About Secret History ™ – WOMEN WARRIORS

 

“A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then its finished; no matter how brave its warriors or how strong their weapons.”

― Cheyenne Proverb

Throughout history, indigenous women have made extraordinary contributions to their culture and societies leading lives as healers, leaders, political advisors and even warriors.  No one can argue that all are Warriors in their own right. Regrettably, mainstream history has often relegated these remarkable female achievements to secondary roles, overshadowed by dominant male narratives.

The second installment in the SECRET HISTORY ™ series remedies that as WOMEN WARRIORS shines a light on seldom heard historical indigenous female narratives from across North American circa the late 1600’s to the early 1900’s.

Each half-hour episode tells the story of one remarkable Indigenous woman by drawing a through-line of information via speaker testimony from historians, tribal elders and/or direct descendants. Exercising the same format established in Season I; “The Wild West”, these unique perspectives are visually backed up through a well-crafted blend of historical archive photos, motion comic animation and cinematic style action packed re-enactments.

WOMEN WARIORS continues to mesmerize and engage the audience with its powerful portrayal of real Female Indigenous North American History as we bring stories to life from these unsung historical heroines.

 

 

Julian Black Antelope

Julian returns as the host in Season II, embodying our beloved mischievous and omnipotent TRICKSTER. Guiding the audience through each episode, Trickster moves the story along by breaking the fourth wall to provide insightful commentary on the action and characters and added entertainment value with his unpredictable and comedic behavior.

Sandra Manyfeathers “AHSTANSKIAKI”

Sandra Manyfeathers is a proud member of the Kainai First Nation and fluent Blackfoot speaker. Sandra is the Academic Coordinator/Instructor of Blackfoot Language & Culture Programs at Werklund School of Education and University of Calgary where she is also a professor in the linguistics deptament. She received three of her degrees from the University of Calgary which include a BA in Canadian Studies, a BEd, an MEd degree and is currently enrolled in studies toward an EdD, Learning Sciences. Sandra has received many awards for language teaching include the YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award, Global TV’s Woman of Vision Award & the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award from the City of Calgary for her work on Blackfoot Language Revitalization.  Sandra loves all things Blackfoot including the language & traditional ways of knowing and is committed to making her vision for the future a reality where young Blackfoot people are speaking the language fluently.

Rod Scout – Siksika Nation (Blackfoot)

Elder for the Blackfoot Societies
Blackfoot Language / Cultural Consultant
Former Police Officer
Fish & Wildlife Officer
Security Consultant
Entrepreneur

Likes to go Fishing & Powwowing (Grass dancer/Singer) and riding horses.

One of the most important accomplishment is not only being a Husband, father and a grandfather but also encouraging the youth to get involved with their language and culture, with particular emphasis on family values and cultural protocols are very important for the youth to understand and respect. “It’s not enough to just know but to play an active role in living this way of life.”

“As a young man I grew up traditionally as my grandparents were involved in all aspects of my life. Story telling was one of the main teaching methods and knowing the songs that accompany these stories. It’s means were told to me on snowy nights, so that I never forget their origins.”

If I was to leave a message behind it would be:

“Live your life knowing where you came from and how you going to pass your story on to the next generation, to live your life humbly and to accept all challenges that come your way”

Kerry Scott – B.A., M.A. – Biography

Kerry Scott, a Blackfoot artist and researcher, resides on the Peigan Reserve in Alberta Canada. Born in Pincher Creek in 1952, Kerry grew up on both the Peigan Reserve and the Blood Reserve. After losing both parents at a very young age, he and his underage siblings attended Residential Schools on both Reserves. Kerry returned to academics later in life. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Lethbridge in 2002 and then received his Master of Arts in 2007.

Kerry’s Master’s thesis is a contemporary depiction of Blackfoot history through Indian eyes, drawing on traditional narratives, writings of early explorers, personal experience and art work to impart his story. According to Kerry the oral tradition of the First Nation people was a muti-means of communication hence the production of the edition of “A Contemporary Winter Count.”

The main influences for Kerry’s unique style of storytelling is to maintain the old culture while incorporating the history of Native people in a way that everyone can understand it by simply using the five senses that most of us are born with.
Kerry draws on the inspiration his wife Lynette and son Joseph give him as he prepares to present his work to the public. They take great pride in their son’s interests in Native American Studies, history, arts and culture they both studied in university. They created Joseph’s Chicken Dance regalia together, maintaining a connection to their Blackfoot culture and history that Kerry talks about in the presentation of his art. Kerry experienced working on film productions as a Native technician and advisor to the productions:

 

  • Native Advisor (2006). Buffalo Coat Productions Inc,: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
  • Native Advisor (2004-2005). Dreamworks (Stephen Spielberg) Television and Turner Network Television: Into the West-Wheel to the Stars.
  • Native Advisor (2004-2005) Dreamworks (Stephen Spielberg) Television and Turner Network Television: Manifest Destiny.
  • Native Advisor (2004=2005) Dreamworks (Stephen Spielberg) Television and Turner Network Television: Into the West- Dreams and Schemes.
  • Native Advisor (2002). Hallmark Entertainment: Dreamkeepers.