November 12, 2012
For Immediate Release

University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Jim Rayburn (801) 863-8504

As part of American Indian Heritage Month, Utah Valley University will host screenings Nov. 27 of three documentaries that are produced by and are about American Indians.

UVU is one of five Utah hosts, and the only Utah County location, for documentary screenings of the 2nd annual American Indian Film Festival, sponsored by the Utah Education Network.

“As part of the UVU Native American Initiative, we are always looking for ways to educate the community and help overcome stereotypes,” said Ken Sekaquaptewa, Native American specialist at UVU’s Multicultural Center. “When the opportunity came for us to partner with UEN on this film festival, we saw it as an excellent way to engage the community with films that could enhance people’s knowledge of issues dealing with today’s indigenous peoples.”

The screenings are free and open to the public. All three documentaries will be shown in the UVU Library auditorium, room 120:

- “Reel Injun,” a film that examines Hollywood depictions of American Indians, from silent films to today, is directed by Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge and Jeremiah Hayes. It shows at noon and 3 p.m.

- “Apache 8,” about an all-woman Native American team of firefighters from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, is directed by Sande Zeig. It shows at 1 and 3 p.m.

- “Miss Navajo,” directed by Billy Luther, follows 21-year-old Crystal Frazier as she competes in a pageant celebrating traditional Navajo culture and language. It shows at 2 and 5 p.m.

“Since November is Native American Heritage Month, these films provide an excellent forum to understanding other perspectives about what American Indians have endured and continue to endure throughout history. It also gives our own Indian students a chance to further connect to their Indian culture,” Sekaquaptewa said.

For more information about the film festival, the documentaries and Native American Heritage Month, visit www.uen.org/amerindfilm.

“Reel Injun” poster

“Apache 8” poster

“Miss Navajo” poster

“Miss Navajo,” Crystal Frazier

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About UVU

Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and is home to more than 30,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community school, state college and, finally a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees, with emphasis on undergraduate education.