|
July 2, 2008 ( PowerHomeBiz ) -
Two Rivers, WI --
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the 2008
recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowships, the country's highest
honor in the folk and traditional arts. Bob Rozoff, Producer and
Videographer for SOUCE Media Network and its subsidiary, Firelight Media,
volunteered his services to help create the five minute documentary that
explores the history of the Oneida Singers. The singers carry on the valued
traditions used for centuries in various Oneida rites, including traditional
funeral ceremonies.
(news continued below))
Since before America’s colonial period, the Oneida Singers have been
performing a capella. Missionaries, who introduced Christianity to the
original inhabitants, helped the Oneidas adapt the hymns to their native
language.
The project was initiated by Gerald Hill, an Oneida Tribe member and
President of the Indigenous Language Institute (ILI). The Mission of the ILI
is to collaborate with indigenous communities to revitalize and perpetuate
the languages and cultures of the original habitants of the Americas. Hill
says that the use of Native Languages to sing the hymns “helps sustain the
traditional values of Indian communities.” The video was co-produced and
narrated by L. Gordon “Gordy” McLester III, author, historian and founder of
the Oneida Indian Historical Society. Gordy, a member of the Oneida Singers
says “the language is at a real low point, and hopefully, with all the
efforts the tribe is making, we can revitalize the situation.”
Rozoff says that the mission of Firelight Media is “to preserve the
voices, the images and the integrity of American Indian values, beliefs and
ways of life through the people who know their stories.” He has produced 16
documentaries dealing with important issues concerning the Native Tribes in
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan, and has interviewed over 700 Tribal
Elders.
Rozoff will accompany the Oneida singers to Washington D.C. in September
for a series of events, including the NEA National Heritage Fellowships
banquet, concert and the awards presentation to be held on Capitol Hill. He
will be videotaping the Oneida Singer’s activities for a future documentary.
===========
CORRECTION FROM A READER:
I saw on your web site PowerHomeBiz.com an article titled "Two Rivers
Videographer Receives National Award: Documentary Chosen for Artistic
Excellence and Contributions to Nation's Cultural Heritage" (http://www.powerhomebiz.com/News/072008/source-media.htm)
This is incorrect. The Oneida Hymn Singers are the recipient of the
NEA National Heritage Fellowship, not the videographer. If you could
correct this on your web site, I would appreciate it. Please let me know if
you have any questions.
Regards, Liz Stark
Liz Stark
Communications Assistant
National Endowment for the Arts, rm. 614
1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20506
(Liza's email and phone number is available upon request)
|
