Press Release 2006.10.05

Teachings of the Tree People Chronicles the Life of Local Native Teacher and Artist Bruce Miller

(Bainbridge Island, WA) — IslandWood announced today that its documentary, Teachings of the Tree People - The Work of Bruce Miller, will debut in Seattle at 3pm on October 8 at the Northwest Film Forum's Local Sightings festival. On November 2, the film will be broadcast on KCTS public television program "About Us" at 10pm (rebroadcast November 8 at 4am).

In addition, the Burke Museum on Seattle's University of Washington campus is showing the film in its galleries this fall. The film will be featured again at the George Gustav Heye Center in New York City, as part of the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) Film Festival on December 3rd.

Teachings of the Tree People has recently garnered national attention in showings at the United Nations' Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City, and at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

It premiered at the prestigious Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana in February of this year and will air on public broadcasting television stations nationwide in November, presented by Native American Public Telecommunications.

Teachings of the Tree People chronicles the late Gerald Bruce Miller (subiyay), nationally acclaimed Skokomish cultural leader, as he crafts traditional woven cedar mats and offers powerful insights on the role of a teacher in Native culture. Miller became the bearer of the language, oral traditions, art and spirituality of the Twana people of the Hood Canal.

The latest in a series of films produced by IslandWood, an outdoor learning center on Bainbridge Island, Teachings of the Tree People was directed by IslandWood filmmaker, Katie Jennings and co-produced by Native education specialist, Tracy Rector.

"Our films extend the reach of IslandWood's message of environmental and community stewardship," said Executive Director Ben Klasky. "They're used by educational institutions across the country, as well as at our campus. Bruce Miller was a treasured cultural steward and teacher. We're proud to help share his story with the world."

In September of 2005, a twenty minute version of Teachings of the Tree People, created in conjunction with the Seattle Art Museum's exhibition "Song, Story Speech: Oral Traditions of Puget Sound's First People" won national recognition at National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival presented in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

DVD copies of the twenty minute film are available for viewing at a number of Puget Sound area libraries. The one hour film is distributed to the education market by New Day Films. Copies of both versions may be purchased for home viewing from IslandWood. For more information and to view a clip from the film, click here.

About The Northwest Film Forum
Now in its 9th year, NWFF's annual celebration of regional filmmaking is bigger and more diverse than ever. As usual, the festival champions some of the best new Northwest work, including narrative features, documentaries and shorts of all flavors.

About KCTS Television "About Us"
Now in its third season, "About Us" is an award-winning series showcasing independent filmmakers' works that explore topics and experiences unique to life in Washington state and British Columbia.

About The Burke Museum
The Burke is the Pacific Northwest's hub for natural history and cultural heritage. The museum is responsible for Washington State collections of natural history and cultural heritage, and for sharing the knowledge that makes them meaningful. Open daily 10am to 5pm.

About the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

About Smithsonian Natl. Museum of The American Indian Film & Video Center
NMAI's Film and Video Center presents Native film, video, radio, television and multimedia from throughout the Americas-Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and the U.S., including Native Alaska and Native Hawai'i. Since 1979 it has showcased approximately 1,200 new works, often presented by their producers, in its festivals, special series and other public programs.

About National Geographic All Roads Film Project
All Roads is a National Geographic initiative supporting films by and about indigenous groups and under-represented minority culture filmmakers.

About IslandWood
Located on Bainbridge Island, WA, IslandWood is a unique 255-acre outdoor learning center designed to provide exceptional learning experiences and inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship. Through its flagship School Overnight Program, IslandWood’s educators combine scientific inquiry, technology and the arts to help Puget Sound-area students understand cultural and biological diversity. IslandWood also offers community programs for adults, children and families; volunteer opportunities; and other community events open to the public.

Credits: Teachings of the Tree People - The Work of Bruce Miller is an IslandWood production. Producer/Director: Katie Jennings. Co-producer: Tracy Rector. Editor: Michael Gross. Photographer: Diana Wilmar. Composer: Janice Giteck. Theme melody: Bruce Miller. Musicians: Mimi Dye, viola; Rich Eckert, cello; Matt Kocmieroski, vibraphone; Sid Law, guitar and violin; Angel M. "kalasitSa" Parker, vocals; Paul Taub, alto flute; Wrick Wolff, electric bass. Funders: Paul and Debbi Brainerd, Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, Seattle Art Museum, Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund, The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, Muckleshoot Charity Fund, David and Catherine Skinner, Washington State Arts Commission, Folk Arts, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Charitable Trust Board, The Kenneth and Marleen Alhadeff Charitable Foundation, Squaxin Island Tribe.