Vision Maker Media (visionmakermedia.org) is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories while envisioning a world changed and healed by understanding these stories. Through film, education, and public programming, conversations spark a deeper understanding of Native experiences. VMM’s educational programs include the Native American Film Series and iNative Shorts for Kids.
On July 14 at 7 p.m., The Native American Film Series at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center features Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian. This inspiring documentary follows a young Dakota woman as she explores the extraordinary life of her celebrated relative, Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa). Biography and life journey come together as the narrator traces Eastman’s path—from traditional Dakota boyhood, through education at Dartmouth College, and in later roles as physician, author, lecturer, and Native American advocate. For more information, visit https://theross.org/.
The iNative Shorts for Kids YouTube channel is VMM’s newest series. It features Frankie the Hawk and brings Indigenous knowledge directly to young learners ages 6–12 through short videos curated from VMM’s extensive film archive. The theme for this month is “Living Legacies.” Each short video introduces young viewers to Native individuals who have made lasting impacts in their communities and beyond. Explore the series now at visionmakermedia.org or www.youtube.com.
Vision Maker Media is headquartered in Lincoln and houses a 50-year archive of films by and about Native Americans, serving as the premier source of Native content for public media.