Location Managers Guild International Awards

L O C AT I O N M A N A G E R S G U I L D I N T E R N AT I O N A L 9 t h A N N U A L L M G I A W A R D S 2 7 F or nearly two decades, Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) has been reclaiming Native and Indigenous stories by countering stereotypes with authentic Native perspectives in media and pop culture. As the longest-running Native women-led Indigenous media arts and cultural nonprofit in the entertainment industry, it promotes initiatives that lift up the authentic voices of Native women, girls, and youth. RNCI Founder and President Joanelle Romero will accept the LMGI 2022 Trailblazer Award on behalf of the organization. Romero, who is celebrating 45 years in the entertainment industry, was cast as the lead role in George Harrison's award-winning film Powwow Highway, the first contemporary film that changed the Native narrative in Hollywood. She was also the first Native filmmaker to be short-listed for an Academy Award for the celebrated film American Holocaust: When It's All Over I'll Still Be Indian. Representing more than 575 Native nations with more than 5,000 Native and Indigenous content creators, the RNCI supports the Native Studies Center, Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts, and the Red Nation Television Network—the first online streaming network. Nearly 900 Native Indigenous filmmakers have participated in its Red Nation International Film Festival. Films directed by women have been supported by its Native Women in Film & Television in All Media since 1995. "Joanelle started Red Nation Celebration Institute and Red Nation Film Festival some 27 years ago and every year continues to put Native culture and Indigenous films in that venue," says location manager and RNCI partner Todd Christensen/LMGI. "She has nurtured talent and given our Native cultures a place to show their stories. She is a true trailblazer who has been committed to the stories and people who make them in a culture that has long been taken for granted in the world of entertainment and storytelling—but no more." Location manager Kristin Dewey/LMGI, Co-chair of the RNCI Indigenous Film Crew Registry, agrees. "Joanelle Romero and Red Nation Celebration Institute are unstoppable in their mission to bring film production jobs and revenue to First Nations people, with recognition and acknowledgment of Native land and culture." For training Native American location professionals and tribal film liaisons, for educating tribes to promote filming on the Reservations and bring revenue to Native communities, for its efforts to diversify the film industry, and its insistence to voice its own stories, the LMGI is honored to recognize the Red Nation Celebration Institute with its Trailblazer Award. –JOANELLE ROMERO, RNCI FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT WHO TELLS THE STORY MATTERS. WHEN IT COMES TO AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION IN FILM AND TELEVISION AND IN ALL MEDIA, IT'S UP TO US ALL, COLLECTIVELY, TO BE INCLUSIVE TO HIRE NATIVE INDIGENOUS TALENT IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE CAMERA, IN THE WRITING ROOMS AND AS EXECUTIVES AT STUDIOS. TO RECEIVE THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM THE LMGI SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THEIR COMMITMENT OF INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY FOR ALL!" "

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