Red Bird Saves the Corn
Traditional Navajo Spider Woman story retold through Lightbox Animation by STAR School students: Larissa Luther, Taylor Long, and Makyla Allison. Story learned through the Voices Native Literature program: “Zinnia: How the Corn was Saved” by Patricia Hruby Powell. Demonstration of integration of Native Literature, Literacy, and Place-Based Media Arts, produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso, Youth Mentors Camille Manybeads Tso and Kira Butler. Winner 2nd place in the Middle School Animation category of the 2014 "My Hero International Film Festival" -- and an official selection of "The Red Nation Film Festival" (in Los Angeles); the "The American Indian film Festival" in San Francisco; and "The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival" -- and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona "Navajo Show"; and the NAU "Native American and Indigenous Film Series". This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This Film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
STAR School Kindergarten class visits their teacher’s cornfield to learn how to make Nitsidigo’i’, Kneel Down Bread, a traditional Dine’ Heritage Food. Filmmaking by 7th / 8th grade students, Kira Butler, Joshua Gregg, and Keanu Jones under the direction of Rachel Tso integrating Place-Based Education with Media Literacy. Music by Radmilla Cody. This film is an official selection of: AZ Student Film Festival – Winner of Grand Prize Grades 6 – 8 and 1st place Grades 6-8 Microshort. The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA; Cine Las Americas, Austin, TX; The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival; and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
STAR School 8th grader William John explores the traditional meaning and reasons for the Ta’Chéé (sweatlodge) ceremony. An Example of Place-Based Media Arts, Directed by William John, Assistant Director Tevin Todacheenie, Mentored by Camille Manybeads Tso and Keanu Jones, and was produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso. This film is an official selection of: The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA;The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival;and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show. This Video was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
Aerial tour of STAR School by STAR School 7th and 8th grade students Madison and Joshua flying a quadcopter, with a "go pro" -- with help from NAU Communications students Graham, Beth, Allen and Saylor.