Sousa on the Rez

27 Min | Documentary Short | Cathleen O'Connell & Billy Luther

Sousa on the Rez: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum is a short documentary that sheds light on the little-known Native American marching band scene. When you hear the phrase “Native American music” you may not think of tubas, trumpets and Sousa marches. Yet this rich musical tradition has been a part of Native American culture for over one hundred years. Combining profiles of contemporary bands with fresh historical research,  this documentary challenges viewers to expand their definition of Native American music and broadens their understanding of contemporary Indian life.

Release: January 5, 2013

Expiration: January 5, 2025

Distributor: APT

NOLA: SBDD

Rights: Six (6) releases over four (4) years beginning 1/5/2021; Multicast: Unlimited Use/4 Years.

Including 1 Year School Rerecord, Noncommercial Cable rights. Linear Live Streaming

Cathleen O'Connell

Director/Producer
Cathleen O’Connell is an independent documentary producer based in Boston. Her films shine a light on lesser known but important facets of American culture – stories found when you exit the interstate and pull onto blue highways and back roads. Her broadcast credits include non-fiction programming for PBS, Animal Planet, The History Channel and Discovery Channel.

Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo)

Producer
Billy Luther is a Native American Independent film producer and director producing documentaries and short films. He currently belongs to the Navajo, Hopi, and Laguna Pueblo Tribes. He is best known for his documentary Miss Navajo which tells the story about woman competing in the beauty pageant of Miss Navajo.

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.

JORDANA BASS

Project Coordinator​

(Hataža Mani Winga)​

"Cinema Aficionado"

Role: Jordana is excited to engage with different Native/Indigenous communities. Her passion for working with youth will help develop the Native Youth Media Project. She will also assist with the Creative Shorts Fellowship (CSF) to help organize deliverables for filmmakers.