The inaugural Indigenous Arts festival kicked off this week at Fort Lewis College, and if Ginny Davis, head of the FLC theater department, has her way, it’s a festival that is only going to get bigger.
“I thought now’s the time to do this,” Davis said. “I think we’re getting in on this at a really great time because Native artists are really taking off and being recognized, which is really exciting. I kind of want us to be the place that is known for creating Native American artists, training Native American artists. I want people, when they need somebody, that we’re the place they come.”
The festival kicked off Thursday night with a fundraiser at the Community Concert Hall at FLC that featured Native American rapper Frank Waln as the keynote speaker. Money raised will go to the next festival, which will be held in 2020.
Along with events that include the theater department’s performances of “Resilience: Laugh, Cry, Persevere” and “I’m Native and ... and Teaching Disco Square Dance to Our Elders: A Class Presentation” and art reception, the English department will feature student filmmakers in a Native Shorts screening Saturday night.
Senior Clarence Cooley will be showing his short film “Rezpect to (Water)” at the screening. The subject of the film, Janice Thompson, talks about her experiences of growing up without water or electricity in the Navajo reservation and how that has affected her as an adult.
Cooley, from Shonto, Arizona, said the film was not a hard one for him to make because he knew where Thompson was coming from, having grown up in the same conditions. He said he made “Rezpect to (Water)” as a way to show how some people live.
“The main purpose of my video is to spread awareness that people on the Navajo reservation are still living in these conditions where they don’t have access to running water and electricity and that they still have to haul water,” Cooley said. “I think it’s important to spread awareness about various topics that are Native issues because a lot of people still don’t know about this; people don’t think that these kinds of things exist.”
Davis said this inaugural event was planned to be smaller than those in the future, so organizers could have a chance to iron out all the details. She said ultimately, she would love to see all FLC departments and the community participate in the Indigenous Arts Festival, and there are already people booked for 2020.
“I think it can become kind of a signature event. This is the place that this needs to happen,” Davis said, adding that the reception has been incredibly positive, and people have a ton of ideas for the next festival. “I think the 2020 one is just going to explode with events.”
katie@durangoherald.com
Indigenous Arts Festival
Friday, 1-2 p.m.: An hour with the artists: Native American rapper Frank Waln. Free for all Fort Lewis College students, FLC Mainstage, Theatre Hall.
Friday-Monday: Butoh Mexican Workshop with Diego Pinon. To register, call Ginny Davis at 247-7412, FLC Theatre Hall.
Saturday, 6-8 p.m.: FLC Native Shorts, with directors’ talk back. Free. Vallecito Room, FLC Student Union.
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Indigenous Artists’ Perspective: Juried Art Show Reception. Free. FLC Theatre Hall lobby.
Nov. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.: “Resilience: Laugh, Cry Persevere.” This evening includes the world premiere of “I’m Native and ... and Teaching Disco Square Dancing to Our Elders: A Class Presentation,” $16 adults/$10 students (with ID), FLC faculty and seniors. FLC Mainstage, Theatre Hall. Tickets available at Durangoconcerts.tix.com.
Nov. 4, 2 p.m.: “Resilience: Laugh, Cry Persevere.”
