Day 3
November 4th
Eastern Time
Special Screening: Seed Warriors
Special Screening: Seed Warriors by Rebekka Schlichting
This special screening features the work of Rebekka Schlichting. In her film, she follows a group of seed keepers as they work to regain food sovereignty in their ancestral homelands of Nebraska. By reclaiming their sacred corn seeds, they seek to return to the healthy, traditional lifeways of the Pawnee people.
About the Speaker
Rebekka Schlichting
An enrolled member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Rebekka Schlichting is a filmmaker and owner of Native Storytelling Nation, LLC. In 2023, she directed, produced and wrote the documentary Seed Warriors, which will broadcast on Nebraska Stories and PBS Digital Studios on May 18. The world premiere was held at the world Indigenous Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand, and it is playing at various festivals in the U.S.
Rebekka is also an assistant professor of the practice at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications where she teaches writing, ethics, and a variety of video classes. She’s an adjunct for Nebraska Indian Community College where she teaches multimedia journalism. She co-directs the KU School of Journalism summer Native Storytelling Workshop for Native American high school students. She serves on the Lawrence Arts and Culture Commission, the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Culture Committee and heads the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Annual Powwow.
Rebekka served as the assistant director and interim director at Vision Maker Media where she managed, wrote and reviewed BIPOC film and multimedia grants, promoted Indigenous films and led filmmaker workshops and events. While at VMM, she was named “40 under 40” by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
Before her professional documentary work, she was an adjunct professor and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Nebraska's College of Journalism and Mass Communications. As an adjunct at UNL, Rebekka co-taught ‘Wounds of Whiteclay’ and is a recipient of the 2017 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. In 2019, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame Induction by the University of Nebraska Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. In graduate school, Rebekka directed the Sovereign Native Youth Leadership Academy at the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs. During her undergraduate career at KU, Rebekka debuted two short documentaries at the Vision Maker Media Film Festival and won First and Second Place for “Best Feature Story” in TV/Online by NAJA in 2014.
Rebekka graduated from KNS in 2010.
2nd Session: Indigenous Humor
2nd Session: Indigenous Humor
In this session, Navajo stand-up comedian Joshua Fournier, will talk about his career journey, including the challenges associated with building bridges across cultures with humor.
About the Speaker
Diné Comedian
Diné Comedian, Joshua Fournier, originally hails from the Navajo reservation, being born in Farmington, NM. Since he was raised in Albuquerque and being immersed in various Native American and colonial cultures, traditions, and history, Fournier loves to address the tensions between different cultures. Fournier’s comedy is descriptive, untamed and surreal.
Fournier has showcased his performance all throughout the western region from Seattle, WA to El Paso, TX. He has performed in local breweries, the Tempe Improv, at the University of Northern Colorado, and various casinos.
Fournier’s accolades include being recognized as Albuquerque’s Funniest Comedian, Audience’s Best Choice, and Albuquerque’s Favorite Comedian.
If you don’t find Mr. Fournier headlining or opening, be sure to catch him having a silly time on social media.
Hózhó Things
1st Session: Connected North - Transforming Lives Through Technology
1st Session: Connected North - Transforming Lives Through Technology
In this session we will learn about Connected North, an initiative that provides live, interactive virtual learning experiences and access to educational resources for students and teachers in remote communities throughout Canada, many of which are First Nations communities.
About the Speakers
Jennifer Corriero
Recognized by Forbes in 2013 as an Innovative Rising Star in Education, Healthcare and Environment, Jennifer Corriero has designed and delivered youth engagement programs since 1999 when she co-founded TakingITGlobal. Jennifer earned her BA and Masters in Environmental Studies from York University and was appointed as Adjunct Professor by the Faculty of Health.
Jennifer Manitowabi
Jennifer is a PhD student her focus will be researching virtual learning environments. She has taught every grade and worked as a Principal, Education Director and Bus Driver. Above all she is the proud mother bear of 3 children. She has a passion for making education fun for all and loves sharing Ojibway culture and traditional teachings of the Obishikokaang Anishnawbek.
Jacob Bluecoat
Jacob Bluecoat is an Indigenous Swampy Cree member of Fort Severn, Ontario. Jacob has worked as an Education Assistant for 4 years at Fort Severn's elementary school, Wasaho Cree Nation School. He has built many healthy and meaningful relationships with many of his past co-workers throughout his position as an Education Assistant. In his free time, Jacob loves to research and study the art of assembling computers together, specifically 'gaming' computers. Jacob also loves the gym. Deadlifts, squats, and bench presses are his most favourite gym exercises!