Vision Maker Media is marking its 45th anniversary in 2021 with a yearlong celebration of free events, including thematic online film screenings, online virtual programs and more.

To celebrate Women’s History Month in March, Vision Maker Media will launch its first online program of 2021, a community-themed online film streaming event titled “commUNITY: Herald Native Women.” All March programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. The Cherokee Nation Film Office is a sponsor of Vision Maker Media’s 45th anniversary events.

The March celebration will include a program of seven films — two short and five feature-length documentaries — all produced and/or directed by women, and a panel discussion organized in partnership with Americans for Indian Opportunity. Founded in 1970 by LaDonna Harris (Comanche), Americans for Indian Opportunity advances, from an Indigenous worldview, the cultural, political and economic rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world.

The seven films will be available all month for streaming 24/7 on Vision Maker Media’s website.. The films portray Native women in leadership, coming of age, and language revitalization. All are available worldwide. For more information about the films and to register, visit the website.

“Making Matriarchs — Indigenous Values-Based Leadership Development,” a panel discussion featuring four Native women leaders who are among the more than 250 graduates of Americans for Indian Opportunity’s Ambassadors Program, will take place 7 p.m. March 16 via Zoom. This ambassadors program is the only national leadership training that encourages Native leaders to weave their traditional tribal values in a contemporary reality in order to affect positive social change and advance human rights.

“Americans for Indian Opportunity is pleased to partner with Vision Maker Media during Women’s History Month as we showcase some of the many contributions of Indigenous women to American society,” said Laura Harris (Comanche), executive director of Americans for Indian Opportunity. “Together, we can amplify Native voices, build awareness and understanding, and share a positive and contemporary Indigenous narrative.”

Panel participants include: Francene Blythe-Lewis (Diné, Sisseton-Wahpeton, Eastern Cherokee), executive director, Vision Maker Media (introduction); Laura Harris (Comanche), executive director, Americans for Indian Opportunity (moderator); Janeen Comenote (Quinault/Hesquiaht/Oglala), executive director, National Urban Indian Family Coalition (panelist); Brittany Schulman (Waccama Siouan), director of leadership initiatives, AIO (panelist) and Lindsay Early, deputy director, National Indian Child Welfare Association (panelist). The fourth panelist is unconfirmed at press time.

The panelists will discuss the importance of female leadership and the influence of matriarchy. They will talk about the work they do for social change and education, and how they utilize the teachings of the ambassadors program and their “Medicine,” personal strengths and talents, for the good of their communities and humanity.

“commUNITY: Herald Native Women.”