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Native Americans Take Control of Their Story
Native American Public Telecommunications brings audiences accurate
cultural portrayals
By Susan Logue Koster, VoA News
February 14, 2011 - Washington, D.C. -
For decades, films and television shows almost always portrayed
American Indians as stereotypes. The stories were written and produced
by white Americans. In 1977, Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT)
was founded to bring audiences native stories and accurate portrayals of
the culture.
Taking control
Shirley Sneve heads the organization. She is a Lakota, a member of
the Rosebud Sioux tribe, who grew up in Flandreau, South Dakota. One of
her earliest and most lasting influences was her mother, who has written
and published more than 20 children’s books about Native Americans.
"When I was growing up my mother was always telling stories and she
wrote all the time," says Sneve. "It was something that was always
important to our family to understand our history, where we came from,
and how we relate as natives in today’s world.”
Sneve studied journalism, and became a storyteller herself. "Unlike
my mother, who created stories out of her head, I liked to tell stories
about other people."
But these days, Sneve mostly helps other people tell stories as
executive director of NAPT, one of five groups created to increase the
diversity of voices on American public television.
"It can’t just be about Indians, it needs to be by Indians, Native
Americans," says Sneve, who believes the authentic voice is important.
"There has been so much garbage out there over the years by non-Indians
that have perpetuated the stereotypes. You know the westerns and the
stoic Indians, even more contemporary projects. They don’t do us any
favors. We can tell our own stories better than anybody else. That is
why we are so forceful about involving Native Americans in the creation
of these documentaries."
Shedding light
Recent films that have received funding from NAPT have examined the
impact of politics and economics on tribal fishing, explored what it is
like to be a young Native American in the 21st century, profiled three
young Lakota women who reconnected with their incarcerated father.
Another revealed the little-known history of the original code talkers,
members of the Choctaw tribe who transmitted secret tactical messages in
their native language during World War l.
Sneve says many of NAPT’s documentaries have been broadcast by other
U.S. television stations, and some have been shown in other countries.
They are also for sale on the organization’s website.
Some films, like the multi-part historical series, "We Shall Remain,"
include sections in native languages. Sneve would like to see more films
done that way.
"It is through our languages that we speak to the creator and our
ceremonies are still conducted in the native languages, and it brings
meaning to culture for us to be mindful of our language. And I don’t
think it limits our audiences. We do have to put English subtitles on
there, but it shows that Native people and their cultures are still
alive and vibrant and that the languages are used in our everyday
lives."
Spreading the word
In addition to film, Native American Public Telecommunications has
funded radio programming, but in this changing media world, Sneve says
she would like to be able to support some interactive programs on the
web.
"The hour-long documentary is not the best way to go sometimes to
communicate your message. People are busy. There are so many
entertainment options right now."
That makes it harder to get an audience, she says, especially with young
people, who are more likely to get their information and entertainment
from computers and mobile devices. But for now, Sneve is thankful to be
able to bring Native voices and stories to television.
On the Web
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