Beverly Singer

Beverly Singer [1955-] grew up in the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico. When she was 14, she was inspired to become a filmmaker when a Hollywood crew made a movie on her reservation. Although she watched the entire production, from set building to applying makeup, she was most impressed by the work of the director. Singer studied filmmaking in college, but her career as a video maker began after graduate school, where she completed a documentary-filmmaking program. Since then, her videos have received national acclaim, including a Sundance Institute award for Hózhó of Native Women, in which Native American women tell stories about how they merge traditional ways with contemporary life. Although Beverly Singer makes films, she has also shared her art with young people by teaching videography to Native communities in a variety places from Arizona to New York City Currently Singer is a professor of anthropology and Native studies at the University of New Mexico.

Let's explore Native American filmmaking    Beverly Singer feels that American Indian filmmakers can better share with the audience what it means to be a Native person in America. However, she feels that audiences need to be better informed to appreciate and understand such films. Only a few films directed by Native people have been shown on television or in movie theaters. Many Americans are more comfortable with the stereotypes about Native peoples and are often surprised when they see Native people on screen who are intelligent, provocative, funny, and living in the present, View one of Beverly Singer's films: Native Children to Children; Diabetes: Notes from Indian Country; Bill Tall Feather: A Native Treasure; Apache Youth: Winners, Not Losers; Hózhó of Native Women; He Wo Un Poh: Recovery in Native America; or Mondo's Story. Before viewing, have the students discuss what they are expecting to see. After viewing, have the students revisit their expectations and ask them if the film changed their perceptions of Indian people.

Let's investigate Native actors     Have the class research Native American actors and view some of their films. Have the students discuss how these actors are cast — whether they play parts of Native Americans or portray characters that can be any ethnicity (doctors, teachers, mechanics, etc.). Some actors to research are Irene Bedard, Benjamin Bratt, Tantoo Cardinal, Rodney Grant, Graham Greene, Litefoot, Carmen Moore, Wes Studi, and Floyd Westerman. Have the students write to some of their favorite actors and ask them questions designed by the group.

Making connections      Research Native American directors and view films that are age-appropriate. The Spirit Bay Series (available through the Altschul Group, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201; 800-323-5448) is a good place to start. Some directors to research are Dean Bear Claw, Crow; Arlene Bowman, Navajo; George Burdeau, Blackfeet; Phil Lucas, Choctaw; Victor Masayesva, Hopi; Sandra Osawa, Makah; and Chris Spotted Eagle, Houma.