minnesota

February News: Minnesota returns 114 acres to Lower Sioux Indian Community /  by Stories I Didn't Know

We are unbelievably happy to share this news with you: the Lower Sioux Indian Community got its ancestral land back from Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society.

“In an emotional ceremony this month, the Minnesota Historical Society officially returned 114 acres along the Minnesota River bluffs to the Lower Sioux Indian Community.

The land transfer, approved by the Legislature in 2017, became official Feb. 12, returning about half of the southern Minnesota property around the nonprofit’s historic site to the tribe.”
— Kelly Smith, Star Tribune
“This is a victory for the Lower Sioux Community ... it’s more than symbolic, it’s actionable,” said Kate Beane, director of Native American Initiatives at the Historical Society and a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux in South Dakota. “What this specific incidence highlights is that there are actionable things that some agencies and organizations can do to help support the healing.”
— Kelly Smith, Star Tribune

Official Selection: Beloit International Film Festival /  by Stories I Didn't Know

After screening at BIFF Year ‘Round film series in November 2020, we have been invited to be part of the Beloit International Film Festival (February 19 - February 28, 2021) official program that kicks off on Friday, February 19.

We are very happy to be an official documentary program selection at BIFF and we can’t wait to share the film with everyone!

Film tickets go on sale Friday, February 19

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Exclusive Virtual Screening & Conversation /  by Stories I Didn't Know

We have so many interesting events to share that will take place during the first half of next year. The first one is a special screening of “Stories I Didn’t Know” at Minnesota Humanities Center followed by a community conversation with our director Rita Davern, educator Ramona Kitto Stately, and artist Reuben Kitto Stately.

Join us and Minnesota Humanities Center on January 14 between 6:30pm and 8:30pm for a lively discussion on “ how one person’s discovery of truth can create a significant positive impact on a personal and statewide level. Explore with us the transgressions made by the federal government and non-Native leaders and how together we can confront current systemic failures as we work to create a more just Minnesota.”

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Meet Ramona Kitto Stately /  by Stories I Didn't Know

For those who have seen our documentary film, Stories I Didn’t Know, you may wonder, “Who is Ramona Kitto Stately, and what is she up to these days as an educator and leader?”

Below find Ramona’s profile, along with part 1 of a recent interview with Ramona and Rita about Stories I Didn’t Know. The interview comes from Inclusivi-Tee – a company committed to “co-creating a sustainable, kind, and equitable future through the sale of earth-friendly books and fashion, the organization of workshops and podcasts, and participation in strategic partnerships.”

In this episode of Inclusivi-TALKS, Lori is joined by co-host Shannon Crossbear, filmmaker Rita Davern, and Ramona Kitto Stately, We Are Still Here Minnesota...

Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakota Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture, and a Masters of Education with an emphasis on Teacher leadership from Augsburg University. After 15 years teaching Indian Education in Minnesota, she is now Project Director for the We Are Still Here Minnesota, creating action for narrative change. Ramona is the mother of two children, an accomplished beadwork artist with moccasins on display in the Science Museum of Minnesota, a part of the scholars' team with of the Minnesota Humanities Center’s for Learning from Place: Bdote and has served as the Chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association since 2016.

Ramona Kitto Stately - Santee Sioux Nation
Project Director - We Are Still Here Minnesota (WASH-MN)
MA Education & Teacher Leadership
ramonastately@gmail.com / (651) 263-0942

"Fostering cultural, social, and policy change by empowering Native Americans to counter discrimination, invisibility, and the dominant narratives that limit Native opportunity, access to justice, health and self-determination."

Ramona Kitto Stately (Still from Stories I Didn’t Know)

Ramona Kitto Stately (Still from Stories I Didn’t Know)

Us at Cucalorus Film Festival /  by Stories I Didn't Know

Such a pity that we couldn’t attend Cucalorus Film Festival in person this year but nonetheless we had a wonderful time being part of it virtually! Thank you Cucalorus!

Stories I Didn't Know at Lake County Film Festival /  by Stories I Didn't Know

We were very happy to have Stories I Didn’t Know screen this month at Lake County Film Festival. Watch below the lovely Q&A we had at the festival together with the director of the fest Nat Dykeman and Greg Allen, director of “Reparations” short film that accompanied the screening of Stories I Didn’t Know at Lake County Film Festival.

Private screening with Climate Change Leaders MN /  by Stories I Didn't Know

Climate Change Leaders (CCL) are an amazing group of farmers pivoting their land use to be sustainable and to help battle climate change. Members of this group saw Stories I Didn’t Know yesterday and had a private Q&A with director Rita Davern and Ramona Kitto Stately, a Dakota educator that features in our film. We want to thank this thoughtful committed group of land leaders for having a discussion with us about what reparations to Native nations might look like and discussing hard topics with one's family.

Read more about CCL's work here: https://bit.ly/3ii1cuA

Screening at Moldox International Documentary Film Festival /  by Stories I Didn't Know

Our outdoor screening at Moldox International Documentary Film Festival in Eastern Europe went well and even though we couldn’t be present in person at the event, we were grateful to be there via Zoom and chat with the local audience. Take a look at some of the photos from the screening below:

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BEST OF FEST at MSPIFF39 /  by Stories I Didn't Know

We are thrilled to be one of the 10 films showing at the BEST OF FEST - MSPIFF 39 Redefined.
If you missed our documentary during the festival’s virtual edition, you have the chance to watch it again starting Thursday, June 25. You will have 24 hours to finish watching the movie once you start viewing and must start watching the film by Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 pm in order to finish before the end of the screening engagement. Virtual seats are limited, so reserve a ticket down below:

Screenshot from the MSP Film Society website

Screenshot from the MSP Film Society website

What a premiere! /  by Stories I Didn't Know

We’ve had a fantastic premiere at Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Stories I Didn’t Know sold out TWICE and so many people have reached out to us with lovely messages of support and post screening reactions. Our 45 minutes Q&A on Sunday, May 17 was attended by approximately 170 viewers and we’ve received so many questions and thoughtful messages that we are still going through them. If you missed our Q&A you can still watch it below:

LIVE Q&A with directors Rita Davern and Melody Gilbert and film’s subjects Ramona Kitto Stately & Reuben Kitto Stately. Q&A was moderated by Craig Rice, MSPIFF programmer.

Here you can read a couple of the wonderful messages, our audience sent us:

“It is beautiful and powerful, and so vulnerable and the stuff that healing is made of.”
— Audience Member
“This was a beautiful and powerful film. The compassion of Rita and Ramona Kitto Stately as they shared and heard each other’s stories, and Rita’s willingness to recognize her priveledge and learn more by reaching out to others was amazing. It provides a path for all of us.”
— Audience Member
“A powerful film about history, generational trauma, and the importance of actions to extend and recieve healing.”
— Audience Member

On the closing day of the festival, May 23rd we were ranked number 1 for Audience Award at MSPIFF39! The final votes are still being tallied but we will let you know if we won as soon as we hear ! Such an honor to be #1 best documentary only after a week of voting. Follow us on our social media channels for more news. (Facebook Twitter and Instagram ).

 

Listen to the interview the directors of the film gave One Week Only, a podcast about independent & international cinema.

 

Screenshot: LIVE Q&A with directors Rita Davern and Melody Gilbert and film’s subjects Ramona Kitto Stately & Reuben Kitto Stately. Q&A was moderated by Craig Rice, MSPIFF programmer.

 

MSPIFF Redefined and our virtual world premiere /  by Stories I Didn't Know

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival has moved online and is now called "MSPIFF Redefined.”
Stories I Didn’t Know was selected to premiere at the festival and despite the current world situation we are holding our premiere virtually on Sunday, May 17th. The screening will start at 2pm, and the live Q & A will be at 5pm.

Tickets will be available for purchase on the festival website starting on May 15th here: mspfilm.org/festivals/mspiff

Take a peek below at our MSPIFF programming note:

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Official Selection Minnesota St. Paul International Film Festival /  by Stories I Didn't Know

Our premiere has been delayed. Check back for future screenings. Film festival rescheduled due to COVID19.

We are delighted to announce our World Premiere at the Minnesota St. Paul International Film Festival in April as part of the Minnesota Made Films section. Read the entire press release HERE