production for their donation of their time, resources, and contribution, without these individual none of this would have been successful, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Tony Estrada, Melissa Henry, Alfredo Perez, Shonie and Andi De La Rosa, Joyce Calvitti, Gina Giambuzzi, Connie Montez, Brenda Soullire, Karen Tsinnie, Lloyd Albert, Rodney Loonsfoot, Dale Waseta, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation, Broadcast Rental of Tempe, T.C. Tso of the Navajo Tribal Government Public Relations Office. Gregg Duran, Manager of Safeway Stores of Holbrook, Super 8 on Kasper Drive in Flagstaff, The Blackfeet Tribe for their $10,000 donation to this cause, and Terry and Percy Piestewa, Thank you.
The following veterans, this project is totally dedicated to our Native American Veterans, people take time to appreciated your tribal veteran, recognize them every chance there is for it is them who gave us our freedom! Glen Douglas, Johnny Holt, Arnold Holt, Rich Barea, Renae Penaush, Carolyn Shaw, Diane Nickaboine, Antoinio Pingree, Martin Blackburn, William Goggles, Lisa Jackson, Bill Williams, West Martin, Paul Revere Sr., Paul Revere, Jr., Joe Naerquonake, Stan Lomayesva, Irving Pinkhum, Joe Jay Pinkhum, Phillip Corky Ambrose, William T. Burns, Milton Guenther, David Robbie, Charles Secade, Jr., Buddy Hoptowit, Warren Wilbur, Merlin Jay Renville, Justic Chanku, John B. Feather, Tim Vigil, Kevin Kickingwoman, Keith Heavyrunner, Benjamin Wright Sr., Perry Lufkins, Jim Large, Clyde Epps, Jr., Jacob Mamm, Dennis White, Victor Wood, Larry Lewis, David Mann, Loren Corpus, Manuel Shrue, Kee Tsinnie, Antoinette Wilbur, Richard Ross, Arnold Lano, Stephan Todachiny, Mathew Shale, James Loonsfoot, Virgil Loonsfoot, Joseph Dowd, John Jacker, Walter Running Crane, Edward Viloria, Jr., Jerry Headley, Rodney Loonsfoot, Victory Ganuelas, Sr., Robert Wahpat, Lila Ambrose, Cardenas Redsteer, Richard Wilkie, Floyd Morrison, Barry Porter, George Mihelich, Danny Jenkins, Rueben Jenkins, Irving Jenkins, Ernie Bread, Kermit Bread, Clifton Oppenhein, Jr., Irene Mizell, Lorna Edge Onsel, Verne McLeod, Leonard Rodriquez, Jackie T. Singer, Mike Reed, Jim James, Bob Ross, Thedo Underwood, Clement Yelloweyes, Verle Hatch, David Fryberg Sr., David Fryberg, Jr., Gene Zackuse Jr., Myron Fryberg Jr., Mike Dunn Sr., Richard Muir Jr., Dale Peters, Jim Therman, Ron Adams, Loretta Metoxen, Russell Metoxen, Roy Metoxen, Ted Chrisjohn, Raymond Mitchell, Roy Williams, Phil Dan, Joe Jones, Bobby O'Daniel, Jones Delgai, Armand Fritz, Jay St. Goddard, Fred Guardipee, all veterans out there we send our love and appreciation. our prayers to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Sincerely,
Karen Tsinnie of Asdza Shash Productions
News
There was a little over 100 hundred veterans at the hotel in Flagstaff, each one was taken into an in-depth interview. I am very fortunate to be apart of this document and to hear their stories, their experience, makes you proud of the Native American Veterans and gives me an extra reason why I'm so involved in thier benefits and recognition.
Working with George Atcheyum and Lorrie Church and Tony Estrada was well worth every leg ache I had towards the evening. (ha ha). They are very professional people and gives me a bonus to my life experience, really getting to know these individuals is a gift. I'm so glad Lloyd (Guyz) got to be there to work with me. Together we were a team. I look forward to the Documentary "America's Warriors" being on PBS.
I enjoyed hanging out with the veterans, listening to their fish stories, where the most beautiful native woman are (I thought that was a cute story), their jokes, and mostly thier prayers and ceremonies brought to this project. I appreciate the prayer feathers and medicine bundles I received from the veterans, it meant alot to me, thank you so much for these wonderful gifts.
Inconclusion I send my appreciation to Lorrie Church and George Atcheyum for their dedication and belief in assisting our Native American Veterans, I look forward to working with them in Canada. Working with Tony Estrada was my extra bonus, I look forward to joining up with him on his next project in New York. I also enjoyed my visit with the Piestewa Family as well.
On The Pow Wow Trail
THE TAPING OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS VIDEO WAS AWESOME!
Written by Megan Clare Johnson,
"On The Pow Wow Trail" is a story about an eighteen-year old Native American boy and his adopted white brother who elave their reservation to go on the road and travel the summer pow wow dance circut to raise money for college.
A story that touches, but does nto dwell on prejudices on both sides of the reservation boundaries. On the Pow Wow Trail tells of the quiet dignity, humor and deepy rooted tradition that bind an often forgotten people in North American society together.
Throughout, facing trials and the challenges of being on their own for hte first time, Louie and Joe embrace the universal theme of broherhood and being best friends, even while they realize that their lives are on a collision course with their cultural diversity.
To be filmed in and around Arizona beginning in April 2006, Asdza Shash Production will be on set with "On the Powwow Trail" which will capture the rich texture of sights and sounds of Native American culture while telling the very human story of two brothers in ways that have rarely been done in the past.
As background, to quote Megan Clare Johnson;
“Native American powwows are yearly events that attract thousands of people who come to celebrate with old friends and watch the fierce Indian dance competitions. Dance champions are considered community heroes, Indian pro-athletes and modern day warriors.
There are many types of Indian dancing. This screenplay focuses on two different types – traditional and fancy dancing. Traditional dancing is the oldest form of Indian dancing and it is the one the elders prefer. It’s stateful and graceful. Fancy dancing is very popular among the young people (who have embraced the hip-hop culture). Fancy dancing is very athletic, acrobatic and fast.
All the dance outfits are distinctive and extremely elaborate with feathers, beads, bells and bustles. They take months to make and are worth thousands of dollars. These outfits are a reflection of the dancer and their heritage. Men beat drums and sing as competitors swirl and dance at once in an arena with thousands of people watching.”
Dic Minnick, CEO of MFT World Entertainment, who will also take the role , Executive Producer fell i love with the script from the first time that he read it. Through his years of friendship and respect for the Native American people, Mr. Minnick realizes that this is a story that has to be shared with the world.
North America’s top commercial directors, Philip turned his attention to drama, directing Hallmark Entertainment’s highest rated 22 million dollar epic 2 night mini-series Voyage Of The Unicorn starring Beau Bridges - receiving Emmy, Gemini and DGC nominations. Philip’s first Canadian feature as writer and director was Once In a Blue Moon , which received the International Family Film Award at Cannes. Soon after he helmed the international success The Duke for Keystone and Disney. In addition to episodic television, Philip directed highly rated features for Showtime Entertainment - Ronnie and Julie starring Josh Jackson and Terri Garr, as well as Big and Hairy starring Richard Thomas as well as numerous commercial projects around the world.
A much love and respect, Robert "Tree" Cody, joins the production as both a technical adviser and talent scout. He will be playing the role as "Uncle Larry". Robert "Tree" Cody, native american flutist, dancer, educator and actor has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Scandinavia, the Untied Kingdom, East Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico. As a traditional dancer, 6 ft 10 in, 'Tree" as he is called by relatives and friends, is very active on the pow wow circuit today as a northern traditiona dancer and sometimes a arena director or master of ceremonies.
"SYNOPSIS"
"Turquoise Rose"
with Natasha Johnson
Turquoise Rose is a coming-of-age story about a Navajo girl from Arizona. Raised in the suburbs of Phoenix, “T” now attends the local state university and aspires to be a savvy photojournalist. She even has plans to vacation in Europe for the summer with her roommate, but all that changes in a heartbeat when her grandmother falls sick. Turquoise is asked to care for her ailing grandma, and suddenly Turquoise must choose between Rome and the Reservation. A “Rez” summer seems horrible to this urban Indian, who is ready to discover the world behind the lens of her camera. However, something deep inside her won’t let her fail her grandmother. She heads off for her summer vacation, embarking on a journey just a tad west of Europe, to Navajoland. Discovering her roots in her grandma’s hogan is reminiscent of Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel San his ancient karate. Two worlds collide when Turquoise meets a Rez boy named Harry. He shows her the Rez while she gives him hope of a beautiful future, and together they face the reality of losing a loved one and the joys of finding that special someone. The summer comes to an end and Harry and Turquoise find each other once again on opposite sides of Arizona. Now they must continue where they left off before they ever met, or find a way to make their worlds reunite and ultimately become one.
PHOENIX--Popular weatherman, Al Roker of the NBC "The Today Show" was in Phoenix filming his "Lend a Helping Hand" program on the early morning of April 18, 2006 while giving the weather report on the nationally televised "The Today Show." The 58-year old Phoenix Indian Center was selected for its outstanding work in the community to assist the local Indian population with needed social services. The Indian center was one of four selected from around the country this year by Roker for the recognition.
The Phoenix Indian Center received over $60,000 worth of materials donated by various national companies including boxes of cereal, cases can goods, arts and crafts for children, crayons, office supplies, 250 backpacks, 500 T-shirts, 100 caps, two computer laptops, and a 2006 Chrysler Grand Caravan SUV and more. Over 100 people show up at the center at 3:00 AM to welcome Roker and to celebrate the Phoenix Indian Center's good fortune. Many showed up in their traditional regalia to give Roker a glimpse of the Native culture.
The "Lend a Helping Hand" project is twofold, says Roker, "it's to first help with providing materials and needed supplies for a non-profit organization that helps in the community and second to spotlight their efforts." Roker stayed with the crowd for the entire four hours signing autographs while filming the show.
At 4:00 AM the program went live on the East coast and continued with 6 four-minute live reports from Phoenix for 3 hours up to 7 AM when the program came on air in Phoenix by delayed broadcast. The show included an interview with Patti Hibbeler, CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center, short segment about the services the center provides and several crowd shots. At on point, the Phoenix Oyate Drum group took center stage as dancers circled the drummers with Roker taking part.
Various individuals in the crowd gave to Roker a bolo tie, a painting, a Kasina carving and other items to show their appreciation for recognizing the Indian center. Miss Hopi, Jessica Onsae gave Roker a Hopi designed pendant and also invited him to Hopi.
"This is tremendous," said Hibbeler as she hugged Roker. "It means the world to the center. Thank you for helping us."
Many times, Natives come to Phoenix searching for jobs and opportunities they can't find in their traditional home communities on the Reservations commented Patti Hibbeler, CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center. "As more and more Native people are coming from the Reservation to the urban areas, it's a foreign environment for them," she said on camera, " they are used to being around their own Native community and they need help and assistance to acclimate to the urban area."
The Phoenix Indian Center provides the “bridge between the traditional home life and the hustle-and-bustle of urban life” says Hibbeler. The center provides services in employment training; education programs like tutoring services, GED programs, career counseling; social services in life skills counseling, mental health counseling and stress management; along with Native language classes.
For more information about the Phoenix Indian Center, call 602-264-6768 or visit web site: www.phxindcenter.org
