Breaking The Circle: The Threat of Gangs in Indian Country
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Images
Website
Topics
Health: Narcotics
Human Development: Children, Education, Poverty, Social Exclusion, Urban, Youth
Human Rights: Civil Rights, Indigenous Rights, Race Politics
Information & Media: Communication, Culture
Politics: Activism, Ethics & Value Systems
Identity Niches
Budget
Raised to date: $10,000.00
Estimate to complete: $140,000.00
Total Estimated Budget: $150,000.00
The budget numbers above are accurate as of 07/16/2009
Status
Research & Development
Media Type
Video
Project End Use
TV
Key Personnel
Mark Anthony Rolo
Executive Producer/Producer
Mark Anthony Rolo is an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. He is the former Editor of The Circle newspaper and Washington D.C. Bureau Chief for Indian Country Today. He served as Executive Director of the Native American Journalists Association. He has worked for over ten years mentoring Native youth in journalism and creative writing. Mark Anthony is the editor of “The American Indian and the Media” (National Conference for Community and Justice, 2001), a resource book for reporters covering Indian Country. He is the Co-Writer and Host of “A Seat at the Drum” for PBS’ Indian Country Diaries Series (www.pbs.org/indiancountry). He is the producer of an upcoming documentary series: “Breaking the Circle: The Threat of Gangs in Indian Country”. Mark Anthony currently lectures at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He teaches journalism and writing for nonprofits as critical components of community leadership development skills.
Outreach/Engagement Plan(s)
The loss of culture is not new to immigrant communities in this country. In fact, assimilation into the mainstream melting pot has been the driving force behind the American dream. However, assimilation for Native people represents the very core loss of a nation's life. Fighting off government attempts to take the Indian out of the Indian has failed for the most part, but now the new threat of negative assimilation through gangs. The larger question is if gangs represent tight groups, families, extended communities what does tha say of the loss of community among Native and nonNative famlies, communities.
This film explores the very real issue of loss of culture, breakdown of nuclear families beyond Indians. We believe this is the threat of gangs in Indian Country, and ultimately in all of American society - gangs are replacing communal life and connections. The only problem with that is the entry fee is way to high to pay - death, jail, violence and the absolute loss of critical value of human life.
Funders
| Name | Amount | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native American Public Telecommunications (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) | $10,000.00 | 01/01/2009 |
Location
4829 Sheboygan Ave
#102
Madison, WI, 53705
Short Synopsis
Breaking the Circle: The Threat of Gangs in Indian Country is a two-part documentary series that explores increasing urban gang activity within tribal communities, Breaking the Circle also examines how Indian communities confront violence, drugs and other anti-social behavior that threatens Native American youth and the future of Indian Country.
Description/Treatment
Breaking the Circle is a two-part documentary film series (30 minutes each) focusing on the the challenges facing Indian Country's teen generation. We are in the very early stages of pre-production. From gang violcence, drugs and other anti-social behavior Indian youth are struggling to find their identity as the future leaders of Indian communitites across the nation.The documentary will feature interviews with Native youth, both urban and rural, and especially youth who are considered at risk. We will focus on two particular families - those struggling to find support and direction in tribal traditiions and a family that is not connected to culture. We will interview tribal leaders, educators and others who work wiith or are responsible for youth wellness. We will ask the very hard questions of why traditional Native culture has minimal appeal to Native youth, the lack of offering support, and the concerns about the future of the tribe if youth slip away. Visually, we will film on various tribal lands and communitites, mostly here in the midwest - the new ground for gang activity.
For decades Native people have survived colonialism, assimilation, poverty, alcoholism, boarding schools, racism and violence in and off the reservation. But today the largest growing segment of Indian Country - teens - are facing new forms of oppression that threatens their lives and future. The continual breakdown of nuclear families in rural and urban areas make the appeal of gang activity and culture a very real threat. The loss of traditional tribal values and customs are putting Native youth at great risk of losing their tribal anc cultural identity. Gangs threaten to shatter the sacred circle of tribal communal life. What must Indian Country leaders do to save a generation that may not value or carry on the history and traditions of a tribal nation?
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