Standing Rock & Beyond

Founded 2015

Program Overview

STANDING ROCK: November of 2015, Red Nation Celebration Institute partnered with Hawkwing, Inc. to bring several Native Youth of the ‘One Mind Youth Movement’ to Los Angeles. These young people led the inaugural Indigenous Women RISE Climate Change March held during Red Nation International Film Festival. These same youth were invited to sing an honor song at RNCI Red Nation Awards Show.

That same week, Robin LeBeau was the recipient of the RNCI ‘Edward R. Roybal Award‘ for her dedication and leadership with youth on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, presented to her at the RNCI Red Nation Awards. The Native youth who attended were members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Robin LeBeau (founder of One Mind Youth Movement), Jasilyn Charger, Jasilea Rose Charger, and Joesph White Eyes among others. Most of young people had never before seen the ocean, nor been on a plane, but they did a beautiful job –– their voices strong –– in leading the climate change march, and subsequently sang beautifully on the LIVE televised RNCI Red Nation Awards Show.

Upon returning home to North Dakota from Los Angeles, these same youth had a hand in establishing the first resistance camp against the Dakota Access Pipeline –– Sacred Stone –– in April of 2016. They would go on to petition the federal government for redress, running in relay nearly 2000 miles to speak face to face with the Army Corp of Engineers in Washington, DC. Their inspired action sparked the support of tribal leadership, and eventually Woke the World to the Resistance at Standing Rock, generating one of the biggest social movements of our time. This is an illustration of what can happen when you make a commitment to youth, and put serious time and energy into honoring their good work: inspiration and courage are strongly nourished –– and will prove to be contagious.

November 2016, Red Nation International Film Festival honored Standing Rock Nation and Chairman, Dave Archambault II at the RNCI Red Nation Awards. RNCI lead the very first conversation about Standing Rock to the entertainment industry at large during Red Nation International Film Festival. In addition, Red Nation International Film Festival screened a short film by filmmaker Josue Rivas. This film screened 44 times during the Festival and was the first film produced out of Standing Rock.

STANDING ROCK started with Native YOUTH when they were invited to lead the First Indigenous Women RISE March held Red Nation International Film Festival in Los Angeles – November 2015 and went on to organize the run to Washington DC to speak out against the Dakota Access pipeline. Native Youth Woke the World to Standing Rock & Beyond. Supported by our WOMEN, backed by our ELDERS & ANCESTORS.

National Endowment for the Arts
NoVo Foundation
California Community Foundation
National Endowment for Humanities

Support for the Standing Rock & Beyond

Standing Rock & Beyond is made possible through gifts, grants and sponsorships.

Give your support to Standing Rock & Beyond program.

Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles
Gavin White Empowerment Fund
Joanelle Romero
RNCI Board of Directors

RNCI Year-Round Program Calendar

The Red Nation Celebration Institute Programs focus on the specific development of storytellers from Native and Indigenous backgrounds, encompassing feature film and episodic work. Fellows will receive hands-on support from the Institute and advisors, including one-on-one feedback sessions and roundtable discussions.

Here is what President Obama said about meeting the Standing Rock youth during his speech before tribal leaders at the White House Tribal Nations Conference in December 2016:

AND SO MICHELLE AND I ENDED UP STAYING LONGER THAN WE HAD PLANNED, AND WE GOT A LOT OF HUGS IN, AND WE WALKED AWAY SHAKEN BECAUSE SOME OF THESE KIDS WERE CARRYING BURDENS NO YOUNG PERSON SHOULD EVER HAVE TO CARRY. AND IT WAS HEARTBREAKING. AND WE TOLD THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE SUCH EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG PEOPLE –- STRONG AND TALENTED AND COURAGEOUS — WE SAID, YOU’VE GOT TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELVES BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN YOU. WE WANT TO GIVE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG NATIVE AMERICANS LIKE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE. WE HAVE TO INVEST IN THEM, AND BELIEVE IN THEM, AND LOVE THEM. AND IF WE DO, THERE’S NO QUESTION OF THE GREAT THINGS THEY CAN ACHIEVE — NOT JUST FOR THEIR OWN FAMILIES, BUT FOR THEIR NATION AND FOR THE UNITED STATES.
President Obama