7:30 pm | 1 hour 18 minutes | Documentary
American Native is a groundbreaking documentary about a misunderstood indigenous tribe living just thirty minutes from Manhattan. The film explores the group’s fight for recognition as Native Americans after decades of being shrouded in mystery and discrimination. American Native examines the community’s efforts to gain recognition as a Native American tribe from the Federal Government and the private interests that may have colluded behind the scenes to prevent them from doing so. Through expert interviews and unbridled access, the film provides an in-depth look at the complex past, volatile present and endangered future of the Ramapough Lenape Nation.
American Native is currently in the midst of an impressive film festival run with appearances at The Napa Valley, Athens International, St. Tropez, Black Hills and San Antonio Film Festivals among others…most recently winning best documentary feature at the prestigious Manchester International Film Festival in England. Through it all, the film has received some wonderful exposure and garnered praise by several powerful media outlets including The New York Times, Native Sun News, The New Jersey Star Ledger, Asbury Park Press and The Bergen Record.
It is our hope as filmmakers that American Native elicits a conversation about race and identity in our country today by examining the academic, cultural and social definitions of the term ‘Native American.’
… To discover more about this important film, visit http://www.americannative-themovie.com where you can watch the trailer, learn about the production team and most importantly, the fascinating history of the Ramapough Lenape Nation.