Posted on 07/19/2011 12:33:07 PM PDT by Pharmboy
ONEIDA – The Oneida Indian Nation is fully financing a $10 million theatrical film about the alliance between the Oneidas and the American colonists during the Revolutionary War.
According to the New York Times, the independent production “First Allies” is expected to begin shooting in Central New York this fall.
Ray Halbritter, Nation representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises, told the Times that he is looking for an avenue more effective than traditional storytelling to close what he sees as the gap between the Nation’s fewer than 1,000 members and a world with which it has had property disputes and other run-ins in the past.
The film is based on the book, “Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution” by Joseph T. Glatthaar and James Kirby Martin. The book relates the history of Oneida Chief Han Yerry and the Oneida people working alongside American colonists, especially during the battle of Oriskany.
Halbritter will produce along with Hollywood producers Alex Sisken and Sid Ganis, former president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences.
Emmy-nominated director Kees Van Oostrum will oversee the filming of the project.
“In the past, we used American Indian runners to spread important messages,” Halbritter told Variety. “But in today’s world, film is the most powerful messaging medium of our mainstream culture. ‘First Allies’ provides the perfect opportunity to relay the story of the Oneida Indian Nation to audiences worldwide while also telling one of the lesser-known and most riveting stories about the founding of the United States of America.”
The Nation has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon to discuss the project with area media representatives.
The Oneida Nation has turned to film before to convey its history and culture.
The 11-minute computer animated short, “Raccoon & Crawfish,” is based on a centuries-old Oneida legend focusing on the moral that lying is wrong and has consequences. The 2007 film is the product of the Oneida Nation’s Four Directions Productions.
The DVD of the short film and an accompanying book are currently on sale at Oneida Sky in Turning Stone Resort Casino, all 12 SavOn convenience stores and at the OIN Shako:wi Cultural Center.
Chief Oskanondohna and an Oneida woman named Polly Cooper and, of course, General Washington.
"During the Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington asserted that “[t]he Oneidas have manifested the strongest attachment to us throughout the dispute."
That's good enough for me.
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list...
Another reason why their PC status makes no sense...
White guys living in trailer courts and log cabins run us a close second.
Even when they're filing lawsuits against the county and state?
At risk of sounding like a Wannabe, I have always respected the First People* of this land. Whenever I have gone to a Pow-Wow I am always deeply moved by the Presentation of Colors that open the ceremonies, proudly enacted by U.S. military veterans of tribal ancestry, true warriors all.
They are just going to use profits from this movie to try to steal land from white people in upstate New York.
Onneioutronnon PING!
The Oneida had decided long before to join Western civilization and had allowed European people (mostly American settlers) to come into their lands and farm, create industry, manufacture rifles, etc.
To be a proper Wannabe, your love for American Indian culture has to primarily stem from a hatred of your own. ;-)
Heck, I’m full-blooded Italian, and I love this stuff too. It’s part of our shared heritage as Americans.
They just kicked them out.
Then New York brought in what were essentially illegal aliens to take over the farms.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Oneida can elect to recover their land provided they pay for it.
I am very happy the Oneida are getting back that land.
Some of the "white" ancestors Obama and I share lived in what is now St. Lawrence County New York ~ but before the American Revolution when it was part of Oneida.
The Oneida had offered to sell that property to the Brits but the sale got delayed by war.
Guess that means Obama and I (and an awful lot of our relatives) could probably move back "up home" eh!
I am concerned with this head count of only 1,000 members. Without a lot of trouble I could double the tribe!
Of course it makes sense. The PC crowd will side against America any chance it gets!
Good project. It sounds like a movie I would like to see. Not a lot of those these days.
Ol Two Kettles Together ~ always wondered if that had to do with her stature or her cooking pots ~ the guys who accompanied her to Sacketts Harbor did so at the exact same time as my ancestors ~ but the big difference was the names ~ you can’t pronounce ours in Iroquois.
Thanks, interesting.
Thanks for adding personal insights to this thread.
Please see post # 12.
Poor suckers.
If they’ve got ten million dollars to spend, how about sending 100 Oneida tribe members to Ivy League schools at a 100 g’s each? Because they have virtually no chance of seeing a return on this movie. Ever. That’s the movie business.
I decide to build a ten million dollar car dealership, even though I can’t change a fan belt. I’ve never worked at a body shop or a dealership or even a car wash. But I like cars! I drive one, don’t I?!
You know who’s going to make money off this? Sid Ganis.
Thanks for this...I was unaware.
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