INSIDE NMAI
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TRIBAL PRIDE CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
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ports will take to the big screen as the Film + Vid- eo Center kicks off a busy summer at its popular At the Movies program. The age-old traditions of foot races and horseback rid-
ing will be featured in two new documenta- ries making their New York premiere at the city’s George Gustav Heye Center; Racing the Rez (2012, 57 min.) directed by Brian Truglio and Indian Relay (2013, 57 min.) directed by Charles Dye. Racing the Rez and Indian Relay open with back-to-back showings on Thursday, May 30 at 6 p.m., followed by an encore presentation on Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. Both showings take place in the Au- ditorium. They will give museum visitors a personal look at the contemporary sports of cross-country racing and Indian relay. Racing the Rez follows Navajo and Hopi
cross-country runners from two rival high schools in northern Arizona as they put it all on the line for community pride and state- championship glory. “For Native culture, running is much more than a sport,” says Truglio. “It’s part of their creation stories and is woven into the cultural fabric of their lives. Whether distant or recent, every family’s lore contains legends of runners.” Over two seasons, urged on by committed coaches and supported by their families, the boys face the obstacles and challenges of high school and planning for the future. Indian Relay introduces viewers to a style
of bareback horse racing involving four to eight teams racing head-to-head. Each team is made up of four people and three horses. One person is the rider, another person, known as the mugger, catches the horse when the rider jumps off, and the other two people handle the horses. During the race, riders make three laps around the typically 48 AMERICAN INDIAN SUMMER 2013
INDIAN RELAY INTRODUCES VIEWERS TO A STYLE OF BAREBACK HORSE RACING INVOLVING FOUR TO EIGHT TEAMS RACING HEAD-TO-HEAD.
half-mile track, changing to a new horse at the beginning of each lap. In as few move- ments as possible after hitting the ground, the rider then vaults onto another horse and speeds off for another lap. The fastest team to complete all three laps and exchanges is the winner. The documentary follows multiple teams as they compete throughout the In- dian relay season. Many of the teams consist of families with Indian relay roots stretching back generations. Bragging rights and money are at stake for the competing teams. Both documentaries are presented in
partnership with Vision Maker Media, a company dedicated to presenting Native sto- ries that represent the cultures, experiences and value of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Formerly known as Native Ameri-
can Public Telecommunications, Inc., Vision Maker Media shares Native stories with the world through support of the creation, pro- motion and distribution of Native media. Since 1977, through various media – public television, public radio and the Internet – Vision Maker has brought awareness of Indian and Alaska Native issues. All aspects of Vision Maker’s programs encourage the involvement of young people to learn more about careers in the media and to become the next generation of storytellers.X – Quinn Bradley (Navajo/Assiniboine)
At the Movies is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
For more information about the Film + Video Center please visit
www.nativenetworks.si.edu.
PHOTO BY CHARLES DYE
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