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Independent Film to Address Diné Forced Relocation, Crowdfunding Campaign Underway

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powerlines-graphics-posterFLAGSTAFF, AZ — Diné activist, musician, and filmmaker Klee Benally hasn’t been known to pull punches when it comes to political issues, his latest feature film project “Power Lines” promises to keep up the fight.

“The impacts of forced relocation at Black Mesa on the Diné Nation, including historical trauma and colonialism, have not been addressed in a feature narrative before.” states Benally, who wrote the script and will be directing the film, “I intend for this project to have a deep and lasting impact on Indigenous youth affected by this crisis, as well as an indelible impact upon a much broader audience.”
 
The story follows Halee, a young Diné woman who expresses her angst through fierce slam-style poetry. When Halee’s abusive father crosses a line, her best friend convinces her to run away. Halee realizes very quickly that she is not running away from home, but to a homeland that she knew as a child.

The Power Lines crowdfunding campaign was launched on indiegogo.com to raise $15,000.00 and has so far raised close to $4,000.00 from 55 contributors. The deadline for fundraising is August 28.

“Certainly there are risks with any crowdfunding effort, but I feel very confident that we’ll be able to raise enough funds to cover essential costs for the film.” states Benally. “I consider crowdfunding to be community funding, it’s really a powerful way to go beyond corporate controlled media and tell our own stories. Crowdfunding also offers a way for folks to truly be part of the process in creating something that can have profound impacts.” said Benally.

Although this would be considered a “micro-budget” film, the proceeds will go towards paying the cast, crew, travel, food, accommodations, acquiring some basic equipment, and ensuring a high production standard for the film. Filming, which will be solar powered, is scheduled to begin fall 2014 with release of the completed movie by January 2015.

“We plan to start casting soon. We have already been scouting locations, getting paperwork in order, and assembling our crew.” states Benally. “I am really excited to be bringing the talent of mentors from Outta Your Backpack Media into this production as well.”

The Power Lines production team has recently welcomed Diné slam poet, Rowie Shebala, to the production team to bring her penned and spoken word skills to the film.

A digital download of the film is available for a $15 contribution. As with most crowdfunding campaigns there are some creative rewards or “perks” available as well, for $100 you can have a name displayed in graffiti in one of the films scenes, the perk also comes with a shirt and digital downloads of the film and soundtrack.

You can contribute to the campaign here: www.indiegogo.com/projects/power-lines-a-radical-indigenous-independent-feature-film

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_YLrwEVtEU

More information: www.powerlinesmovie.com

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Feature Front

The family of Klee Benally thanks you for the donations!

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The family extends their appreciation for the fierce outpouring of support. We cannot thank you enough. Ahééhéé. If you would like to support some of the work that still continues, please consider a donation to HaulNo. And we know you really want to go out and do some rabble-rousing. Don’t just do it for Klee, do it for you! Do it for the future. All our lives depend on it.

Donations for Haul No!

Klee was deeply involved in Haul No! to stimulate actions of resistance against Energy Fuels’ Pinyon Plain/Canyon Mine uranium mine, Energy Fuels’ White Mesa Mill, and related transport.

Continue the protection and fight for Mother Earth & human rights that Klee passionately fought for.

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Feature Front

No Thanks, No Giving! Indigenous Action Yearly Fundraiser (online)

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Support Indigenous radical autonomous, anti-capitalist, anti-colonial organizing & agitation!

COLONIZERS GOTTA PAY! SMASH THE NON-PROFIT CAPITALIST
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!

Donate to Indigenous Action:

LINK: www.paypal.com/paypalme/indigenousaction

This is our yearly call for material support for Indigenous Action activities & donation drive for Táala Hooghan infoshop unsheltered support & operational expenses.

Indigenous Action (IA/originally Indigenous Action Media) was founded on August 25th, 2001 to provide strategic communications and direct action support for Indigenous sacred lands defense. We are a volunteer-run radical autonomous crew of anti-colonial & anti-capitalist Indigenous trouble makers & propagandists.

We generally are comprised of designers, artists, writers & frontline agitators that work together on a project by project basis (some long-term some short) for liberation for Mother Earth and all her beings. We’ve organized hundreds of actions, marches, banner drops, workshops, conferences, benefits, & much more. 100% of all proceeds directly support radical Indigenous organizing. Everything we do is based on community support. We don’t rely on grants. We’re all in for total liberation.

Some (not all) active projects & organizing we’re currently directly involved with:

  • IA Podcast+ Táala Hooghan Infoshop
  • KinłaniMutualAid.org
  • HaulNo.com
  • ProtectthePeaks.org
  • Ongoing local/regional frontline support:
  • Resource/supply distro, bail, jail support
    organizing, etc.
  • Graphic & web support for a dozen
    current Indigenous-led campaigns.

Some larger yearly expenses we need immediate support for:

  • Táala Hooghan taxes & utilities (the space has been free to use by KMA for 3 years):
    Approx. $6,000+/year.
  • Regional supply distro for Indigenous unsheltered relatives: $1,000-$3,000, we also maintain funds for emergency hotels.
  • Anti-state repression + DA support: $3,000+ varies, but we maintain an ongoing bail fund & frontline resource support.

www.indigenousaction.org

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anti-colonial

16th Annual No Thanks, No Giving!

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Indigenous Action presents:
16th Annual No Thanks, No Giving!
Food share, anti-colonial resistance & solidarity discussion circle, & online fundraiser!


DONATE: 



1:30p – 4pm
We will prepare and serve mutton stew and other foods for all who join us. Please bring any dish to contribute if you wish, we also plan on actively distributing (possibly mobile) any extra foods.

Local volunteers needed! Contact: indigenousaction@gmail.com

At 2:30p we will have a talking & action circle focused on anti-colonial resistance & solidarity. Representatives of Kinłani Mutual Aid, Haul No!, volunteers with Protect the Peaks, and autonomous organizers supporting unsheltered relatives will present & discuss upcoming actions & organizing. We will also discuss building Indigenous solidarity with local efforts to Free Palestine. Come ready to share, support and get involved! Everyone welcome!
This event is free, please bring donations for unsheltered relative support (tents, sleeping bags, tarps, jackets, etc).

This is also our yearly fundraiser for Táala Hooghan infoshop and Indigenous Action activities!
Please donate online via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/indigenousaction
Support Indigenous autonomous organizing and agitation!

*We will not host a livestream this year.

When: Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023
1:30pm – 4:00pm MST.

Where: Táala Hooghan Infoshop1704 N 2nd St, Kinłani (Occupied Flagstaff), AZ

MASKS REQUIRED This event will be held both indoors and outdoors (dress warm!) with limited indoor space. We will maintain social distancing & mask protocols for immunocompromised relatives.

For 16 years we have hosted No Thanks, No Giving! as an anti-colonial event to bring together radical Indigenous voices, share traditional foods, and benefit unsheltered relatives at Táala Hooghan Infoshop in Kinlani (Flagstaff, AZ). More info: www.indigenousaction.org

#nothanksnogiving #MutualAid #indigenousmutualaid #solidaritynotcharity

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