The Way We Connect with the World: Indigenous Film & Concert Event
The Films
‘ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek),’ 2024
Directed by Loren Waters (Cherokee Nation, Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma)
In order to revitalize cultural traditions, a Cherokee elder fights to restore the “irreversibly damaged” Tar Creek.
‘The Language of Ribbon,’ 2024
Documentary short
Directed by Tia Panther (EBCI)
Appearances can say a lot, but for women in a small community located in the mountains of North Carolina, a single article of clothing is worth a thousand words.
‘The Great Cherokee Grandmother,’ 2024
Narrative short
Written and directed by Anthony Sneed (EBCI)
A pleasant date between a man of Cherokee heritage and a Caucasian woman goes downhill when the woman flagrantly fixates on the very bane of Cherokee peoples’ existence: the Cherokee Grandmother syndrome.
INHABITANTS, 2021 | Trailer
A selection from the feature documentary
Directed by Costa Boutsikaris and Anna Palmer
INHABITANTS is a feature documentary that follows five Native American tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests, and prairies as they restore their traditional land management practices.
‘Mothertown,’ 2024 | Trailer
Documentary short
Directed by Anthony Sneed (EBCI)
The site of the original settlement of the Cherokee, the Kituwah mound, was thought lost for centuries. In her moving retelling of the efforts to reclaim the tribe’s land, former Chief Joyce Dugan and fellow tribe members foreground the spiritual, emotional, and social impact of Kituwah’s legacy. This is the story of how the Cherokee finally took their “land back.”
‘My Home, NC | Cherokee culture meets modern fashion,’ 2023
Documentary short
Production, editing, and cinematography by Brooks Bennett
Follow Luke Swimmer (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) on his path from powwow dancer to designer with Buffalotown Clothing.
Live Music by Agalisiga Mackey (Cherokee Nation)
Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey is a Cherokee guitarist/musician and singer-songwriter from the Cherokee Nation in Northeast Oklahoma. Chuj spent the early years of his life growing up on a creek bank in the small traditional Cherokee community of Kenwood. Chuj then moved to Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation capital, to become a language learner at the Cherokee Immersion Charter School.
Chuj grew up participating in traditional ceremonies, ceremonial songs being the foundation of his voice which he carries with him as he creates more contemporary music. Chuj writes and sings original country-folk and blues music in the Cherokee language. He is inspired by classic country/blues artists like Jimmy Rodgers, R.L. Burnside, Merle Haggard, etc. Cherokee life and culture also informs his music as he sings about both the struggles and joys of growing up in a Cherokee community.
Additionally, he has performed at various events including the Cherokee National Holiday, the grand opening of the Bob Dylan Center, and the Anvdvnelisgi album concert in Cherokee, North Carolina. His goal is to perpetuate the Cherokee language and culture. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Chuj is a graduate of the Cherokee Language Master Apprenticeship program, music educator, and a father to a son who he plans to teach both the Cherokee language and music to. He plans to release his first full-length album October 2024.
Storyteller Workshop with Filmmaker Loren Waters (Cherokee Nation, Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma)
In advance of The Way We Connect with the World, explore the realm of film and storytelling with ‘ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek)’ filmmaker Loren Waters (Cherokee Nation, Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma) at a Storytelling Workshop on August 1 from 1-4pm.
Open to aspiring filmmakers ages 15-22, with preference given to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, the immersive experience will give attendees valuable insight into the dynamic world of filmmaking, creativity, and collaboration.
This workshop is free for all and will be held in the Museum of the Cherokee People’s Multipurpose Room. Registration is required via online form.
Sgi (thank you) to our 2024 sponsors:
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