Brooke Swaney

Filmmaker

BROOKE PEPION SWANEY (Blackfeet/Salish) is a filmmaker. Presently, she is in post-production on her first feature length documentary, DAUGHTER OF A LOST BIRD, funded by Vision Maker Media. In 2019, she was selected to participate as a NATIVe Fellow at the European Film Market/Berlinale. She is also a 2014 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Fellow and a 2013 Time Warner Fellow through the Sundance Institute. OK BREATHE AURALEE, her NYU graduate thesis film, screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and has TV distribution with FNX (First Nations Experience, a PBS affiliate). Brooke’s experience also includes producing BELLA VISTA (Rotterdam 2014), Vision Maker Media funded short film and new media project SIXTY FOUR FLOOD (PBS & PBS digital), and the first season of the podcast ALL MY RELATIONS (Matika Wilbur & Dr. Adrienne Keene). She also worked with Revolution Messaging on the Bernie Sanders 2016 Presidential campaign on their digital media team, producing, directing and editing; her Native Outreach ad I AM HUMAN received over 3 million hits on Facebook.

Tailyr Irvine

Photographer

Tailyr Irvine is a Salish and Kootenai photojournalist born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. She graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2018. Her work focuses on providing in-depth representations of the lives and complex issues within the diverse communities that make up Native America. Irvine worked in newsrooms across the country before beginning her career as an independent photojournalist and documentary photographer in 2019.Tailyr is 2019 National Geographic Explorer and We, Women Artist currently working on a project that explores the complexities of blood quantum and Native identity.

KiidTruth

Musician

Artie Mendoza, aka KiidTruth, was born in Southern California but raised on the Flathead Reservation in Pablo, Montana. Artie started making music when he was 8 years old. He recorded his first song by using a computer microphone and plug in speakers. He played a beat hit record on the computer, put the mic close to the speakers and recorded everything at once with no software. It was rough but it was a start. At age 11, he made the name KiidTruth because he was young and he used his music to speak the truth.

Artie always had a passion for music because it was something he could turn to when times got tough — rhyming about what’s going on in his life and what he has been through. Growing up wasn’t easy for Artie. He got judged and discriminated against because he wasn’t the kid with the new Jordans and didn’t have new clothes every other week. He was always the last for everything such as sports and, well, just school in general. So Artie wanted to make a name for himself and music was the venue. At 19, Artie finished his first mixed tape, “The Truth Speaks For Itself.” He only printed 10 copies at first but it became a huge success immediately and he had to print many more. Artie’s goal in music is to take his talent to the next level, collaborating with other underground and a few mainstream artists to spread his message. Artie is currently working on his second mixed tape.

Foreshadow

Musician

Shadow Deveraux developed a passion for music at the age of seven when his father gave him Tupac’s greatest hits on cassette. Before long, he was listening to other hip-hop artists and creating his own music. By the age of fifteen, Shadow recorded his own rap song and took the stage name Foreshadow.

Growing up on the Flathead Indian Reservation has given him plenty of material to inspire his music. His sound is described as a blend of modern trap rap and boom bap that includes descriptive lyrics which illustrate his own life experiences. Through his performances, he has shared a stage with other musicians including Waka Flocka Flame, Machine Gun Kelly, Yelawolf, Deltron 3030, Tech N9ne, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Alongside these professional accomplishments, Shadow counts some of his personal highlights as just as important. He was invited to be the keynote speaker to a graduating class of high school seniors, he organized a show for the youth on his reservation, and he collaborated on a youth music project titled “Healing Through Music.” Shadow’s passion for music, his family, his supporters, and representation for Native American youth continue to be the driving forces behind his unwavering devotion to creating music.

Yvng Vin

Musician

Vincent Bird-Webster, aka Yvng Vin, grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and like so many artists, his love of music started young. From the first time his dad shared Tupac Shakur, Vincent was hooked. His love grew as he heard other musicians like 50 Cent. He didn’t just want to listen, though. Yvng Vin, the rap artist from the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe, was born. His words express his life experience, and he loves performing. For Vincent, the first part of his dream has come true, being able to share his music with others. Now, he wants to continue doing what he loves and be a good role model.

The Pete Sisters

Musician

The Pete Sisters are the daughters of Shandin Pete and Linda Ferris. They were born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Their family history extends deep within the Bitterroot Salish tribe. They are descendants of Grizzly Bear Tracks, Louis Vanderburg, and Sack Woman. Early in their childhood, they learned the Salish language with their mother, listened to their father tell stories, and learned from Salisha how to bead and make a good soup. Music was a constant presence in their lives at powwows and family gatherings. They began singing together, and now they focus on writing music that explores their traditional heritage.

Chief Cliff Singers Drum Group

Musician

The Chief Cliff Singers Drum Group has been around for many, many years. Alec Lefthand of Dayton, MT was the original drum carrier/lead singer for Chief Cliff Singers. He retired in the late 70s and handed the drum down to Michel (Mike) Kenmille of Elmo, MT. Mike took the drum all over and worked on various projects including a trip to Norway and a Jazz CD Collaboration with Don Pullen. That was with Mike’s first group of singers, all of which are family in some way, his next group of singers was made up mostly by his nephews and son. This particular group was invited to Vancouver, B.C Canada to peform at the 2000 Winter Olympics!

In the song,“You Stay Way Over There, I’ll Stay Way Over Here” the singers are:

Mike Kenmille:  Drum Carrier/Lead Singer. Ksanka (Kootenai)—Elmo, MT

Stan Kenmille:  Ksanka (Kootenai)—Elmo, MT (son)

Willie Andrew:  Ksanka (Kootenai)—Elmo, MT (son)

Bow Horn-Weasel:  Assiniboine, Aaniiih & Cree- FT. Belknap—Hays, MT (Son-in-Law)

Allie Kenmille:  Ksanka (Kootenai), Blackfeet— Elmo, MT (Nephew)

Gabe Caye- Ksanka (Kootenai) — Elmo, MT

Hunter Numkena:  Ksanka (Kootenai), Blackfeet, Spokane and Hopi—Elmo, MT (great nephew)

Elias Alexander: Ksanka (Kootenai), Tobacco Plains Kootenai & Salish—Polson, MT

(Nephew)

Marshall Doney:  Assiniboine – FT. Belknap—Hays, MT (friend of SIL)

Joey Quincy:  Assiniboine – FT. Belknap—Hays, MT (Friend of SIL)

Dancers in Video:

Audrey Kenmille: Fancy Shawl Dancer—Ksanka (Kootenai)—Elmo, MT (Granddaughter/11 years old)

Leland Perez:  Prairie Chicken Dancer—Ksanka (Kootenai)—Elmo, MT (Great Great Nephew/8 years old)

Young Rexx

Musician

Trent Goss grew up on the Flathead Reservation, He started writing music when he was 11 years old. Now, at 17, he writes and performs original songs and says his biggest influencers are his family, and inspirational Native Americans such as Dull Knife, the chief of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and Jim Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes of all time. Goss is honored to be a part of the COVID-19 Youth and Community Awareness Campaign because it’s a chance for him to help change his community for the better so that his culture and Tribes can stay strong and healthy. “It gives me an opportunity to spread awareness about the COVID pandemic so that we can keep fighting back,” he said.

VONN

Musician

Davonne Curley, a musician and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, wants to do his part to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. At 14, it means a lot to him to be a part of the COVID-19 Youth and Community Awareness Campaign because he wants everyone to take the precautions necessary to protect elders. “I feel like we should be doing all that we can so our traditions and knowledge can remain strong and can be passed down,” he said.

Linda King

Beader

Linda King loves to share the artistic talents that she was given by the Creator and that were strengthened and enhanced by elders, family, and friends. From an early age, Linda learned how to bead and make traditional dance and ceremonial dress items from the elders around her. But when she went to powwows, her imagination took over, and she developed her own style. By 1972, she had started a beading company from her home, and she immersed herself in her art. Linda also attended the Salish Kootenai college and earned her associate degree in Child Development. She found that, along with her gift for creating, she had a passion for teaching. She took her knowledge of beading and cultural art and taught classes for schools both in and outside of her community. Linda’s work has also made an impact around the world. Her work has won awards and recognition from as far away as New Zealand and Norway. She loves that she is able to help keep the traditions alive for generations to come.

Roy Bigcrane

Voice Over Talent

Roy Bigcrane is a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.  He works at Salish Kootenai College, and has long done film work, including for the College’s PBS channel. Roy was a co-producer of “Place of the Falling Waters”, an award-winning documentary about the Selis-Ksanka-Qlispe Dam on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Roy is a producer of “In the Spirit of ʔAtatíc̓eʔ: the Untold Story of the National Bison Range” and the great-great grandson of ʔAtatíc̓eʔ.

Roy’s Radio Spot