Future films in this series

An important period of history?

The documentation of Native history during the 20th century is particularly important because this period saw the greatest changes which Native cultures have ever experienced. many would argue, that such rapid and far-reaching changes will never be experienced again. From the point of view of the historian, anthropologist or documentary film maker, such documentation is urgent - because the generations who experienced the greatest changes of the second half of the 20th century have a unique insight - they experienced - many at first hand - the traditional native way of life. They grew up under living conditions which had not changed dramatically for centuries, to experience - within a few decades - an almost all encompassing transformation of their society and culture. Native cultures always had leaders - but the leaders of this period were the first to become politically and educationally fluent in the world outside their communities. History would dictate, that it would be this generation of Native leaders who would fight for their lands and the survival of their culture. Many such leaders and their contemporaries are still politically or professionally active - their experience of life before, during and following the fight for land is important for future generations. They are the link between the Native past and the Native future. And their experience and stories are valuable for natives and non-natives alike.

Building bridges

The fight for the land in the 60's and 70's resulted in Native society - throughout Alaska and the rest of the Arctic world - withdrawing into itself to establish a common ground and to tackle the enormous challenges which came in the wake of many Native lands settlements. Native cultures are no longer isolated - some, including those in Alaska, have extensive political and corporate ties with the western world. Their political success has given them access to the international political forum. Yet the divide between the native and non-native (or rural and urban ) worlds still exists. Native organizations face important challenges on issues relating to sovereignty, subsistence, military presence, trade and transport - all of which require an understanding of the Native world on the part of Western cultures. Education and information are vital prerequisites for building such an understanding. The "Native Experience" series attempts to address these issues - to give present youth and future generations of Natives and non-natives alike access to the experience and wisdom of those who lived through this important historical period.

Plans for new films in the "Native Experience" series

Channel 6 Television Denmark is currently planning a continuation of the "Native Experience" series. We are focusing on two areas of project development, which individually or together would supplement the existing four episodes from Alaska.

Alaska

Firstly, our work in Alaska has given us extensive experience and valuable contacts in Native government, corporate organizations, cultural organizations throughout Alaska. Given that the first four episodes described here were produced for an Inuit audience, we have focused so far on the North Slope and Northwest Arctic regions of Alaska. There remains a wealth of Native experience in other regions of Alaska which would supplement the existing episodes and result in a comprehensive portrayal of this subject - focusing on aspects of Native life in other regions which differ greatly from the regions we have covered so far. We are therefore exploring all avenues for financing and realizing a similar number of episodes from other regions of Alaska - once again we intend to work closely with Native governments and organizations in these regions.

Other Arctic regions

Secondly - through our connections and previous production experience in the Arctic, we see "Native Experience" as a valuable platform for documenting the modern history of the Inuit world, in which there are many parallels to the story of Native Alaska. We are therefore exploring possible ways to finance and realize a similar series of documentary films about the Inuit regions of Canada. Eventually, we hope to complete this collection of films with episodes from Greenland and Chukotka. We are interested in any co-operation with Native government, cultural or corporate institutions which may be able to assist us on any of the above projects.

Adrian Redmond Channel 6 Television Denmark