In honor of American Indian Heritage Month Indian Studies Association presents the 4th Annual American Indian Film Festival, running Nov. 4-24.  All films are free and open to the public.

Films begin at 7 p.m. in the Lecture Bowl of the Memorial Union, with a discussion to follow each film. 

The schedule:

Wednesday, November 4:  "Dead Man" -- This is the story of a young man's journey, both physically and spiritually, into very unfamiliar terrain. William Blake (Johnny Depp) travels to the extreme western frontiers of America sometime in the second half of the nineteenth century.  Lost and badly wounded, he encounters a very odd, outcast Native American, named "Nobody" (Gary Farmer), who believes Blake is actually the dead English poet of the same name.

Monday, November 9:  "Geronimo" -- In this documentary, strong contemporary Apache voices explore the many sides of the story of Geronimo. After his wife and children were murdered, he became a feared and hunted warrior. But his actions also divided the Apaches who were struggling to survive under unimaginable pressures. A complex figure within America's complex history of European-indigenous relationships, Geronimo left a legacy that resonates today.

Wednesday, November 18:  "First Stories, Volume III" --This program invited Aboriginal filmmakers to tell the stories that are important to them and their communities. It is a collection of short documentaries.

"His Guidance" -- Some Elders say, "the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth." It has a power that captivates and enchants us; it's a sound that few can resist. His Guidance is the story of Rocky Morin, a drummer who first felt the pull of the drum almost 15 years ago. He hasn't looked back since. This stirring short film examines his very personal relationship to the drum, including his first encounter with a powwow drum and how that experience ultimately changed his life. For this proud drum keeper, the drum is like a "kind old man," offering guidance and knowledge. The drummer shows us how he takes care of the drum-both physically and spiritually-and how it takes care of him in return. His Guidance is a powerful reminder of the need to maintain a strong connection to one's roots and that in doing so; we continue to honor the wisdom of the Elders.

"Hooked Up" -- For thousands of years, Aboriginal peoples have gathered together on Turtle Island, and today's modern world is no exception because it offers a new way of socializing-the internet. Hooked up is a fresh, inventive look at the net and asks us to consider this question: does the web provide Aboriginal people with a sense of community?

"Two-Spirited" -- This is the empowering story of Rodney "Geeyo" Poucette's shattering encounter with prejudice and his journey to overcome it. As a two-spirited person (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender), Geeyo hasn't always been so readily accepted in some Aboriginal communities. In August 2000, Geeyo registered as a dancer in the Kamloops Powwow under the Jingle Dress category-a category normally reserved for women. After competing, an elder discovered that Geeyo was, in fact, a man and took away his championship.

"Walking Alone" -- This is an edgy, searing portrait of an ex-gang member trying to make peace with his past. When Shawn Bernard started a rap group, he never dreamed that it would turn into a gang. But before long, the increasingly notorious Aboriginal gang, which eventually reached a national scale, overshadowed the rap group. In the wake of the rap group's demise, Shawn became a renowned drug dealer, living a high-risk lifestyle that would ultimately lead to tragedy.

Monday, November 23:  "Jim Thorpe, The World's Greatest Athlete" -- A look at the complex life of Jim Thorpe, the Native American sports icon, beginning with his boyhood in Indian Territory to his athletic stardom at Carlisle Indian Industrial School and the 1912 Summer Olympics, and the tumultuous events that happened afterwards.

Tuesday, November 24:  "No More Smoke Signals" -- Kili Radio, Voice of the Lakota Nation, is broadcast out of a small wooden house that sits isolated on a hill, lost in the vast countryside of South Dakota. It's a place that's long forgotten; lying at the crossroads between combat and hope, between the American dream and daily existence on America's poorest reservation.

For more information contact Amber Annis, Indian Studies Association, 701-777-4314.