TULSA – Mvskoke citizens had a chance to make Valentine’s Day cards, meet an indie filmmaker, and help raise money for a grassroots film project that shines a light on the plight of caregivers in an event held at the Four Mothers Collective in Tulsa on Feb. 7.
The film, which will be made by Julie Little Thunder (Southern Cheyenne), is titled “The Self She is Now.” The film tells the story of Kendra Keahbone, an Indigenous writer who decides to take care of her mother, Evelyn, who has dementia. She finds herself over her head and asks her sister, Liz, for help. Keahbone learns more about herself and her family throughout the film, becoming a better person in the process.
Attendees could bid on art by Indigenous artists, enter a raffle to win artwork inspired by The Wizard of Oz, eat food, and make Valentine’s Day cards.
Artists included Carly Treece (Mvskoke, Cherokee), Robert Taylor (Blackfoot, Cherokee, Osage, Black Dutch), Lauren Kelly (Citizen Potawatomi), Dan Rocky (Mvskoke, Cherokee), Travis Mammedaty (Kiowa), and Natalie Miller (Chickasaw), among others who donated pieces of art for the fundraiser.
Treece, the President and Creative Director of the collective, felt honored to host the event in their space.
“It’s been very successful, and I’m glad to help raise funds for Julie Little Thunder and her film. I’m very honored for her to have it in this space and hold it here for her. I hope she makes the money to help produce the film, and I’m excited to see it once it’s finished,” Treece said.
Little Thunder, who attended the fundraising event, was thankful to Treece and the other members of the Four Mothers Collective for making the event happen.
“I was happy with the turnout, and I can’t thank Carly Treece and Four Mothers Collective enough for providing us with such a welcoming space. This was only the launch of our fundraising event, and I feel confident we will be able to raise more money with our raffle and art auction over the coming weeks,” Little Thunder said.
Little Thunder encouraged anyone who wants to help with the project or participate in the raffle to visit https://www.facebook.com/selfsheisnow/ and register online. The drawing for prizes will be shown live at the end of the month.
Those who wish to donate directly can do so at https://tinyurl.com/theselfsheisnow
