ICT is working to shape the future of journalism and stay connected with readers like you. A crucial part of that effort is understanding our audience. Share your perspective in a brief survey for a chance to win prizes
Sandra Hale Schulman
Special to ICT
The latest: A play by the pioneering 1491s comedy troupe, a new documentary picks up where ‘Flower Moon’ left off, and a new music festival showcases hot artists
THEATER: History with a funny (knee) bone
A comedic play, “Between Two Knees,” by the 1491s — a rotating group of funny Natives whose members have included Sterlin Harjo and Dallas Goldtooth — is set to premiere Feb. 3 in New York City with a three-week run at the new Perelman Performing Arts Center.
The title of the play riffs off the events that occurred in Indian Country between the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre and the American Indian Movement occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973.
The play, directed by Obie Award winner Eric Ting, will feature Derek Garza, Comanche; Justin Gauthier, Menominee; Shyla Lefner, Choctaw; Wotko Long, Muscogee; Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Blackfeet; Sheila Tousey, Menominee; James Ryen; Asian-American; and Rachel Crowl, non-Native.
The central story of the show is a long-suffering Native couple — Isaiah (played by Derek Garza when he’s younger and Wotko Long when he’s older) and Irma (Shyla Lefner when she’s younger, Jennifer Bobiwash when she’s older) — through the decades of their lives.
There are detours, with many different characters portrayed by the cast of 13; musical numbers in various genres, including an unlikely hip-hop song; throwaway, overacted jokes; and even a mini-gameshow, called “Wheel of Indian Massacre.”
SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. CONTRIBUTE TODAY.
The production provides a warning about the content.
“‘Between Two Knees’ contains depictions and graphic details of violence against Native peoples including war, genocide and massacres; depictions of death and gun-related violence; depictions of Native American boarding schools; use of aggressive and stereotypical anti-Native rhetoric; pedophile priests; Nun-ja fights; country line dancing; ballet, hip hop, traditional powwow; Vaudeville; prophecies; surprise revelations; loud rapping; 31 wigs; over 300 props; Disney princesses; mime wolves; a bison; a rapture; and a really big explosion.”
The show is set to run through Feb. 24.
FILM: Beyond the Osage Reign of Terror
Where “Killers of the Flower Moon” ends, another story begins.
Similar to another current documentary, “First We Bombed New Mexico,” which follows what happened to the irradiated people and lands around the Trinity test site depicted in ‘Oppenheimer,” investigative reporter Greg Palast’s new documentary, “Long Knife: The Osage Nation, Koch Oil and the New Trail of Tears,” reveals the untold story of the 100 years since the murderous times depicted in the Scorsese film, centering on the billion-dollar theft of oil from the long-suffering Osage by Charles Koch and Koch Oil.
Palast first broke the Koch story nearly three decades ago, after interviews with Osage members.
The film, set for release in Spring 2024, includes details of armed showdowns between Koch’s “goons” and the FBI, the current poisoning of Osage land by modern fracking to extract oil, the Koch climate-denier dark money machine operating today, secret documents, and blackmail.
The documentary was filmed on the Osage Reservation. It is directed by David Ambrose and produced by George DiCaprio, the father of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred in “Killers of the Flower Moon” alongside Oscar contender Lily Gladstone, Blackfeet.
MUSIC: Cold-weather music fest breaks the ice
Top northern Indigenous bands will perform on Feb. 1 In Minneapolis as part of The Great Northern 2024 Festival, which runs Jan. 25-Feb. 4.
The event, “Broken Ice: Indigenous Sonic Salve from the North,” begins at 7 p.m. on the First Avenue Main stage in Minneapolis, with a lineup curated by artist/musician Nicholas Galanin, Tlingit and Unangax̂.
Galanin’s Sub Pop Records band Ya Tseen is the headliner for the show, which also features Alaska-based multidisciplinary performer AKU-MATU, Iñupiaq, and an expansive “powpow” performance by powerhouse group Bizhiki with Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, Bad River Ojibwe; Joe Rainey Sr., Red Lake Ojibwe; and S. Carey.
The backdrop of a visual landscape is by Finn Ryan, with specially commissioned video work by artist Jaida Grey Eagle, Oglala Lakota. The evening will be hosted by award-winning Minneapolis journalist Kate Nelson, Tlingit.
ART: Call to artists in Oklahoma
The longest-running Native American art show and competition in Oklahoma is seeking artwork for its upcoming spring event.
The 53rd annual Trail of Tears Art Show, April 6-May 11, will be in the gallery at Cherokee Springs Plaza and online.
Through the juried show, artists will compete for more than $18,000 in painting, sculpture, pottery, basketry, graphics, jewelry, miniatures, diverse art forms, textiles, and photography/digital art.
There is no entry fee. Individuals must be over 18 years old, be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe or nation and complete all submission requirements no later than 5 p.m. Central on Feb. 23.
An awards reception will be held on Friday, April 5, from 6-8:30 p.m., followed by the public opening on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. The Cherokee Springs Plaza is located at 3377 Cherokee Springs Road in Tahlequah.
Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.