Tracy Rector & Annie Silverstein

The mission of Longhouse Media is to catalyze indigenous people and communities to use media as a tool for self-expression, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship and social change.  They draw from both traditional and modern forms of artistic expression, storytelling, teaching, and inquiry.

Their primary youth program, Native Lens, has been shown to effectively support the growth and expression of Native youth through digital media making while breaking down negative stereotypes and promoting cross-cultural learning opportunities based on the traditional principles of the natural world.  When communities succeed in promoting their cultural heritage and in securing control of their collective future – in claiming ownership over their past and future – the positive effects reverberate across many measures of youth health and well-being.  Suicide rates fall, fewer children are taken into care, school completion rates rise, and rates of intentional and unintentional injury decrease.

As the health of Native people is intimately linked to their cultural identity and pride, it is imperative that programs reflecting the beauty and diversity of Native communities exist. The overarching goal is to offer media-based culturally specific programs that empower Native youth to become leaders capable of positively addressing meaningful problems in their schools, neighborhoods, and the society-at-large while gaining skills they will use throughout their lives and careers. Participants in Longhouse Media programs, such as Native Lens gain both technological and life skills rooted in environmental stewardship.

To learn more, visit their home page at www.swinomish.org/departments/native_lens/index2.html.