Indigenous Film 2012 @Crossroads Screens Two Tonight

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

DENVER – The Denver American Indian Commission and the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management are partnering to present Indigenous Film 2012 @Crossroads, a monthly indigenous film series.

Tonight the program will present two documentaries: "Run to the East" and "Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk". The program (film & discussion) runs 6:30 - 8:45 pm at the Crossroads Theater @ Five Points.

The two films to be featured are:

Run to the East, directed Henry Lu, focuses its lens on three high school seniors who compete as cross country runners: Chantel "Tails" Hunt, Navajo, Thomas Martinez, Navajo, and Dillon Shije, Zia Pueblo. Through the year's track meets they compete against runners from more privileged schools as they vie for college scholarships and a chance to explore opportunities off the reservation. The film lets us see running not only as competitive sport, but as a spiritual aspect of their cultures that builds strength and resilience. The 2010 film runs for 87 minutes.

Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run//alk, directed by Derek Brown, Navajo, and Mattea Wellnitz, Cheyenne and Arapahoe youth run from the massacre site in Eads, Colorado to Denver in an annual commemoration of their ancestors that were brutally attacked and massacred on November 29th, 1864 by Colonel John Chivington and the 3rd Colorado volunteers. The film, like the event itself, raises awareness of this senseless tragedy so its story will not be forgotten. The film was made in 2008 and runs for eight minutes.

A post screening discussion will be led by Darius Lee Smith, Director, Denver Anti-Discrimination Office and long-time runner in his own right. Filmmaker Derek Brown (Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk) will be on hand for the post-screening discussion.

Run to the East Presenting 2 Documentaries