native horse

documentary i james kleinert

Native Horse looks at the evolution of horses in North America by placing Indigenous Lakota science, which has always dispelled the claim that horses died out before being re-introduced by the Spanish, alongside ground-breaking DNA research. Today, new discoveries in Western science have come together with Lakota scientists to create a more complete understanding of the Horse, its evolution, and its bond with humans. This film is an expansive and intimate exploration of our interconnectedness with the Horse, each other, and our environment. In soul-felt interviews, Native American Elders, Horsemen, and Horsewomen explain their ancient relationship with Horse Nation. Dr. N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa Pulitzer Prize winning author) references the age-old mythical story of The Centaur, asking the question of Horse and Man evolving together and being one. The Wild Horse, the representative of the expressive spirit of America – freedom, family, and community, is one of the heroes of this journey!

TRT: 60 Minutes

Release: October 26, 2024

Expiration: October 25, 2027

Distributor: NETA

NOLA: NHRS

Rights: Unlimited releases over three (3) years beginning 10/26/24;

SCH/1YR (for K-12); and non-commercial cable rights.

Director James Anaquad Kleinert’s films investigate the heart of the American West. They focus on environmentalism, activism, spirituality and American Indian culture. 

His work brings attention to the desperate plight of America’s iconic wild horses, as multi-national corporate greed strips away their legal and environmental protections, a direct mirror to those same rights being stripped away from ordinary citizens. James Anaquad Kleinert has been described as one of the most revealing, hard-hitting documentary filmmakers in the last 10 years. His documentary style specializes in outdoor action cinematography informed from his history with extreme skiing to horseback riding, wildlife and much more.

Currently, his organization, Native Horse Productions, LLC is producing a short feature Native Horse on the “big history” origins of this iconic symbol of the American West, and an episodic television documentary series: Mustangs & Renegades exploring the history, nuances, and critical connection of humans with our fellow travelers from the horse nation.

James Kleinert (Onondaga): Director/Producer

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.