FAITA press release

First Americans in the Arts Honors Outstanding Film, Television, Theatre and Music Performances in 16 Categories at the Historic 15th Annual Awards CeremonyBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – On Saturday, April 14, 2007, First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) will present the historic 15th Annual First Americans in the Arts Awards Presentation honoring Native American Indians for their outstanding performances in motion pictures, primetime television, theatre and music in 2006. The event will include a reception and dinner along with the awards show, held at the Beverly Hilton, located at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The event will begin at 6:00pm with a reception followed by dinner, award show and featured entertainment.

The awards ceremony will give attendees a first-hand look at the star-studded Awards Presentation attended by leading film and television stars, both American Indian and non-Indian, including Mel Gibson and Rudy Youngblood of “Apocalypto,” Adam Beach (“Flags of Our Fathers” and new addition to the cast of NBC’s “Law & Order”), Grammy Award Winner Mary Youngblood, and many more.

Among this year’s recipients of a Trustee Award are Clint Eastwood’s Malpaso Production Company for “Flags of Our Fathers” and Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions for “Apocalypto.” Other award recipients include Actor, Activist and Folk Singer Floyd Westerman, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, Chickasaw actress Te Ata, who will receive a Legacy Award and Eric Schweig for Outstanding Performance in TV Movie/Special.

Wes Studi is this year’s Master of Ceremonies and Host. This often intimidating but charismatic and ruggedly handsome actor is best known for performances such as the fiercely angry Magua in “The Last of the Mohicans” and the title character in Walter Hill’s biopic, “Geronimo: An American Legend.” Studi has appeared in New Line Cinema’s “The New World,” TNT’s “Into the West,” Showtime’s “Edge of America,” and “Heat,” opposite Al Pacino. Popular comedian Charlie Hill will be on hand to highlight the all-time best and worst moments of FAITA award ceremonies with his unpredictable style of humor.

The event will feature traditional and contemporary dance performances, a musical performance by Outstanding Musical Achievement winner Mary Youngblood and Floyd Westerman will perform songs from his critically acclaimed new album. The evening’s entertainment is being sponsored by the Shakopee Mdewankaton Sioux Community from Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Founded in 1991, First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) is a nonprofit trust created to recognize, honor and promote American Indian participation in the entertainment industry. For more information or to receive an invitation, please call (310) 270-5388 or write to us at www.firstamericans.org.