Red Fork Native American Film Festival Expands to Include Powwow

Tulsa Community College hosts the annual Red Fork Native American Film Festival on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the TCC West Campus, 7505 W 41st Street South. The film festival presents a variety of independent films that showcase the work of Native American actors, directors and producers as well as films that focus on the experiences of indigenous peoples. New this year, the festival will include a powwow featuring Native American dancers.

“TCC is proud of its long-standing collaboration in hosting this event and engagement with the Native American community,” said Dr. Peggy Dyer, TCC West Campus Provost. “TCC ranks first among more than 2,000 community colleges in America for granting associate degrees to Native Americans and roughly one in ten of our students identify themselves as American Indian.”

The Red Fork Native American Film Festival is presented in association with the TCC Native American Student Alliance and the TCC Native American Studies Program.

The public is invited to attend the free festival and film screenings. This year’s event will feature “This May Be the Last Time” directed by Sterlin Harjo; “The Burden of Being” directed by Rod Pocowatchit; “Violet” directed by Mark Williams; “Playground of the Native Son” directed by Michael Nash and Celia Xavier; “The Adventures of Josie The Frybread Kid” directed by Mark Williams; and “Fancy Dancer” directed by J. R. Mathews. Film lengths range from feature length to 15 minutes.

The movie screening times are:

• 1:35 p.m. - “Playground of the Native Son”
• 3:45 p.m. - “Violet”
• 2:45 p.m. - “The Burden of Being”
• 4:30 p.m. - “The Adventures of Josie The Frybread Kid”
• 3:15 p.m. - “Fancy Dancer”
• 8 p.m. - “This May Be the Last Time”

The festival also features a powwow and art market. The powwow events begin at 2 p.m. with Gourd Dancing then Grand Entry at 7:30 p.m. followed by Intertribal Dancing. Nationally-acclaimed Native American artists will exhibit their work and demonstrate their skills. Dana Talbert is an award-winning basket weaver. Her work is displayed in exhibits at major museums and featured in galleries. Painter Dana Tiger is best known for her watercolors and acrylic works depicting the strength and determination of Native American women. Additional artists include flute maker Tim Maxville, painter Joseph Chamberlain, beadwork artist Michel Laudermilk, and storyteller and author Sequoyah Guess.

“The Red Fork Native American Film Festival is a celebration of Native American achievement and artistry,” said Steven Woods, TCC Associate Professor of Native American Studies. “We are excited to add a powwow to the festival activities this year. Our songs and dances generate good feelings about ourselves, our people and our culture. Sharing those feelings with others will really bring another level of celebration to the festival.”

For more information call (918) 595-8079 or see a schedule of events at Redfork.