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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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MUSIC EVERYWHERE
Monday 21 May @ 10:36:56 |
 May is American Indian month in Minnesota.
Martha Fast Horse: empowering the community
by DWIGHT HOBBES
Martha Fast Horse personifies the West African proverb (yeah, we thought Theodore Roosevelt said it first) about speaking softly while carrying a big stick. Her voice conveys a personable demeanor and conversational bent. Her stick is her impassioned devotion to social change – via television, that inarguably effective means of reaching the public.
One change she wants to make is in the image society has of Native Americans. “It’s important to show positive images,” she states. “Instead of the idea that we’re all criminals and other negative stereotypes. It’s important for other people to realize that about us.” She’s also concerned about how Native Americans see themselves. “There’s so little about us in the history books. And less on television, besides something like [Lone Ranger sidekick] Tonto.” When the topic turns to providing constructive influences for youth, Fast Horse switches into high gear, emphatically commenting, “They need to see themselves in a good light. And to know they can do positive things. I’ve had young girls come and help me produce “Wolf Spirit” (her Sunday program on MTN) and it gives them such a good feeling of accomplishment.” She sums up, “It’s all about empowering the community.”
Martha Fast Horse is real pleased that Fast Horse Productions has three shows going out this week over the Minneapolis Television Network (MTN).
On Wednesday, in partnership with MTN, she’ll welcome Syd Beane and his wife Becky Beane to “A Vision of Natives in Media.” It’ll be a conversation discussing the development and national organizing vision of Natives in Media & Technology Network (NMTN). Syd Beane is Senior Community Development Specialist for The Center for Community Change, a national entity dedicated to developing organizations that bring attention to social and political issues in low-income communities of all colors – including white. Becky Beane is Director of Wicoie Nandagikendan Urban Early Childhood Language Immersion Project (under The Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals. Says Fast Horse, “We will learn more about this vital to cultural preservation initiative.” That’s Wednesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. on MTN-Ch. 16 and viewers call up and give their two cents on the subjects discussed.
On Saturday, again in partnership MTN, she’ll host “In Honor of American Indian Month, A Celebration: Past-Present-Future.” The Who’s-who list of guest: Clyde Bellecourt (American Indian Movement); Francis Fairbanks (Minneapolis American Indian Center); Shirlee Stone (American Indian Development Corporation) and Norma Renville (Women of Nations). They’re all members of The Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors. “We’ll discuss the history of American Indian Month in Minnesota. Why and how it came to be. [And] what we the Native community hope to accomplish during this state-recognized time of celebration of the American Indian, now and in the coming years.” To give a change of pace (no matter of informative and interesting any discourse is, it’s refreshing to break up things up a little bit) the fine folk duo James Curry (that’s Brian Tischleder & Casey Fearing) will make an in-concert appearance. It’s a two-hour program, May 26 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. (MTN-Ch. 16).
The next night there’s her weekly airing of her talk show “Wolf Spirit” (yeah, I know, between all three shows, that’s a lot of talkin’ goin’ on, but, believe me, Martha Fast Horse has a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm you really want to experience).
Minnesota’s first Native American forum on TV (launched last October in collaboration with Women of Nations and the Native Girls Media Project. Says Fast Horse: “There is virtually no Native American programming. There needs to be a place in the media for Native Americans. This is a vision to be shared with the world.” No argument from me. (May 27, 6 P.M on MTN-ch.17)
So. Entertainment as activism: Got it here, courtesy of one Martha Fast Horse and Associates. Her website:myspace.com/fasthorseproductions myspace.com/fasthorseproductions.
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