Bringing the Circle Together was an influential free film series in downtown Los Angeles, by and about Native Americans.[1] The series was held monthly from 2008 to 2012 and was a central gathering place for Indigenous peoples and their supporters to discuss issues, and share historical narratives, art, and traditions.
Bringing the Circle Together was directed by Lorin Morgan-Richards[2][3] with integral guidance from Tahesha Knapp-Christensen, Pamela J. Peters,[4] and Koji Steven Sakai. Richards also partnered and cohosted with several other community organizers including Azalea Ryckman, Votan, Corine Fairbanks, Ana Castillo[5] and Valena Broussard Dismukes to name a few.
Screenings and guests
2008
May 15: The Buffalo War with musical guest the Removal Act (Janel Munoa)
April 16: Killer's Paradise, short Soleil with filmmakers Jessica McMunn and Emmanuel Macias, guest artist Ana Castillo and speaker Diana Flores
May 7: Walk Like a Warrior: The Apache Skateboard Story with filmmakers Douglas Miles and Franck Boistel and poet Mark Gonzalez
June 18: Quest of the Carib Canoe with guest artist Kantuta and Garifuna speaker Cheryl Noralez[8]
July 16: When Your Hands are Tied with guest The Prophecy
August 20: In Search of History: Navajo Code Talkers with guest poet Karina Dominguez, speaker Blase Bonpane and speaker Zonnie Gorman.
October 15: Looking Toward Home with guest Timo and the White Buffalo
November 19: Trespassing with filmmakers Susana Lagudis and Carlos DeMenezes
December 17: Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier with guest speakers Ben Carnes, Anne Begay, Kathy Peltier and Gray Wolf
2010
January 14: The Ghost Riders with filmmaker V. Blackhawk Aamodt and artist Annette Phoenix, and actor Saginaw Grant
February 25: Lost Nation: The Ioway with filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle.[9][10] This event marked a historic meeting between the Tongva and Southern Ioway and Northern Ioway. Tongva delegates included Tribal Chairman Anthony Morales, Andy Morales, and Gloria Arellanes. Southern Ioway in attendance included Tribal Elder Joyce Big Soldier Miller, 2010 Ioway Tribal Princess Shayla Scott Miller, Tribal Pow Wow Chairman Bob Murray, Jr., Bear Murray, Tribal members: Jimmy Rowe, Marlina Rowe, Celina Rowe, Jimena Rowe, Viento Rowe, Richard Ornelas, Brittney Rowe, Ilisewa Rowe, Wasoce Rowe, Jeriah Rowe and Richard Ornelas. Northern Ioway in attendance included Annie Barada Assefa, Sarita McGowan, Tommy McGowan, Johnny McGowan, Christa McGowan, Sarah Barada James, Naoni Padilla, Michele McCord (award-winning songwriter for country music stars).
March 18: Juchitan Queer Paradise, short Two-Spirit People in the Modern World with guest speakers Michelle Enfield, Elton Naswood, and Bamby Salcedo. Event was cosponsored by AIDS Project LA and Red Circle Project
April 22: Broken Rainbow with filmmaker Victoria Mudd and speaker Paul Apodaca
May 29: Asian Pacific Islander-Native American Heritage Festival: Crossing the Rainbow Bridge: Our Story with filmmaker Kat High and guests including Kawalea Polynesian Dance Group
September 18: Ixoq hosted by Azalea Ryckman, musical guests Princesas del Mundo Maya, and filmmakers Felipe Perez and IxchelMultimedia
November 11: Two Spirits in partnership with Red Circle Project in collaboration with Aids Project LA
November 19: A Good Day to Die, in partnership with LA Skins Fest
2012
January 25: For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska with guest artist Elizabeth Zangenberg
February 22: American Red and Black: Stories of Afro-Native Identity, short Picking Tribes with filmmaker S. Pearl Sharp. Guests Valena Broussard Dismukes, Karen Chappelle, Billie Frierson, Richard Procello and Dr. Horace Williams
March 21: From the Badlands to Alcatraz, hosted by Pamela J. Peters
May 12: Act of War: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation
Bringing the Circle Together Magazine
In 2015, Richards published a free journal entitled Bringing the Circle Together Magazine featuring interviews with contemporary Native American leaders Joanne Shenandoah, Greg Grey Cloud, and L. Frank.
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