'Choctaw Code Talkers,' 'River of Renewal' official selections at UNAFF film fest

Lincoln, Neb.: Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. (NAPT) is proud to announce that two films--Choctaw Code Talkers and River of Renewal--who received major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through NAPT's Public Television Program Fund are official selections for the 14th United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF). Held October 21-30 in Palo Alto, Stanford University, East Palo Alto and San Francisco, the Festival was originally conceived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

From Producers Valerie Red-Horse (Cherokee) and Gale Anne Hurd, Choctaw Code Talkers takes you into the warfare trenches of 1918, when Choctaw members of the American Expeditionary Forces--who were not yet U.S. citizens--were asked by the U.S. government to use their Native language as a powerful tool against the German Forces in World War I. These brave Choctaw soldiers set a precedent for code talking as an effective military weapon that established them as America's Original Code Talkers.

"This is an important story of heroic men whose wartime contributions helped to change the course of world history. Their code was created while the men risked their lives fighting in Northern France during the fiercest and bloodiest battles of World War I. The Choctaw American Indian soldiers outwitted their German opponents, turning the tide of the War and ensuring the Allied victory," said Hurd.

From Producers Jack Kohler (Karuk/Yurok/Hoopa) and Stephen Most, River of Renewal traces the tumultuous back story of the Klamath River Basin in Northern California and southeastern Oregon. Home to ranchers, farmers, commercial fisherman and the Yurok, Karuk and Hoopa Tribes, these groups have vied for the rights to the Klamath River and its tributaries. The river is a vital spawning habitat for wild Pacific salmon. Hydroelectric dams have impeded the salmons' ability to migrate between the ocean and their breeding grounds which has been culminated by low river levels resulting from agricultural use leading to the mass death of migrating fish.

"The dams were built in a time when jobs were needed and sources of energy were scarce. Now we realize the mistakes that were made," stated Kolter.

The UNAFF Festival theme this year is "Education is a Human Right." NAPT strives to be the curator of Native voices in the media, the home and most importantly, the classroom. To download free educational resources for Choctaw Code Talkers and River of Renewal, visit www.nativetelecom.org/education.

NAPT's Executive Director Shirley K. Sneve commented, "NAPT is thrilled to have not just one, but two or our titles selected for this prestigious film festival. With over 600 submissions received by UNAFF, NAPT and VisionMaker are honored to have such great authentic, Native documentary work represented at this high-profile event."

To find out more about Choctaw Code Talkers and River of Renewal, visit us online at shopvisionmaker.org or www.nativetelecom.org. Follow us on the web at  www.facebook.com/nativemedia and www.twitter.com/nativemedia.

Interested in helping to share Native stories with the world? Become a Friend of NAPT by visiting www.friendsofnapt.org.



About UNAFF

UNAFF is an independent project of the UNA-USA, a non-profit organization. By making a tax-deductible donation to UNAFF, you will directly give a chance to tens of thousands of people to see these important films that bring us together as a diverse community.



About NAPT

Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. (NAPT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) which receives major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, shares Native stories with the world through support of the creation, promotion and distribution of Native media. Founded in 1977, through various media-public television, public radio and the Internet--NAPT brings awareness of Indian and Alaska Native issues. NAPT operates AIROS Audio, offering downloadable podcasts with Native filmmakers, musicians and Tribal leaders. VisionMaker is the premier source for quality Native American educational and home videos. All aspects of our programs encourage the involvement of young people to learn more about careers in the media--to be the next generation of storytellers. NAPT is located at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. NAPT offers student employment, internships and fellowships. Reaching the general public and the global market is the ultimate goal for the dissemination of Native-produced media. For more information, visit www.nativetelecom.org.