Means, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer of his esophagus in July, attended the gala event with his wife, Pearl.
Since July Means has undergone extensive tomotherapy, an intensity modulated radiation treatment, at the Sunridge Medical Wellness Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, Means has participated in several traditional Indigenous ceremonies provided by Oglala and Navajo medicine men.
Means gained international fame as one of the most prominent American Indian Movement leaders during the 1970s. Since then, he has worked for American Indian rights and human rights throughout Indian Country and in other spots around the world.
From a press release:Red Nation Celebration announces film & tribute award winners for the 7th annual Red Nation Film Festival--The Authentic Voice of American Indian Indigenous Cinema. The awards were presented at the Red Nation Film and Tribute Award Ceremony, Tuesday Nov. 9th, at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA.
Red Nation tapped New Mexico sculptor artist Phillip Mangas Haozous, son of the late Apache sculptor artist Allan Houser, to create and design “The Red Nation Statuette” Phillip Mangas Haozous created the design in three dimensions--and the world-renowned statuette was born.
Outstanding performances and film awards on closing night including:
Red Nation Creates Film Award of Excellence Equivalent to the OscarRed Nation Celebration Entertainment is proud to announce the official Unveiling of “The Red Nation Film Award of Excellence,” equivalent to the Oscar on August 17, 2010 during Opening night ceremony of Red Nation Film Festival “On the Road” Red is Green Carpet Gala at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe NM.
Red Nation tapped New Mexico sculptor artist Phillip Mangas Haozous son of the late Apache sculptor artist Allan Houser to create and design “The Red Nation Statuette.”
For the very first time in the history of American film, Native actors, filmmakers, and producers have a coveted award equivalent to the well known “Oscar.” It symbolizes exceptional achievement and filmmaking excellence.Comment: The video below is mostly still photos and a few brief interviews. You can see the statuette at the 4:30 mark. It looks like one of Allan Houser's robed Native women in an Oscar-like stance.
There may be other claimants to the title of "Indian Oscar." The First Americans in the Arts gave out a sculpted award and I wouldn't be surprised if the American Indian Film Festival did too.
Pre-Oscar Screening for South Dakota AwarenessJoanelle Romero’s Red is Green Carpet Gala & Pre-Oscar Film Festival Screening is making news about Native American disaster hit by recent snowstorms….
Joanelle Romero, founder of Red Nation Film Festival, L.A.’s most prestigious American Indian independent film festival, will host a screening to benefit snowstorm disaster victims in South Dakota. Romero’s rep says the film festival is set for Thursday, March 4, 2010--three nights before the Oscars.
Romero states that “more than ever its time to reach out and give aid in our own country--our American Indian reservations.” Romero has been reaching out to famous friends and performers to join in and help bring national attention to this cause.
The film scheduled to screen is the award-winning film The Ghost Riders (director: V. Blackhawk Aamodt). The Ghost Riders is a spiritual journey into the heart of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The Ghost Riders opens up a door to the past, present and future of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest and harshest areas in the United States, and the people who struggle to survive there.
Keynote Speakers: Moses J. Brings Plenty of the Lakota Nation. A member of the Strong Heart Civil Rights Movement. He is a well-rounded Lakota man who has been standing strong for the rights and future of the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota people and their well-being.
Red Nation FILM LAB will be moderated by Red Nation Film Festival founder/actress Joanelle Romero and will speak on PSA campaign on how we can all make a difference and have a long-lasting sustainable effect.
Master of Ceremony: Ellen Snortland former president of the United Nations Association Pasadena chapter currently writes for the Pasadena Weekly & Huffington Post. Comment: Chaske Spencer seems to be an activist. He's shown up several times to speak for Native causes.
I could go to this event, since it's here in LA. But I don't know if I want to drive across town during rush hour.
RNFF honorees were presented at the Red is Green Carpet Gala A Night of Tribute Awards Ceremony on November 12, 2009 at Raleigh Studios. RNFF filmmakers’ awards were presented online January 28, 2010, at www.rednationfilmfestival.com. RNFF had five L.A. premieres, three Red is Green Carpet galas, 20th anniversary of George Harrison critically acclaimed Sundance Award-winning feature film “Pow Wow Highway” and a exclusive premiere of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”
Red Nation Film Festival is the largest and most prestigious celebration of the American Indian motion picture art form in Los Angeles and has positioned itself worldwide as the best venue for marketing American Indian & Indigenous Independent Films, including Native Women in Film & Television.
RNFF Award Winners:
Best Film The Twilight Saga: New Moon Director: Chris Weitz
Best Director The Ghost Riders Director: V. Blackhawk Aamodt
“Red Nation Activists Award”--Atossa Soltani, Director of Amazon Watch
“Red Nation Community Award”--Christine Padilla, Community Volunteer Lakota Nation
In attendance were: Edward James Olmos (actor); Josie Thomas, Head of Diversity, Senior VP (CBS Corporation); Jo Berlinger; director of Crude; Mitchell Anderson accepting on behalf of Atossa Soltani (Amazon Watch); RJ Joseph accepting on behalf of Leonard Peltier (activist); Christine Padilla (community volunteer); Disney ABC Television Group Frank B. Gonzalez; Chaske Spencer (actor/New Moon); Tinsel Korey (actor/New Moon); Alex Meraz (actor/New Moon); Rene Haynes (casting director); Zahn McClarnon (actor/Into The West); Gil Birmingham (actor/New Moon); Jackie Jacobs (Talent Group); Kimberly Norris Guerrero (Dreamkeeper); Elijah De Jesus (actor/Pearl); V. Blackhawk Aamodt (director/The Ghost Riders); Camille Manybeads Tso (director/In The Footsteps of Yellow Woman) to name a few.Joanelle Romero's Photos--On the Red is Green Carpet + Red Nation Film Festival
