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One Tribal Nation

Documentary series covering the marginalization and disenfranchisement of Natives. A deep dive into the on-going issues of Native America

$1,860
pledged of$25,000 goal
24
0Days Left

Project Description

 

WHO WE ARE

 

As a filmmaker and storyteller that grew up on the Navajo reservation, I am deeply passionate about the idea of having Natives reclaim our stories and telling them on our own accord. In this documentary, I want to showcase the human rights issues surrounding Native Americans and how tribes deal with these issues both with limited resources while incorporating tribal teachings and traditions. 

My name is Megan Wilson, and I was born and raised on the Navajo reservation. I didn't view my upbringing and heritage as anything but "normal" until I had my first encounter with racism as a teenager, and that was only the beginning. 

Once I left home for college for the first time, that was when I was confronted with the lingering ideas that non-Natives have of us--living in teepees, wearing headdresses and traditional regalia all the time, making dreamcatchers, etc. It wouldn't be until years later that I realized the importance of having us tell our own stories in our way and sharing that with the world. We are more than just relics of history, we are living, breathing people who are alive and navigating life in a place like the United States, where this land is our home but we've been made to feel like it is not. 

WHY THIS PROJECT

 

Native Americans are still seen as a novelty, a relic of the past. Our identity, according to American history, is rooted in being a white man's discovery. Marginalization and discrimination is nothing new; it is something that Native People have had to deal with for generations.

This documentary series will explore the struggles of Native America in every aspect — health and well being of Natives, education, infrastructure, economy and so forth. Indigenous communities must be creative and diligent in how to combat these situations with solutions. Federal, state, and tribal laws, combined with limited resources are all contributing factors to the root of the ongoing marginalization of Native Americans. 

Natives and non-Natives still don’t know so much about how these issues should be addressed and handled. As a Native woman I feel a sense of responsibility in sharing these stories of my people with the world. We (Natives) have had people tell our stories for us many times in the past, and I want us to be able take back our narrative and share it while honoring the traditions, histories, cultures and people involved.   

WHAT YOUR INVESTMENT SUPPORTS

 

Money raised from this campaign will go towards producing the documentary - here is what is entailed: 

  • Equipment. We need to purchase cameras, audio equipment, and lighting to produce this in the best quality we can and that the stories deserve. 
  • Permits, insurance, and other fees. We have to acquire permits to film in certain locations and need to be able to pay for transportation, accommodations and other production costs for the crew and cast. Besides myself, our crew will consist entirely of people of color in every phase of production. 
HOW YOU CAN HELP

 

  • Invest. By investing in this campaign, you are directly contributing to a Native filmmaker and our ability to tell our stories. Representation and equity for marginalized people is more important than ever in this cultural climate, and your monetary investment will play a huge role in that. 
  • Share. Help us turn this idea into a movement by spreading the word and sharing my story. Tell your friends, your family, share it with your social media followers. It's a free and easy way that you can help us accomplish this goal. 

 

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • When will this docu-series be done? There isn't a set date right now. With the funds from this campaign, we will begin production on the pilot episode, which we aim to begin filming by January 2021. After that, production on the rest of the series will depend on access to funding and the current pandemic. 
  • Can we visit the Navajo Reservation? When it is safe to do so, yes! But at this time we wouldn't recommend it due to a high amount of covid cases and access to limited medical resources for residents. Tribal parks are also currently closed. 

 

 

Don R Thompson
12/14/2020
Skoden, You're a Producer!
$1,000
11/27/2020
Best of the Rez
$100
Christina L Walker
11/26/2020
Exclusive First Look
$50
Emily Gwaltney
11/25/2020
Bonus Content
$25
Elizabeth Eichhorn
11/25/2020
Monetary Contribution
$20
11/25/2020
Exclusive First Look
$50
DYanne Koay
10/14/2020
Exclusive First Look
$50
Luis & Joana
10/13/2020
Bonus Content
$25
Megan Ogilvie
10/12/2020
Bonus Content
$25
Emma
10/07/2020
Bonus Content
$25
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

3 Supporters
Select this reward
4.00 USD
Ahéhee' shík'is (Thank you my friend)

Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate you. 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
12.00 USD
Stoodis (Let's Do This!)

You're awesome! You will receive:

  • A personalized postcard of the Navajo Nation #saveUSPS
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Bonus Content

Like the name says, we'll send you exclusive bonus content that won't be seen anywhere else!

  • Bonus footage (b-roll, deleted scenes, behind the scenes)
  • Navajo Nation postcard
8 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Best of the Rez

You will receive: 

  • Everything in previous tiers
  • A lookbook guide of the best places to go on the Navajo Rez
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Piece of the Rez

Thank you for your generous investment! We want to give you a piece of the Rez to have in your home. You will receive:

  • Limited edition, custom Navajo Nation printed poster
  • Virtual pilot screening and Q&A with the crew
  • Everything from previous tiers

 

15 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Skoden, You're a Producer!

As a thank you, we will credit you as a producer for this series! You will receive:

  • Producer credit
  • Everything in previous tiers

 

9 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

3 Supporters
Select this reward
4.00 USD
Ahéhee' shík'is (Thank you my friend)

Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate you. 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
12.00 USD
Stoodis (Let's Do This!)

You're awesome! You will receive:

  • A personalized postcard of the Navajo Nation #saveUSPS
3 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Bonus Content

Like the name says, we'll send you exclusive bonus content that won't be seen anywhere else!

  • Bonus footage (b-roll, deleted scenes, behind the scenes)
  • Navajo Nation postcard
8 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Best of the Rez

You will receive: 

  • Everything in previous tiers
  • A lookbook guide of the best places to go on the Navajo Rez
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Piece of the Rez

Thank you for your generous investment! We want to give you a piece of the Rez to have in your home. You will receive:

  • Limited edition, custom Navajo Nation printed poster
  • Virtual pilot screening and Q&A with the crew
  • Everything from previous tiers

 

15 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Skoden, You're a Producer!

As a thank you, we will credit you as a producer for this series! You will receive:

  • Producer credit
  • Everything in previous tiers

 

9 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward