Shix myskee immi nae mo ma. Innash wanisha Wishcum Sha-lee-lah. Innash wanisha shiapo
Shanoa Pinkham. (This day is good, my people. My Wishccum name is Sha-lee-lah and my
English name is Shanoa Pinkham). As a University of Washington (UW) student double majoring in Communications and American Indian Studies, my long term goal is to be a documentary film director/writer, (Media Medicine). And as a student who continually travels from “Reservation to Urban life”, traditional teachings and family have been my strongest medicine.
As a traditional Food Gather for the Wa'Shut Satus Longhouse, it was special to me to wear our wing-dresses to dig and gather our sacred foods with my mother and the other women. And hearing the sacred songs from our drummers and witness my brothers and father dancing, and hearing the Elder's teachings was a healing process that became a way of life. Later on it was discovered that this medicine would carry me through transitional times in my life. When transferring from a small 2A high school on the reservation to succeeding and graduating at a 4A high school in Seattle was academically and socially challenging. During that time, three urban youth programs gave me strength and strong medicine to continue in my journey.
As a participant in Red Eagle Soaring (RES) Native American Youth Theater, Seattle Clear Sky Native Youth Council, and Longhouse Media/Native Lens Superfly youth workshops has inspired my hopes and dreams and nurtured my passion in pursuing the Media Arts. This inspired my first film documentary, “House Bill 1495” made for my senior project. This highlighted how tribes in Washington state developed education into sovereignty rights for the public schools curriculum and in 2005 this bill was signed by the governor. This strength has continued to bless me in my pursuit of higher education.
As a media storyteller of Native historical and contemporary cultural teachings has proven to be my greatest strength and healing circle. As UW Director of the American Indian Student
Commission (AISC) it was an honor to organize and showcase award-winning film documentaries such as “Fry Bread Babes”, “March Point”, and “Still” on campus and to have each of these Native directors stay for a Q&A for our audience. As an instructor/mentor teaching interviewing, filming, and editing skills to children and youth in the Yakama Nation Cultural Multi-Media Youth Workshop, our goal was to promote cultural preservation and language revitalization. When a lO-year old boy came up to me and asked, “Excuse me, excuse me is it okay if I call my grandpa and interview him?” he was eager and happy and this moved and touched me. With a smile on my face and fighting back tears, I said, “Yes, of course you can!” At the end of the workshop, our Yakama Nation Tribal Councilmen and women, prominent professionals, and respected Elders were interviewed and put on the big screen at the Yakama Heritage Theater. This was an empowering experience that opened doors in filmmaking opportunities. In April 2011 Longhouse Media/Native Lens selected me as a student intern in a major movie film production called, “Winter in the Blood” filmed in Montana. This is an honor to be recognized and selected in the Longhouse Media/Native Lens internship program.
In reflection of being crowned Miss Yakama Nation 2011-2012, the medicine from the youth programs, the challenges of ASUW (Associated Students of the University of Washington)
Senate as well as political and academic activities, and my healing circle traveling from traditional gatherings, my father has often reminded me that during any life changes, our medicine comes from the Creator and will strengthen my walk in two worlds - the Reservation and the Urban. Within weeks after this honor, I was asked to speak at a high school graduation and a Rites of Passage graduation event in Seattle. This was the beginning of many honoring experiences, speaking engagements, and learning to accept my Ambassadorship from a place of strength and inspiration. My family and I are blessed for this new journey and will continue to bring honor and integrity to my Nation and the People.
In closing, through the empowerment and gift of filmmaking and the media arts, it has been a blessing to represent, protect, and promote our history, traditions, and many other teachings. It is my hope and dream to inspire our children and young people to stay in school, to pursue a higher education, and just as important, to preserve their own family history, stories, cultural and tribal preservation that can be passed from generation to generation - their own Media Medicine of storytelling.
Respectfully,
Shanoa Pinkham
