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Older than America
New Native American Film Project

“I have chosen not to remain silent any longer about the issues we have on our native nation for my children and future generations of grandchildren.” - Georgina Lightning, Tribal Alliance Productions

"Older than America covers the root of the problem that caused our native nation to be in the state that it is today.” explains Georgina Lightning, actress and producer at Tribal Alliance Productions.

“The film exposes the reality of murder and violence that happened in the Indian boarding school system. It centers around a school run by the catholic church who thought it their God given duty to convert the heathen savage into decent Catholics who could become a functioning members of society. This was actually a continuation of the genocide that had already been going on since the invasion by the whites.”

Older than America is a mystery thriller feature. It is hoped the film will bring attention to issues that have come about as a result of Indian boarding school life. Lightning reflected on the recent tragedy at Red Lake in Minnesota, “I find it so bizarre that this tragedy just happened to take place in the state we will be shooting in and that facts that caused this tragedy are directly related to the content of our film. My father committed suicide a couple of months before I turned 18. He was very violent with abuse and self destructive behavior ever since he was released from Indian boarding school at 18 years old. On my 18th birthday, I too tried another attempt at committing suicide.”

Lightning survived her attempt and later found renewed meaning and purpose to her life through the birth of her first born. Years later, after completing higher education, including college, university and academy training, Lightning and her children live in California where they are all active in film.

Tribal Alliance Productions, a native owned firm, is producing the film. Funding from Native sources began with Audrey Martinez (San Manuel) and from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, other Tribes are also expressing interest in supporting the film. As a part of Tribal Alliance Productions, Georgina has also founded the nonprofit Native Media Network to recruit, promote, guide, and support Native Americans into the film industry in front of and behind the scenes.

Anti-Chief organizers ask for help from all Indian Nations throughout the U.S. in continuing their efforts by attending planned protests in Chicago on June 17th, the day before the NAES Powwow. April and May Board of Trustee meetings have been cancelled. "This issue impacts all Indian Nations", says Leonard Malatare, "We need your help!"
For more information contact Leonard Malatare or Christine Redcloud at NAES (Native American Educational Services) in Chicago at lmalatare@central.naes.edu or call 773.761.5000

Pictures taken: Board of Trustees meeting Nov10th at University of Illinois Urbana Campus

Top Picture; sign over bar reads - Honor your Past - Save our Chief

Bottom picture; sign by UI students reads - Honor the Chief, and the Tradition for which he stands

NAES College, Chicago, IL - On March 10-11 2004 a rally will be held at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana to support Native people and proponents working for equal justice for Native Americans at the university. The purpose of the rally is to advocate for the retirement of the "Chief Illiniwek." The Board of Trustees, which will meet on March 11 th, needs to hear the voices of as many people as possible, that a cartoon-like stereotypical image of a Native American dishonors Native people and the university, itself.

Charlene Teters, former student at the university, will speak at the rally. Charlene was featured in the film, " In Whose Honor ," which provides an excellent Native perspective on the Illiniwek issue. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in the events planned for March 10-11...

American Indians remain ridiculed

BY KEN PARISH PERKINS, Knight Ridder News Service

American Indians have been dissed so much, for so long, that to hear them complain about media images is to practically hear nothing at all.

It's as though an entire race of people is in the public domain for the taking, the imitating, he ridiculing. We can dress like them and act like them and talk like them and walk like them and even cheer them on.

Go Redskins. Go Seminoles. Go Chiefs.

Athletics scheduling garners criticism

A controversy is brewing between University officials and individuals in the community regarding the men's basketball team's reported plans to play the University of Illinois. Some feel the University of Illinois' nickname and its mascot are offensive. The hubbub constitutes the re-emergence on campus of the American Indian mascots issue. Law student Frank Silva and others presented University President Dave Frohnmayer with a resolution in the summer of 2002 asking the University to refrain from scheduling athletic contests with teams that use American Indian names and imagery without tribal oversight.
Silva said the resolution was signed by 240 law students, 25 law professors and current and former law school deans...