Joanne Shenandoah - Native Women in Film and TV

In Honor and Loving Memory of our Sister and ICON Joanne Shenandoah
Tekaliwakwah

1957-2021

Legendary Oneida Singer,
Songwriter and Peace Humanitarian

"We mourn the passing of critically acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, Humanitarian, ICON Joanne Shenandoah the Wolf Clan of the Oneida Nation, of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy. Joanne had a light so bright that was undeniable, a Grammy Award winner, an accomplished recording artist, a global peacekeeper, a music matriarch. Her powerful voice transcends through the sky, stars, earth, sun, moon and vibrates through the sacred waters. Her legacy speaks to the hopes and aspirations of the generations yet to be born. Served on the RNCI Native Women in Film & Television in All Media – Media Coalition Board.

A Statement from Red Nation Celebration Institute

“Every word we speak; every song we sing; the songs which we subject ourselves to, whether in the womb, or as an elder, these songs affect us in very powerful and meaning ways. They can actually help to destroy us or they can help to heal us. In Iroqouis way, music is an integral part of who we are. So there are songs that celebrate all elements of the earth. There are songs that will quicken your death. There are songs to sing to the plants and the medicines so that they will fulfill their responsibility. So walking upon this earth is pretty amazing. If you believe that you have a special gift, (which you do), if you use that in a good way, with a good mind, that gift actually helps to transform our entire being and it actually has a great effect on the earth.”

“In the Iroquois way, it was decided by the women (Clan Mothers), who were responsible for the political, social and spiritual welfare of our people. They inspired the Women’s Suffragette movement and were responsible for choosing the leaders and taking them out of office. To this day, we remain ever vigilant of our place upon mother earth as we considered “Lifegivers”. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children have clean air and water. It is up to us to provide them with a better earth than we found it unto the seven generations.”

~ Joanne Shenandoah

Monday December 7, 2021 Joanne Shenandoah was laid to rest, our sister friend family . I am still so overwhelmed and grieved by this all. Something that Jo and I were working on moving into 2022. I made a promise to Jo that I would share this film that was produced by PBS A Special ‘Dancing On Mother Earth’ in which she shares about the unconscionable act of a man who disenfranchised her and the Clan Mothers.

She told me to share with everyone … Joanne Shenandoah—who, along with her sister and family, has been disenfranchised by the Oneida autocracy since 1995—she went on to speak and sing her keynote address at the 16th National Indian Nations Conference: Justice for Victims of Crime. #StopDisenrollment

I have known Joanne like since forever – in our late 20’s we would sing at different venues – events together we would be on the same bill. Later in our life, I became a relative of the Haudenosaunee with a blood nephew. We began working together again in 2018 through 2021 and we had so many plans. I know she will help guide me with the work we have planned just now from the spirit world. Aheya dear beautiful Joanne In Prayer

Your Gorgeous Voice will be Heard for Generations to Come

~ Oyate Wayanka Po Win Joanelle Romero

Joanne Shenandoah Served on the RNCI Native Women in Film & Television in All Media – Media Coalition Board from 2018 to 2021. She would help lead with our Call to Action #WhyWeWearRED and wrote this song for Missing & Murdered Native Women.

The American Holocaust Series E | 1

A Film & Conversation Original Series dedicated to the Native Perspective

A Red Nation TV Special Live Engagement

A provocative look into the history of Native Americans in the United States and the healing power of justice.

The Conversation Series American Holocaust: When Its All Over I’ll Still be Indian

This is an important and timely conversation looking into the Award -winning documentary American Holocaust: When Its All Over I’ll Still Be Indian -Short-Listed for an Academy Award® in 2000 and tapping into the Doctrine of Discovery.

The first and only film to date that addresses the American Indian and Jewish Holocausts. This powerful, hard-hitting documentary reveals the link between Adolf Hitler’s treatment of German Jews and the U.S. government’s treatment of American Indians depicts disturbing parallels between these two Holocausts and explores the historical, social and religious roots of America’s own “ethnic cleansing.” The film also examines, through the words and experiences of contemporary Indian people, the long term lasting effects of this on-going destructive process and the possible ramifications for the future of American Indian people in the 21st century. Director: Joanelle Romero Narrated by: Ed Anser

Supported by: Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev, Rabbi Debra Orenstein, Shoah Foundation, Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles & American Indian Communities.

Executive Producers: Elizabeth Sage Galesi, Phillip M. Haozous, Teddy Parker, Kathleen Jones, David Aurbey, Windhollow Foundation, Connie Stevens.

Guests

Oren Lyons

Joanne Shenandoah

Phillip Whiteman Jr.

Gabe Galand

A Martinez

Joanelle Romero

The American Holocaust Series E | 3

A Film & Conversation Original Series dedicated to the Native Perspective

A Red Nation TV Special Live Engagement

A provocative look into the history of Native Americans in the United States and the healing power of justice.

The Conversation Series
Native Women’s Modeling of Democracy: Why We Wear Red

This is an important and timely conversation today examining democracy, fair governance, the 100-year anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the United States, VP Joe Biden’s Violence Against Women’s Act, the representation of Native Women in film and television – lack of inclusion, and Why We Wear RED.

Guests

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

Secretary U.S. Department of Interior Deb Haaland

Joanne Shenandoah

Joanelle Romero

Special performance by

Dinesa Rose Blackhorse Member of the Rose Sioux Tribe