This is the fifteenth show in our series on the importance of voting with the great wisdom keeper, Yvonne Russo.
Why is it important to vote?
Does our vote even matter?
What is democracy?
THESE SEGMENTS ARE MUCH SHORTER THAN OUR USUAL PROGRAMS… SO THEY ARE EASILY CONSUMED!
Yvonne Russo, an award-winning producer, director and writer of film, television and digital, most recently serving as Producer on KELLY’S BAR an indie drama about a Mi’kmaq Indian man and an Irish-American woman who fall in love in an impoverished and racially divided 1980’s South Boston. She’s producing with Casey Affleck, Sea Change Media. As well as producing, THE EARTH ABOVE, starring Melissa Leo about a group of underground activists set out to expose North America’s largest contaminated water mine.
She recently worked as a Production Advisor on WOMAN WALKS AHEAD, a period epic feature film circa 1889, which follows widow Catherine Weldon (Jessica Chastain) leaves behind her unsatisfying life in New York City to pursue her dream to be a painter, and bravely travels alone to the Dakota Territory, with the goal of painting the infamous Lakota Chief, Sitting Bull. The film was written by Academy Award -nominated Steven Knight, produced by The Bedford Falls Company and Black Bicycle Entertainment.
Russo has recently entered a television development deal with Handmade Films to adapt the 1989 cult classic film POWWOW HIGHWAY based on a novel by David Seals.
I applaud you for interviewing such an inspiring woman offering points we don’t usually get to hear. Information changes everything. More of that!
Go Yvonne! Inspiring indeed. She’s an amazing advocate for Lakota and all Native Americans. She even helped start New York City’s first Lakota Language Facebook Group and ongoing language workshop!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/207765666631863/
I agree there’s a need to understand “conquest” in manner spoken of by Yvonne re. Doctrine of Discovery. Inhumane, anti-Christian action initiated by Papal Bulls did take place – no question. Men – including popes – are fallible. I’d argue Spanish kings (certainly at least one in the 1400’s) abused use of Papal authority and certainly acted, again, anti-Christian (treatment of indigenous people, etc.). However, it’s clear to me – a devout Catholic – that Yvonne doesn’t understand who Jesus in fact is and that He’s not to be equated with Ghandi, etc. (Just as many who speak of Lakota leaders or Lakota spiritual practices and really have not clue what they’re talking about). I understand Yvonne’s responding with what she knows and talking about peace when talking about Jesus – and I’m not defending past wrongdoing re. the Doctrine, etc. – but one shouldn’t put stock in her diminishing Christ. No disrespect here – Yvonne’s clearly stating ‘what she thinks/believes’ — I’d just caution experience & perhaps expertise in one area doesn’t mean one can be totally off in another area. Thank you –