RED NATION CELEBRATION INSTITUTE
Established in 1995, Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) 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 Authentic Voice of American Indian and Indigenous storytellers, our mission is in promoting, advancing, advocating and empowering independent film and filmmakers, media artists and content creators in all media platforms.
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 is a year-round nonprofit arts & culture organization based in Los Angeles CA and New Mexico, founded by Joanelle Romero in 1995 during the famous Indian Market in Santa Fe NM.
Projects and programs include:
The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema. Est. 1995. Los Angeles & New Mexico.
Est 2003, became is own film festival in 2009. Los Angeles & New Mexico.
Native is Here. Est 2006. Predating Netflix or Hulu – there was Red Nation TV. Global.
Est 2015 and in 2020 RNCI NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS CREW DIRECTORY WENT WORLDWIDE
Creating Systemic Change through Film & Television
The program is led by Red Nation Celebration Institute with Global partners, it’s a pathway that focuses on entry-level, behind the camera, below-the-line opportunities for Native and Indigenous talent.
Native Indigenous Film Commission (s) in the State of New Mexico and the State of California.
American Indian Heritage Month in the City of Los Angeles
Est 2005 officially by the City of Los Angeles and was officially recognized by the State of California in 2006.
American Indian Heritage Month in the of New Mexico
Est 2008 was officially recognized by the State of New Mexico
Native Youth Matter
If I Can See It I Can Be It. Est 1995. Global.
Plus to many ground-breaking initiatives and events to name here ….
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 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 2020 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.
