How Lakota Culture and Collaboration Shaped Oyate Woyaka: Bryant High Horse and George McAuliffe
Bryant High Horse and George McAuliffe, co-directors of the documentary Oyate Woyaka (The People Speak), deliver collectively a long time of expertise and various views to create a movie that amplifies Indigenous voices and fosters cross-cultural understanding. High Horse, a Lakota tradition bearer, veteran, and educator, and McAuliffe, a author, performer, and advocate for range, share a deep dedication to storytelling as a software for therapeutic and connection.
“I was lucky to be born with the Lakota language and to have many relatives who instilled a more positive way of viewing the world.”
Born into the wealthy traditions of Lakota tradition, Bryant High Horse attributes a lot of his power and imaginative and prescient to his upbringing. “Growing up with my Lakota language, I experienced negativity outside my Tiospaya,” he shares. However, his cultural basis introduced therapeutic, permitting him to pursue a grasp’s diploma and dedicate over 30 years to educating the Lakota language and tradition. For High Horse, language is greater than communication; it’s a supply of humor, remedy, and empowerment.
“The language gave me the energy to move forward in a positive way and begin speaking my language openly in public again.”
Overcoming Racism Through Storytelling
High Horse emphasizes the transformative energy of understanding different cultures. He hopes Oyate Woyaka will assist bridge divides by sharing genuine Lakota tales.
“By telling our stories and experiences as a tribe and as a person, we can reveal the truth about what we had to deal with as a people, how we dealt with it, and how we overcame it.”
High Horse additionally highlights the significance of reconnecting with one’s roots to fight racism and internalized negativity:
“When people lose their language and culture, they start to have animosity, hatred, gossip, and jealousy. Without this deep cultural identity, a person needs status and money to identify themselves.”
This philosophy underpins the documentary’s message, encouraging viewers of all backgrounds to discover their very own languages and cultures for larger compassion and understanding.
Connection to Crazy Horse and Beyond
While High Horse acknowledges his familial connection to Crazy Horse, he emphasizes the broader legacy of Lakota ancestors:
“We come from warriors but also philosophers, educators, artists, astrologers, and spiritual leaders. Each of us carries knowledge passed down from different chiefs and relatives.”
This inclusive perspective ensures that Oyate Woyaka honors not simply well-known figures however the collective knowledge of the Lakota individuals. Women’s voices, typically neglected in historic narratives, are additionally given prominence, reflecting their essential function as decision-makers in Lakota tradition.
McAuliffe’s Role: Listening and Collaborating
George McAuliffe’s journey to co-directing Oyate Woyaka was formed by his background in improv, movie, and variety advocacy. For McAuliffe, listening was paramount:
“To enter a culture with such educated and wise people as a white man who has benefited from policies that oppressed them, it was essential to listen without judgment and lead with respect and compassion.”
Drawing on his expertise in ensemble work, McAuliffe embraced collaboration. He labored carefully with High Horse and Lakota elders, adapting his artistic course of to honor the movie’s cultural significance.
“Sometimes the best thing I could do as a director was to leave the room so people were more comfortable.”
Challenges and Opportunities
Transitioning from comedy and narrative tasks to culturally vital documentaries introduced distinctive challenges. McAuliffe displays:
“Every step had challenges, but they pale in comparison to what the Lakota people have overcome. With teamwork, courage, spirituality, humor, and creativity, we overcame them all.”
This collaboration was additionally deeply private for McAuliffe, who credit High Horse and Lakota elders for elevating his craft and perspective. The course of was life-changing, forging lasting relationships and provoking new tasks.
The Vision for Oyate Woyaka
Oyate Woyaka isn’t just a movie however a name to motion. It encourages audiences to reconnect with their very own languages and cultures, fostering a world rooted in compassion, information, and respect. High Horse concludes:
“If all cultures and languages are strengthened, compassion, knowledge, and respect will increase. This will lead to a peaceful world.”
The movie additionally serves as a testomony to the resilience and positivity of Lakota tradition, difficult stereotypes and providing a religious, humorous, and philosophical perspective typically lacking in mainstream narratives.
Follow on Instagram: @oyatewoyakaEverything you’ll want to know: Vision Maker Media
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