NEWS :: Red Cloud Indian School

Senior, recent Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, to premiere short film at PBS special event
posted on April 30, 2009

Red Cloud High School Senior Shelby Ross, a recent recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship, has been selected by South Dakota Public Broadcasting to premiere her short film “War Paint” in Rapid City this weekend. The film will play prior to a special preview of “Wounded Knee,” part of PBS’s new series “We Shall Remain,” which examines pivotal events in the American Indian experience after the arrival of European settlers.

The only high school student chosen for this honor, Ross’s film was developed as part of Red Cloud’s video production course, and documents her male classmates as they learn about the history and meaning behind Lakota war paint.

“The idea for this film came about when I realized how many of my male classmates honor the tradition of wearing war paint prior to their athletic events,” Ross says. “Indian war paint has a storied history, and this project allowed me to engage my elders to learn about that history and provide understanding and perspective on what my fellow students do today.”

While historically “war paint” denotes a connotation of going to battle, in Lakota history the ceremonial and sacred act of putting paint on one’s body is meant to bring good luck and success, and does not symbolize hate nor anger.

“A lot of dedication, time and talent went into Shelby’s short film,” says Matt Rama, the school’s video production teacher. “Premiering her film alongside ‘We Shall Remain’ is a testament to not only Shelby’s hard work, but her sincere interest in telling stories of her heritage. All of us at Red Cloud are proud of her.”

The special preview of the film will take place Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Elks Theater in Rapid City, South Dakota.

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