Content not appropriate for children under 13 years

Lookout 32

Dramatic Short | Littlebear Sanchez

In the summer of 2023, after getting into trouble with tribal law enforcement, Kansas Rios arrives at the park ranger’s office in Nez Perce Reservation, Idaho to fulfill 3 months of community service. The Chief Park Ranger Mrs. Spotted Eagle informs Kansas about a position at a remote fire lookout that would require him to stay there for 3 weeks–day and night–and of course respect all tribal cultural protocols. She warns him that no one has been in that watchtower since the last lookout died under mysterious circumstances. Skeptical and looking to get out of the tribal community service as quickly as possible, Kansas accepts the position.

TRT: TBD

Release: 

Littlebear Sanchez

Producer
LITTLEBEAR SANCHEZ (Lipan Apache Band of Texas) is a Two-spirited filmmaker and founder of Wild Butterfly Productions. They have previously worked in productions for other short films, music videos and experimental films. Their focus is primarily creating a diverse cast and crew to create meaningful storytelling.

Sheila Rocha

Mentor
SHEILA ROCHA (Tarasco/Pure'pecha) holds a PhD from the University of Arizona in American Indian Studies, an MA in English with a minor in Native American Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing from UNO/UNK. She studied with Red Medicine author and specialist, Dr. Patrisia Gonzales. She served as the editor of Red Ink magazine and is the founding Chair of the first BFA Performing Arts Department in tribal college history at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe. She most recently worked with TMC casting companies providing multiple speaking roles for Native students and Indigenous community members in Northeast New Mexico.

Walt Pourier

Vice Chair

Walt is Oglala Lakota and created the logo for Urban Rez. He is Creative Director, owner of Nakota Designs Advertising Designs and Graphics. Executive Director of the Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.

lynn palmanteer-holder

Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, an Indigenous plateau woman of North Central Washington and member of eight of twelve Tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Lynn recently retired as inaugural Director of Tribal Government Affairs for Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the state’s oversight agency of 34 CTCs.  She is a highly accomplished professional that spans over 40 years. She is an experienced educator that has a demonstrated history across K12, post-secondary & higher education as a teacher, school counselor, superintendent, researcher, and professor. Also, she has diverse experience as an entrepreneur, Tribal leader and administrator. She is skilled in curriculum and program development, facilitating government to government relationships that led to formal partnerships between state institutions and Tribes developing custom programs. Lynn has served on many boards and has been recognized for various statewide, and national awards. She has several scholarly publications and has done various conference presentations and speaking engagements, at the local, national and international level. Lynn holds a Ph.C. (ABD) in Social Welfare Policy from University of Washington. She earned her M.Ed., with a concentration in counseling psychology from Washington State University and B.Ed., in K12 Education from Eastern Washington University. Lynn is a wife of 49 years, a mother of three adult professional children, granny of 10 and great granny to two. Lynn and her husband are high school sweethearts, and together enjoy time with their 15+ two-legged blessings.