The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Harlem, MT - In 2022, after meeting virtually for several months, MAPS Media Institute facilitated an intensive one-week film workshop hosted at Aaniiih Nakoda College in the Fort Belknap Indian community of north central Montana. Students interviewed tribal and cultural leaders, parents, and one another to start a community conversation about a topic affecting past, present, and future generations. The product of this collaboration is the film "Blood Quantum" which premiered on April 29, 2023, at the "Guiding the Way from Our Past into Our Future" student film festival held in Harlem, Montana.

"The students chose the topic of Blood Quantum and the other things that go with it, like tribal IDs and treaties, because we felt it needed to be the next public conversation we have in our native communities," said Student Director and 2023 Harlem High School graduate Amilia Blackcrow.

Those interviewed for "Blood Quantum" gave honest and diverse answers to the many student questions, including: "How do you identify Blood Quantum?"; "What are ways Native Indigenous people can address Blood Quantum?"; and "What is your opinion of Tribal IDs?"

"The student's thoughtful questions encouraged interviewees to think about their history, identity, and beliefs. Some had answers, and others found that they still had questions and something new to think about," said Craig Todd, the Advisor for Milk River Productions (the student-formed production company formed through a 2019 MAPS film workshop).

"Blood Quantum" is not only a film about percentages of Native Indigenous blood a person possesses. At one point, Blackcrow asks, "What defines you as a Native Indigenous person?" The answers are thought-provoking and drive to the mutual understanding that culture holds a place of importance above all else.

When asked what she hoped people would take away from "Blood Quantum," Blackcrow said, "I hope this film shows how important it is to be educated, not only with a degree but with who you are within your culture. I also hope it helps people realize that we are always evolving and growing and aren't always going to look the same. We are a community and must stick together rather than bring each other down."

"Blood Quantum" was produced in partnership with Fort Belknap and Harlem students, and MAPS Media Institute.

Clare Ann Harff, MAPS Executive Director, explains more about the "Blood Quantum" creative process saying, "This MAPS workshop started with the students exploring concepts and issues affecting their lives. Then, with the guidance of tribal knowledge keepers and professional artist-instructors, students learned research and interview techniques, cultural protocol and knowledge, filmmaking processes, camera and audio operation, digital file maintenance, and provided feedback in the editing process. While the students made all the major decisions with the interviews, filming, and editing, they also shared a collective sense of responsibility to ensure their vision was respectfully rooted within the needs of the larger Fort Belknap Native Community."

This film was made possible with support from Fort Belknap Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Aaniiih Nakoda College, the National Endowment for the Arts, Harlem High School, Greater Montana Foundation, The Steele-Reese Foundation, Craig Todd - Milk River Productions Advisor and MAPS Media Institute.

To watch "Blood Quantum" or to learn more about MAPS Media Institute, please visit: mapsmediainstitute.com

For more information, please contact Craig Todd at craigmttsa@gmail.com or (406) 690-2524.