Salmon Corps students attending one of the the screenings and discussion.

The Series
The 3 films selected for inclusion in the Native American Film and Discussion Series deal with some of the most visible and important issues for Indian people in the Columbia River Basin today: fishing, dams and gaming. Each is also connected to the larger issue of Indian sovereignty.
2 screenings were held daily - the first for students, elders and tribal employees; and the second for the general public. More than 360 people attended the series throughout the 3 day run.

The Place of the Falling Waters, Roy Bigcrane and Thompson Smith, producers
Usual and Accustomed Places, Sandra and Yasu Osawa, producers
Hand Game, Lawrence Johnson, producer

Lawrence Johnson( center) answers a question from the audience about his film "Hand Game." Film Series Moderator and media specialist Ray Young and handgame player Rose Peo join Larry.

"I had heard about the stick before, but didn't understand what it was. But now I know, and I learned how much in common tribes of the west have with each other. I think this was a great series." - audience member comment, Hand Game screening

"Thank you - [You're] to be commended - powerful - informative - struck me emotionally." -audience member comment, The Place of the Falling Waters screening

Thompson Smith (left) and Roy Bigcrane relax before a screening of their film, "The Place of the Falling Waters".

Andrea Reidell, (left)Center for Columbia River History Program Coordinator, and Pam Fabela, Yakama Nation Museum Technician, participating in an interview with a Yakima TV station.

"Proud to be a member of Yakama Nation." - audience member comment, Hand Game screening

I am only 13, but I get very interested in things such as this. I feel you did a spectacular job. The film was great. And as a child I've never really heard a whole story [about] Celilo. I think it [opens] up alot of young people [such] as me. - audience member comment, Usual and Accustomed Places screening

Pam Fabela and Ray Young waiting for a film screening to begin.

Yasu and Sandra Osawa, producers of "Usual and Accustomed Places."

"Need more films for Indians to view to see history of our people. We need to see such films. So much history [focuses] on the northern and southern plains - we need more NW history." - audience member comment, Usual and Accustomed Places screening

The Native American Film and Discussion Series was supported in part by a grant from the Washington Commission for the Humanities, a state-wide non-profit organization supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and local contributors.