WHY NATIVE Media?

It’s no secret. Our world revolves around media. It connects us. It influences us. It educates us. We welcome it into our homes through our televisions. We share it with our families through social media. Which is why Native representation in the media is so important. Especially at a time when media is so significant to who we are as a society—it’s essential that Native voices are part of the narrative.

No Representation Means Misrepresentation

Invisibility of Native culture in the media creates a void that is filled by toxic stereotypes and false narratives including racist mascots, over-sexualized portrayals of women, offensive costumes and inaccurate stereotypes in movies and films.

*Only

0 %

of Primetime TV & Films Have Native Characters

*Resource: Reclaiming Native Truth: A Project to Dispel America’s Myths and Misconceptions. (2018, June).

0 %

of Americans Rarely Encounter or

Receive Information about Native Americans

*Resource: Reclaiming Native Truth. (2018, June).

Healing & Promoting Understanding Through Storytelling

Invisibility of Native culture in the media creates a void that is filled by toxic stereotypes and false narratives including racist mascots, over-sexualized portrayals of women, offensive costumes and inaccurate stereotypes in movies and films.

Healing & Promoting Understanding Through Storytelling

Invisibility of Native culture in the media creates a void that is filled by toxic stereotypes and false narratives including racist mascots, over-sexualized portrayals of women, offensive costumesand inaccurate stereotypes in movies and films.

2022 Native Representation

164k

Film views during our 2020 Online Indigneous Film Festival

34k

Native American films currently in broadcast

5

New Native American films sent to Broadcast

46k

Airings of Native American Documentaries on Public Television
0

TELECASTS

0

MARKETS

0

STATES

0 %

COVERAGE

*Resource: Trac Media Services.

We envision a world changed and healed by understanding native stories and the public conversations they generate

We’ve funded and trained Native filmmakers to share their stories with the world. Starting in 1976, Vision Maker Media evolved from film, VHS, DVD and now to online streaming, and we continue to showcase the most compelling Native stories for public broadcasting on local PBS stations and online.

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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.