RED NATION CELEBRATION INSTITUTE Established in 1995, The first and largest National Native-led enterprise – Founded 1995 in Santa Fe New Mexico during Indian Market. Red Nation Celebration Institute is the longest standing American Indian & Indigenous multidisciplinary educational Arts & Cultural federally recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Los Angeles CA.

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: 

Red Nation Film Festival ~ The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema. Est. 2003. Los Angeles & New Mexico.

Native Women In Film & Television. Est 2005, became is own film festival in 2013. Los Angeles & New Mexico.

Red Nation Television Network ~ Native is Here. Est 2006. Before there was Netflix or Hulu – there was Red Nation TV. Global.

American Indian Heritage Month in the City of Los Angeles. Est 2006.

American Indian Heritage Month in the of New Mexico. Est 2008.

Native Youth Matter ~ If I Can See It I Can Be It. Est 2003. Global.

plus to many ground-breaking initiatives and events to name here ….

TODAY Red Nation Celebration Institute a leading American Indian entertainment entity and the longest standing Native Arts & Culture non-profit organization in Los Angels CA. 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

Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) was established out of a direct need. RNCI has its roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, produced during the famous Indian Market (1995 to 1997); 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, Red Nation moved to Los Angeles to be produced during the most important weeks of the music industry “The Grammy Awards Week.” In 2003, Red Nation Celebration “Concert Series” became an “Official Grammy Event” and went on to become Red Nation Celebration’s “Signature” Event. In 2005, Red Nation 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 20 years.

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.