“My Own Private Lower Post” is the story of Duane Gastant’ Aucoin, a two-spirit Tlingit, as he seeks to understand how his mother Vicky Bob’s experience at Lower Post Indian Residential School have influenced and shaped his life. As she shares her story, he comes to understand how he too is a survivor. Haa Koosteeyi (Our Tlingit Way) is where mother and son find the strength to overcome and truly survive. A testament of the strength of our cultural ways as a means of healing and overcoming the impact of colonization on the Native people of this land.

On Wednesday, April 11, from 6-8 p.m., come to a screening of Yvonne Latty’s documentary, “Sacred Poison.” The event will take place at the Carter Journalism Institute, 20 Cooper Square, 7th floor. Prof. Andrew Needham will act as interlocutor for the documentary and lead a discussion. As well, Prof. Latty hopes to have Earl Tulley, one of the key voices in the documentary, participate via Skype. The film is 30 minutes long, and short reception will follow the screening.

Prof. Latty is Director of the Reporting New York and Reporting the Nation programs at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. The film recently won Best Documentary Short Film at the Phoenix Film Festival. Prof. Latty sent the following description:

“The documentary shows the devastating toll past uranium mining has had
on the Navajo people and discusses the potential risks posed by a
renewal of uranium mining. It lays out the complex and conflicting
economic, political, environmental and spiritual issues involved.
However, this documentary in no way portrays the Navajo as victims of
outside forces, but rather agents of change within their community and
beyond.”

For more information on the issue, the following links are stories about Earl Tulley and energy and mineralization issues on the Navajo Nation.

1. Navajo Environmental Activist Earl Tulley Announces Candidacy for Navajo Vice President
2. Navajos Hope to Shift From Coal to Wind and Sun

Don’t miss this opportunity for Native LGBTQ and two-spirit youth to tell your stories and support one another.

Storytelling is powerful - it helps us explain our world, share information, and build stronger communities. The stories of two-spirit/LGBTQ youth need to be told. Share your story, and help us inspire other youth, educate those who don’t understand, and support one another.

We R Native. We R Proud.

Entries will receive: $25 and may be showcased on We R Native’s website – coming soon! This opportunity is open to American Indian and Alaska Native youth 13-21 years old.

Send entries to: native@npaihb.org by April 30, 2012.