On December 5th, TCC co-sponsored a special screening of the short film, “Shaaghan Neekwąįį,” known in English as “Two Old Women.”
If you grew up in Alaska, Two Old Women, by Velma Wallis, was most likely required reading in middle school. It tells the harrowing and inspiring tale of two elderly women abandoned by their Tribe during famine. The short narrative film adaptation of the book is directed by Princess Daazhraii Johnson, and stars Gwich’in actors Brenda Kay Newman and Margaret Henry, with a special appearance by Chief Galen Gilbert of Vashraii K’oo. The film is acted entirely in Dinjii Zhuu K’yaa, the Gwich’in language, and costumes were designed by Georgie Engler of Gwichyaa Zhee.
The screening opened to a packed audience, with the theater at Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center being filled to capacity.
Velma Wallis was also in attendance and said during a speech preceding the screening that the book and its film adaptation are a story for the ages. “It belongs to all of us, it tells all of our story,” she said.
Two other short films were also shown. “Diiyeghan naii Taii Tr’eedaa, (We Will Walk the Trail of Our Ancestors)” also directed by Princess Daazhraii Johnson, depicts a grandfather’s teachings of reciprocity and its connection to sustainability of Indigenous culture and lifestyle to his granddaughter, a young Gwich’in mother. The film is part of the Reciprocity Project, which uplifts the value of reciprocity in Indigenous ways of storytelling through film, podcasts, and other creative mediums.
You can view “Diiyeghan naii Taii Tr’eeda and learn more about the Reciprocity Project at https://www.reciprocity.org/films/diiyeghan-naii-taii-treedaa.
“Vidrii Tr’ahtloo (We are Warming Her Heart),” is a Dinjii Zhuu K’yaa music video directed by and starring film student Na’ni’eezh Ch’igiiontà, from Shonto, Arizona (in Navajo Nation) and Vashrąįį K’oo (formerly known as Arctic Village). She discusses the lack of Indigenous language representation in media, and her mission to change that circumstance. “Our Indigenous languages are alive and just like us, they are adapting to this mainstream culture,” says Ch’igiiontà, “Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa is so poetic and beautiful that I figured t was time to highlight that.” Ch’igiiontà encourages language learning as a way to show Elders that their languages remain relevant. “Through my music video, I want to show the potential our languages can hold in modern spaces,” she says. Currently, her video is under review for showing at a film festival.
As for “Shaaghan Neekwąįį,” future plans include more screenings across the state and hopes for a feature-length film. TCC is proud to see the people of our region collaborating on such big projects that protect and preserve our way of life, our stories, and our Indigenousness!
