Native Vue Film and Media Connection
http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?p=160


It Takes a (Native) Village to Raise Awareness…A Conversation With Gina Boltz


October 6th, 2006

Gina Boltz is a teacher. No matter that she hasn’t been in the classroom for the better part of 10 years, she is still teaching, just to a much larger classroom of 800,000 students per year. Her Native Village website is chock-full of goodies to sink your teeth into with international news items, discussion topics and poetry, and links to educational, art, and cultural opportunities. Once you dive in, you will quickly become immersed and come back again and again and again…

Yes, Native Village is definitely among the best out there. Not only because of the wealth of news that’s provided, but because Gina is unafraid to state what she thinks and why she thinks it on a number of controversial issues. Networks and institutions such as CBS, Nickelodeon and The Smithsonian have relied on her expertise including being an advisor on an upcoming episode of the PBS series "In the Mix" which will be broadcast this November.

Ready, kids? Let’s hear from our teacher-in-residence who gives us her views on the importance of Native images in film and the arts, her commitment to education, and who she is and why she started Native Village. You go girl!!

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History of Native Village—when did you start it, and why?

When I retired from teaching in 1997, I was completely dissatisfied by the lack of accurate and accessible educational materials about Native people, their cultures, and their interests, especially here in the Midwest where many states don’t have reservations and/or federally or state recognized tribes. Frustrated by this, I began volunteering within the Native American Community.

In August, 2000, I created the Native Village website and began publishing the Native Village News. Both are free educational resources for Native youth, teachers, families and friends. It’s my way of giving back to both the educational community and to the people whom I love so well.

It is also my way of honoring my hero, Tecumseh. European invaders used a “divide and conquer” philosophy to prevent tribes from uniting against them. Tecumseh knew this, and encouraged Native people to stand together. It worked for awhile, but then only got worse. By sharing Native news and educational information from tribes across the Americas, Native Village may help (in some miniscule way), to bring tribal people’s closer together. In 2004, Native Village became Native Village Publications, a non-profit organization under the National Heritage Society.

Who are the primary contributors to Native Village? Also, a few words about your advisors…

Most of Native Village’s contributions come from hard-working volunteers running organizations, news services and listserves who do the research and share the news ands events with me. I simply select, edit, and publish the information for Native Village readers.

Many wonderful people, including Vine DeLoria, Jr, Chad Solomon, and Phil Konstatin, have allowed me to reprint their work to share with others. In addition, Leonard Peltier and Mary Lum Sage are writing and publishing through us–Leonard shares inspirational words for youth, and Mary is presenting a photo journey of an Inupiaq whale hunt in Barrow, Alaska. These are only a few of the good people who are reaching out through Native Village to help educate others.

There just aren’t enough words to express my thanks to everyone who trusts NV to share their efforts. A non-profit is only as good as its Board of Advisors. Native Village is blessed:

Diane Fausel works with Mesa (AZ) United Way. Diane’s dedication to “the little ones” is cemented in her heart and soul. She helped create and promote a ground-breaking video, “What We Have Always Known,” which explains and addresses the importance of Early Childhood Education for Native Youth. For Diane, children come first, and her efforts in educating and providing family and health services to them is outstanding. As a retired first grade teacher and early-childhood education advocate, I greatly respect Diane’s accomplishments, input, and ideas.

Dr. William Howe is past president of NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education www.nameorg.org) and travels across the world promoting the importance of multicultural education. He’s been very active and involved in his suggestions and direction for NV publications and keeps me upbeat and grounded when I need it. He’s the “Dude.”

Marijo Moore is an Eastern Cherokee author whose writings are almost magical in their ability to sweep away cobwebs and reach the soul. She sees through eyes much wiser than mine, and that wisdom helps keep Native Village balanced between the traditions and today’s world.

Dr. Stephanie Schwartz is very involved with traditional Lakota activities on the Pine Ridge reservation. Stephanie is among the most honest, respectful, and unimposing people I know. Her knowledge of the people and activities in Indian Country is a great barometer in determining certain directions in Native Village’s activities and publications.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who you are as well as what you’ve done, both personally and professionally?

I’m a retired teacher married to a wonderful man and living in northwest Ohio. I earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in education from the University of Toledo and taught school for 23 ½ years before an illness forced me to retire early.

Since retirement, I’ve been involved in the Native community because I love the people, the cultures, the values and traditions. Besides my own studies, I’ve volunteered online as a host in AOL’s Native American areas, spent two summers volunteering to organize and run online learning sessions (called Native American Future), and helped create and direct a previous Native Youth publication called Turtle Tracks.

I left TT in July 2000 to create Native Village. In 2002, Native Village was named Publication of the Year by NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education.) In 2004, Native Village joined NAME in organizing a group to march in the Grand Procession during the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Today other NAME members and I are preparing a book of inspirational stories about the rewards and joys of teaching grades PreK-grade 12. All book proceeds will be used for student/teacher scholarships to attend the National NAME conference.

For many years, Native Village has worked with the Heiders and friends to organize birthday (and sadly, memorial) events for Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo. Miracle was a messenger whose earthly presence followed the prophecies and brought hope and guidance and love to our screwed-up world. Miracle’s spirit still speaks today – just listen.

Currently, I’m working with the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers (http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/) to create a special youth area at Native Village. This is a very humbling and exciting opportunity. Those with whom I work are phenomenal people. I just can’t fathom why they invited me to help, but I’m grateful and honored and will do my best to serve them.

A huge surprise has been professional requests asking for my help in researching. For example, the Smithsonian, Nickelodeon, CBS, and others have honored me by asking for help. Currently, I’m researching and helping a PBS producer in her quest to air a 4-5 part In the Mix series about Native American Youth. More information can be seen at the bottom of the Native Village Homepage and found in the “About Us” area at the website.

Do you come to this with a specific political and/or sociological doctrine or do you see Native Village as primarily being a news service?

As a retired teacher, I can’t help but have political and sociological doctrines. America’s educational system is a disaster. School personnel are overextended and exhausted, and students’ lives are consumed with passing test. Thanks to the politicians who determine educational policies, education has become an assembly-line business where test results and cost-cutting are more important than the student’s themselves.

Can you imagine all-day Kindergarten with no naps? Can you imagine canceling elementary school gym classes and recess so kids can study? Or what about high school students who show such promise in the arts, yet are forced to choose academic classes time-and time- again so they can pass tests? Believe it—it’s happening.

Students are no longer individuals with individual skills and individual talents. Instead, they are judged by massive paper test trails and what it cost to educate them. This is not right.

I try very hard to avoid personal reflection within the Native Village news or at the website itself, but no matter how hard I try, my views about politics and society come into play. One time a reader chastised me to “tone-down my dislike for President Bush.” Two other educators, who had given me reprint permission for an article, rescinded it because I wouldn’t remove the “War in Iraq” pages at the Native Village website. Finally, a quite-well known author refused me permission to reprint his/her article because I wouldn’t pay him/her for the content.

As Native Village editor and Director, I had to take stands. First, I do NOT like our president, and I join the Dixie Chicks in not apologizing. Second, I WILL acknowledge the war because such high proportions of Native Americans have joined the military and are stationed overseas. How can I not honor them when so many Native youth have family members fighting for us?

Finally, the entire Native Village website and all participating activities are funded out-of-pocket from my disability paycheck. I can’t afford to pay a contributor, no matter how much it’s deserved. I guess this answered your question!

How many visitors does you site have during an average month? Do you have an indication as to who these folks are—and from what regions of North America and beyond?

During the past 12 months, we’ve had almost 800,000 visitors and almost 2,000,000 hits. Our readers come from across the US and Canada and from all continents (except Antarctica)

What importance do you believe art and film plays in the perception young people have of Natives?

The arts have a way of crossing cultures when nothing else will do. Arts touch the heart and soul; cultural mores somehow don’t matter. For each person, one art form may hold much more influence than others. In the last few years, Native musicians, dancers, designers, performers, writers, storytellers and others have made huge inroads into mainstream media through performances and exhibits.

These talents and skills not only amaze and entertain, but they educate and promote acceptance among people. For me, however, nothing is more powerful than film. Indigenous filmmakers are an amazing bunch who can somehow tie both worlds together in a sensible manner. Their ability to portray Not only does this help the world’s youth understand the Native world, but it helps Native people better appreciate each others’ cultures, which are sometimes as different as night and day.

I also believe some media outlets like PBS, Turner Broadcasting, the History channel, and a few others are making a strong effort in portraying Native peoples in an honest and respectful way. Their works reach youth who may not have the desire, opportunity, or time to learn about Native people. Sure, some facts and portrayals may be lacking, but the point is, positive efforts are being made to promote understanding of Native people and cultures. I’d LOVE to see an American television series similar to North of 60 which runs on the CBC (The Canadian Broadcasting System.)

Do you see the stereotypes and images of Indigenous people changing? If yes, how so…if no, why not?

It depends on the topic and the area of the country in which one lives but generally, the stereotypes are changing for the better. The Internet and its vast wealth of learning opportunities has helped, as has the ability for us to meet and interact with people across cultures. Personal experience and interaction can change minds more effectively than boring fact sheets.

The Native mascot controversy has also enlightened people to the effects of racism. I just wish people knew as much about the Cobell vs. U.S case as they do about sports teams’ names. Casinos, however, promote the idea among many that Indian people are wealthy off casino profits. This is a negative stereotype that keeps growing and growing. Obviously, most haven’t visited Pine Ridge.

I give Native elders and youth the most credit for breaking the stereotypes. The elders persevered despite centuries of horrendous treatment by invaders and the U.S. Government. These elders kept teaching through the generations and continue their teachings today.

Finally, many are beginning to listen, especially Native youth who share growing pride in their cultures. Their drive and ambition is amazing. These youth are living between two worlds while remaining true to their people. They are savvy, and don’t cower or hide but stand up to misconceptions with the strength of their convictions. How many people can do that?

What can “average” folks within and outside of Indian country do to dispel negative stereotypes?

Have patience–more and more non-Indian people are trying really hard to learn more about you and better understand your cultures. If you’re a parent or elder, reach out to area schools with workshops or storytelling or other cultural activities. Wear your traditional clothing or regalia, when appropriate. Tell the stories behind each item you wear so kids understand your items MEAN something.

Teachers and tribes: create free lesson plans about your tribe to share with area schools and teachers. Also, please post the plans on the web for all to see. You have no idea how much teachers from all cultures will appreciate your help.

Share the stories and immerse yourself in the languages and don’t be afraid to use either when out among the public. Take a stand and don’t be afraid to speak out. Kids, explain to others WHY you wear your eagle feathers or regalia to graduation with pride.

I have found that Native actors, directors, writers—many within the visual arts community—work strenuously to groom up-and-coming talent as well as serve as positive life role models. As an educator, how do you think this is a benefit to Native kids?

Guidance, sharing, and nurturing are all important aspects of Native culture, and the arts are no exception. Any child involved in a learning environment dedicated to his talent will thrive. And while the youth learn from the adults, so too do the adults learn from the kids. It’s a win-win situation.

Anything else, Gina, that you’d like to expound on?

For those who are wondering, I was not raised Native but do have Seneca heritage along with [probably] Cherokee, Choctaw, Lumbee, or Mulengeon (haven’t found the connection yet.) My mother’s ancestors arrived here in the early 1600s, and many lived with the Seneca and Shawnee. My father’s didn’t come until the 1900s.

I only realized I had Native blood two years ago when I began searching my own genealogy. Go figure… On a personal note, Native Village needs funding. NV is turning down publishing ideas and opportunities; with only one staff member (me), the workload is overwhelming. Native Village needs a larger staff and more resources to expand our publications and offer more types of learning experiences. So, if you are a foundation, grant writer, or just want to donate to a good cause, please consider Native Village.

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Thank You, Gina! (But I do have to disagree with you on the Dixie Chicks. Lame music and consistently dopey comments…Yeesh)

Native Village Website: www.nativevillage.org


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