Native Youth Matter – If I Can See It I Can Be It is a native youth program of Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) founded in 1995. Its a community of out-reach programs that build strong and healthy relationships with Native Youth on Reservations and in Urban communities through film, music, dance, sports and the arts, and international
relations in Cultural Bridging. Its a prevention educational program designed to support Native youth empowering them to tell their own stories.
RNCI NATIVE YOUTH MATTER PROGRAM, established in 1995, is one of our oldest programs representing a strategic intervention into the lives of at-risk, often hard-to-reach Native youth. Peer-pressure, linguistic and cultural isolation, reluctance to access services and resources, and environmental stressors often place Indian youth at high risk for truancy, delinquency and gang activity. Especially for high school drop-outs and tribal youth who have developed substance abuse problems.
#RNCILeadForward: Native Youth Matter – Native Youth FILMS is part of a larger RNCI strategy to develop a community of Indigenous media-makers. Through all of our activities we are continuously developing a year-round educational, informational and collegial network. Through the Native Youth Matter Program we are inspiring, engaging the involvement of the next generation.
Since 2003 – Native Youth FILMS annually screens ABC “Dreamkeeper” as part of our Cultural Bridging Program bringing together under-privileged and privileged youth in and around the city & county of Los Angeles.
In 2014, we worked with PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) in where native youth came together to film and interview celebrities on Red is Green Carpet at RNCI Red Nation Awards. This year’s program was designed in developing young filmmakers who have an interest in filmmaking and journalism.
In 2013, Red Nation Film Festival (RNFF) partnered with our dear friend JR Cook’s organization Unity Inc., 1200 native youth from throughout the U.S. participated in the Unity Conference held in Los Angeles. During the conference RNFF held two workshops lead by actor Zahn McClarnon and actor/filmmaker Joanelle Romero.
Success Stories: RNCI helped from “Help the Earth” with its founder in producing the first First Environmental Youth Summit in Los Angeles, this native youth organization worked with over 275 indigenous and non-indigenous youth from all over the Los Angeles area. The founder of ‘Help the Earth’ went on to win the first YEA Award from the United Nations in Outstanding contributions to UN’s Millennium Development Goal #Seven, Received Award from the Los Angeles Community College District board of Trustees for its tireless work in in environmental issues affecting mother earth, received recognition in Los Angeles City Hall from all district leaders, and was invited to join Jane Goodall in Africa, in which Help the Earth founder made a film.
HISTORY
RNCI has produced ‘Native Youth Matter Programs’ and ‘Native Youth FILMS’ since 1995. Our Partners over this 22 year leagacy have been Jane Goodall Institute, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Help The Earth, Stars in the Desert, American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco), Southern California Indian Center, United American Indian Involvement, Sherman Indian High School, Calmont School, San Pedro Mid-School, I.A.I.A., UCLA University (Indian Studies), USC University (Indian Studies), CSUN University (Indian Studies). IN addition RNCI board of directors throughout the years have traveled to different reservations across the country with workshops designed to support native youth.
These fine organizations mentioned above have contributed in providing classrooms, Native and non-native Youth, Native Youth Films, International trips, Native youth have gain knowledge in learning how to be a producer, how to make a short film, internship, leadership stills, and some have gone on to having their films screened at Red Nation Film Festival and broadcast on Red Nation Television Channel-Native is Here.
Please visit here for more information and ways to help: http://rednationcele.org/native-youth-matter/
Native Youth Matter made possible through gifts, grants and sponsorships.
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Contact:
Red Nation Celebration Institute
Linda Tenequer
O) 818.665.5753
E) rednation@rednation.com
