Women’s History Month at National Museum of the American Indian in New York Features Short Films by Native Women Filmmakers

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center in New York will present “Breaking Barriers: A Women’s Shorts Program” as part of the “At the Movies” series. “Breaking Barriers” features seven short films by Native women filmmakers from the United States and Canada. Following the screenings, directors Sally Kewayosh (Cree/Ojibwe) and Katsitsionni Fox (Mohawk) will join moderator Audra Simpson (Mohawk), associate professor of anthropology at Columbia University, for a discussion. Kewayosh and Fox are screening the New York premieres of their films Three Young Ladies and Ohero:kon—Under the Husk.

“Breaking Barriers” is presented in cooperation with Women Make Movies and takes place Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the museum’s lower-level auditorium. Admission is free.

“Women-directed films represent critical artistic viewpoints in Native cinema, and increasingly women filmmakers are producing acclaimed, award-winning works necessary to today’s media landscape,” said Cynthia Benitez, museum film and video specialist. “This program highlights some of the many Native women who truly are making an indelible mark on the art form.”

Short Films Featured

Souvenir Project: Mobilize (2015, 2 min.)

Using footage from the National Film Board of Canada archive and set against a driving score by Tanya Tagaq (Inuk), filmmaker Caroline Monnet (Algonquin/French) describes the continuing drive of Canada’s aboriginal people over land and time.

Nous Nous Soulèverons (We Will Rise Up) (2015, 4 min.)

In an inspired text, poet Natasha Kanapé Fontaine (Innu) invites viewers to rise up to bring light to the world. Shown in French with English subtitles.

Advice to Myself 2: Resistance (2015, 5 min.)

This powerful poem presents a visual and verbal collaboration between author Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), her poet sister and the film’s director, Heid E. Erdrich (Ojibwe), and artist Elizabeth Day.

Samantha Crain Talks Identity, Politics and Empathy (2016, 7 min.)

Director Allison Herrera (Salinan) presents a portrait of Choctaw singer and songwriter Samantha Crain. 

Three Young Ladies (2015, 31 min.)

Three little girls living with cystic fibrosis (CF) share their stories of support from their families and community. Directed by Sally Kewayosh (Cree/Ojibwe).

The Grandfather Drum (2015, 12 min.)

This unique animation follows the story of Naamowin’s drum, revered for its healing powers by the Anishinabek of the upper Berens River. Directed by Michelle Derosier (Anishinaabe); shown in English and Anishinabemowin with English subtitles.

Ohero:kon—Under the Husk (2016, 27 min.)

Follow the journey of two Mohawk girls on their challenging path toward becoming women over the course of oheró:kon (under the husk), a four-year rites-of-passage ceremony. Directed by Katsitsionni Fox (Mohawk).

All screenings may be subject to change. “At the Movies” is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

About the National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center is located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at One Bowling Green in New York City. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu. Follow the museum via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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