A powerful new perspective on native American history.
From the award-winning PBS series American Experience comes We Shall Remain, a provocative multi-media project that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history.
Shall we give up our homes, our country, bequeathed to us by the Great Spirit, the graves of our dead, and everything that is dear and sacred to us, without a struggle? I know you will cry with me: Never! Never! Tecumseh, Shawnee
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Shall we give up our homes, our country, bequeathed to us by the Great Spirit, the graves of our dead, and everything that is dear and sacred to us, without a struggle? I know you will cry with me: Never! Never! ~ ~Tecumseh, Shawnee |
Multiple Platforms, Maximum Impact
PBS Television Series
At the heart of the project is a five-part television series that shows
how Native peoples adapted and fought back-- from the Wampanoags of New
England in the 1600s who used their alliance with the English to weaken
rival tribes, to the bold new leaders of the 1970s who harnessed the
momentum of the civil rights movement to forge a pan-Indian identity.
We Shall Remain represents an unprecedented collaboration between
Native and non-Native filmmakers, as well as the involvement of Native
advisors and scholars at all levels of the project. The series is
scheduled to be aired in 2009.
Mentoring Program
We Shall Remain will have a lasting impact on the telling of
Native American stories, thanks to a mentoring program that is
cultivating the talent of emerging Native filmmakers. Participants in
the program have access to the resources and expertise of a flagship PBS
series and some of the nation's most respected documentary filmmakers.
The program was formally launched in March 2006 with intensive training
for participants, who have assumed full-time paid positions as
producers, associate producers or production assistants.
Web & New Media
An in-depth Web site will serve the general public, educators, and
students, offering interactive learning resources and several hours of
streaming video. Part of PBS Online, one of the leading dot-org sites on
the Internet, the We Shall Remain site will also feature
behind-the-scenes production stories and original podcasts.
ReelNative
This groundbreaking outreach project will encourage Native Americans to
give voice to their heritage and address contemporary issues by training
them to produce their own short videos. About 40 people will participate
in ReelNative workshops across the nation. Their videos will be given
prominence on the We Shall Remain Web site and screened at film
festivals around the globe.
Community Engagement
Campaign
A nationwide community outreach campaign is engaging Native communities
and organizations, Native radio, public television stations,
universities, museums, schools, and libraries. The events, activities,
and dialogue that come out of these relationships will extend We
Shall RemainŐs crucial message to audiences across the country that
might not tune into the broadcast.
Educator Resources
Web resources will include a teacher's guide with lesson plans,
activities, and discussion questions. In addition, the site will feature
educational activities and resources created by the We Shall Remain
community coalitions.
National Library
Initiative
In order to reach Americans young and old, who are using the nationŐs
public libraries in record numbers, We Shall Remain is working
closely with the American Library Association president, Loriene Roy
(White Earth Anishinabe). Each of the 17,500 main and branch public
libraries will receive an event kit to encourage public programs related
to We Shall Remain. Events may include book groups featuring
Native American authors, film screenings, or cross-cultural programs for
teens.