The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded a $362,862 Project Grant to Film Independent, Inc. under the Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs (CFDA 45.164) on June 1, 2024. The grant supports the production of a feature-length documentary film titled "NIHUNAVEA: MY HEART, MY CENTER" that bears witness to the complex struggles of the Tejon Indian Tribe in reclaiming their cultural heritage, spirituality, and tribal sovereignty in California. The documentary, co-directed by an enrolled member and elected official of the Tejon Indian Tribe, reconstructs the history of the tribal community, explores the repatriation of artifacts, and strengthens the foundational core of the tribe's native identity through family and community. The project serves as a 21st century creation story of a California Native American tribe, capturing their journey to acquire land, retell stories, and rebuild their community after being disbanded for generations.
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