Who We Are
Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) The Creative Enterprise by Natives Delivering to all People the Stories that Shape our World. Is the longest-running successful Native Women-Led Indigenous Media Arts and Cultural non-profit enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry and the first Indigenous non-profit funded by the City of Los Angeles. Serving over 575+ Native Nations in the U.S. and collectively on the planet 1200. Based in Los Angeles with an office in Santa Fe New Mexico.
Our Mission
Founded by Joanelle Romero in 1995 with the mission to break barriers of racism by creating systemic change through film television in all media in order to eliminate American Indian stereotypes. Our vision for the future of cinema and the arts is one in which Native Indigenous perspectives are authentically pictured, recognized, and valued in a way that promotes strong authentic Native identities, economic outcomes, equity, and wellness for our Indigenous communities.
Our Vision
We envision a world where systemic change is driven through the arts and media, amplifying the stories of American Indian and Indigenous filmmakers and communities. Through our innovative, year-round programs, initiatives, and events, we elevate visibility and craft narratives that reflect our identity as contemporary people. Collaborating with global partners and educational institutions, we harness diverse media platforms to inspire and educate, forging a future where our voices are heard and our stories lead the way.
Today
Red Nation Celebration Institute a leading Native and Indigenous entity, a nonprofit organization, is the longest-running, successful Native women-led, Indigenous media arts and cultural enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry – RNCI is the world’s most recognized American Indian performing arts, cultural, media, and educational nonprofit organization dedicated to American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations, representing music, actors, writers, directors, producers, and visual artists.
Red Nation Celebration Institute continued commitment supports excellence in education, self-esteem, healthy lifestyles, community building, economic development, empowerment and inspirational opportunities for native youth and women and has changed American society with its continued on-going programs in the arts, media, social justice, civic engagement, economic empowerment, research, training and international relations.
Red Nation Celebration Institute advocates on behalf of American Indian artists, performers, actors, directors, producers, writers as a liaison organization, promoting strong federally recognized artists including urban native communities as well as promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations, and people to the entertainment industry, arts, social justice, tribal nations, environmental and educational communities in Los Angeles and County, the State of California and world.
History
RNCI’s legacy is rich with cultural and cinematic excellence. Our leadership actively implements a vision for the future of cinema: one in which American Indian perspectives are authentically pictured, recognized, and valued in a way that promotes strong Native identities, economic outcomes, equity, and wellness for our communities. We deliver increased representation of Native and Indigenous peoples in popular culture, both in front and behind the camera with our Film Festivals, RNCI Crew Directory and Red Nation Television Network the first media streaming company, predating Netflix and others.
RNCI is the world’s most recognized American Indian performing arts, cultural, media, and educational nonprofit organization dedicated to American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations, representing music, actors, writers, directors, producers, and visual artists.
Red Nation Celebration Institute continued commitment supports excellence in education, self-esteem, healthy lifestyles, community building, economic development, empowerment and inspirational opportunities for native youth and women and has changed American society with its continued on-going programs in the arts, media, social justice, civic engagement, economic empowerment, research, training and international relations.
Red Nation Celebration Institute advocates on behalf of American Indian artists, performers, actors, directors, producers, writers as a liaison organization, promoting strong federally recognized artists including urban native communities as well as promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations, and people to the entertainment industry, arts, social justice, tribal nations, environmental and educational communities in Los Angeles and County, the State of California and world.
Each year, RNCI presents contemporary and traditional American Indian performing arts of diverse artistic disciplines in film and television, providing filmmakers with resources to further their careers in the entertainment and music industry and connect them to larger, global mainstream audiences. In addition, our educational programs presents positive role models from the arts and entertainment disciplines to under-privileged youth from urban and reservations, empowerment initiatives for women and girls, urban American Indian communities and supports students with creative hands-on training exposing them to resources they might not ever have.
RNCI HISTORY IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) founder Joanelle Romero is 15th Generation New Mexican, RNCI was established out of a direct need. RNCI has its roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, produced during the famous Indian Market (founded in1995); RNCI pioneered the music movement during Indian Market. In 1995 there wasn’t any contemporary American Indian music being performed, since inception of Indian Market. In 1998, RNCI produced the ‘Concert Series’ during the most important weeks of the music industry “The Grammy Awards Week.” In 2003, Red Nation Celebration Institute’s “Concert Series” became an “Official Grammy Event” and went on to become Red Nation Celebration Institute’s “Signature” Event. In 2005, RNCI launched the music scene on the Plaza during Indian Market week-end and now native music is being performed on the plaza. In addition that same year RNCI produced Red Nation Film Festival “On the Road” bringing native content to Santa Fe and the Red is Green Carpet Galas.
Due to Red Nation’s vision, native music is being heard throughout Indian Market. Red Nation inspired this music movement and now audiences can experience native music almost anywhere throughout the United States. Red Nation’s success is a revolution and presentation of Native music from all over Indian Country from within the communities urban to reservations. Red Nation was recognized as a groundbreaking concept and became a widely publicized event of national stature. Red Nation has successfully featured American Indian recording artists, Grammy winners and nominees, and has been a launching pad for numerous American Indian musicians who have been signed to labels since performing at Red Nation’s concerts over the last two plus decades.
RNCI established in 2008, The American Indian Heritage Month in the State of New Mexico with partners Governor Bill Richardson and NM Indian Affairs Dept.
RNCI established in 2015 the Native Indigenous Film Commission and the RNCI Crew Directory.
Red Nation Celebration Institute is an organization that preserves and records our heritage; an instrument for American Indians and non-Indians alike to erase stereotypes and replace them with positive representations that reflect the diversity of American Indian life and culture.
Red Nation Celebration Institute was established out of a direct need and today is an industry standard. In 1995, RNCI had its first roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, produced during the infamous Indian Market. RNCI partnered with Don Owen, executive director of Southwest Association of Indian Arts (SWAIA). RNCI pioneered the Contemporary Native Indigenous music scene during Indian Market (August 1995) at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre to a sold out audience. In 1995 there wasn’t any contemporary American Indian music being performed, since the inception of Indian Market.
In 2008, RNCI founder worked alongside Former Governor Richard Richardson and the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department in establishing for the State of New Mexico the “American Indian Heritage Month’.
In 2009, RNCI launched the first Red Carpet and Native Music on the plaza during Indian Market.
In addition that same year RNCI produced the Red Nation Film Festival “On the Road” bringing native cinema to Santa Fe.
Today, the rich legacy of Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) during Indian Market (SWAIA) can be experienced throughout Indian market week, contemporary Native music, film festivals, red carpet galas, and music on the plaza.