Riders foundation, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. We are also seeking support for the Lakota Youth eduation program listed on the Spirit Riders Foundation Board of Directors page.
February 10, 2009
James Kleinert
President
Spirit Riders Foundation
Dear James:
We at Zintkala Luzahan Productions are so excited in regards to our collaboration with the Spirit Riders Foundation.
We feel that your organization has much to offer our new production company in the way of advice, guidance and your thoughtful donation of recording and computer equipment. Thank you again for helping our fledgling company get started.
We appreciate your shared commitment to Lakota language preservation through educating Lakota youth. We feel confident that through the Lakolia Wacinkiksuya DVD and book series, Zintkala Luzahan will be able to assist in the revitalization of the Lakota language.
The Apple G-4 laptop computer with video editing software, video monitor and PD-100 video camera with accessories you contributed are essential to our endeavor. Without your generous contributions to this venture, there is no telling how long it would have taken to collect the necessary components to jump start production.
I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot from us during the next few months as your insight and experience have proven invaluable.
Also, congratulations on your success with Saving the American Wild Horse.
Thank you again for your generous donation,
Karen Ducheneaux
Producer/Director
Zintkala Luzahan Productions
HCR 3Box 121-F
Gettysburg, SD 57442
Saving the American Wild Horse, a poignant documentary hosted by Viggo Mortensen, Sheryl Crow, Peter Coyote, and directed by Emmy Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, James Kleinert, examines the politics behind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) controversial policies regarding wild horses on public lands and questions the fate of America’s Wild Horses and Burros, whose very existence is in jeopardy.
“We’re pleased with the opportunity to bring James Kleinert’s compelling work on the state of our diminishing wild horse population to a primetime television audience for the first time,” says Tom Neff, founder and CEO, Documentary Channel. “With the help of several talented entertainment stars, Kleinert’s film is a remarkable effort to bring this issue to the forefront of the American consciousness, and we believe our viewers will be astounded by his dramatic footage.”
Travel with Emmy award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, James Kleinert, as he joins with wild horse advocates to peacefully work in remote landscapes to help preserve these creatures existence.
Saving the American Wild Horse tells the dramatic story of the horse as it disappears from the North American continent ten thousand years ago, only to be reintroduced by Europeans in the 1500’s. The film captures for it’s viewers the role the horse has played in both Native American and Euro-American culture over the last four hundred years. Nothing will strike the audience’s hearts as clearly as the profound relationship humans and horses share in the shaping of the United States. This relationship is unique to the attributes of the wild horse, and is worth preserving for many generations to come.
We are distributing Saving The American Wild Horse as an educational tool to gather support forAmerica's wild horses and burros. We are currently editing the feature wild horse film titled "Disappointment Valley. . . A Modern Day Western." This film will further explore the plight of America's Wild Horses and Burro's and will give solutions and education to the public on what can be done to help preserve these amazing wild animals and symbols of American Freedom. We are seeking tax deductible donations to help with the production costs of both Saving the American Horse and Disappointment Valley.
Please visit the official Saving the American Wild Horse website for more information.
In November of 2007, Saving The American Wild Horse was shown in the LBJ Room of the Senate on Sept. 26 to a full house of Congresspersons and their staffers. We invited the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to co-host the event that we organized, and they joined us. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stopped in at the screening and has personally requested a copy of the film. HSUS continues to work on Capitol Hill responding to the positive responses we received and connecting with prospective co-sponsors for related legislation.
Kleinert presents Saving the American Wild Horse on Capitol Hill:
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Spirit Riders is an international award winning documentary film about the birth of an American Indian peace movement, begun in 1990 by the Lakota Nation and its growth over the subsequent years.
From the stunning images of wilderness landscapes to the
dramatic footage of peace and unity horseback rides, this film is a
visual delight. With narration by Peter Coyote,
interviews with ride-participant Viggo
Mortensen (Lord Of The Rings & Hidalgo) and an eclectic
soundtrack featuring American Indian Grammy winner Bill Miller, Robert
Mirabal, Keith Secola, Rick Allen, Lauren Monroe. Spirit Riders not only
entertains, but leads the audience on a profound journey inside a
culture and a movement offering ancient traditional visions of peace to
a troubled modern world.
Many respected members of the Lakota community, including descendents
of Sitting Bull and Black Elk are featured in the film, both as
participants in the rides and as social/cultural commentators.
Charlotte Black Elk, Alex Whiteplume, Birgil Killstraight, Ron His
Horse Is Thunder, Russell Means and Mel Lonehill all make appearances
in the film.
Ron His Horse is Thunder escorting Lakota Youth into Wounded Knee.
December 28th 2000
Ron is a descendent of Sitting Bull and president of Sitting Bull
Tribal College
The film introduces us to the Lakota Indian tradition of ceremonial horseback rides and how in the last fifteen years these rides have become a source of inspiration for the Lakota people and a medium for a worldwide message of peace. We explore the annual Peace And Unity rides which each year are conducted to a different sacred site on the summer solstice. On that day, June 21st, a ceremony is held for peace among all people of the world and harmony with the environment. The film shows how this vision is coming to pass as the movement, which started as a purely local event, has since led to annual ceremonies not only in Central America but as far away as Ireland, Australia and South Africa.
Spirit Riders is nearing its final edit, and we plan to announce its release in September of 2008.
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If you'd like to follow the
progress of Spirit Riders, the movie and the movement
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Spirit Riders explores how the roots of the World Peace movement lie in the suffering and recovery of the Lakota. Through rides and ceremonies, Lakota people have found ways to let go of the grief and despair which persisted for over a hundred years following the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee and envision a new and hopeful future. This is the invaluable journey which the Lakota people have to offer not only their own people but all the peoples of the world. |
Other Films in the Trilogy
Peta Yuha Mani - He Who Keeps The Fire
The Viggo Mortensen Interview
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This film is an in depth interview conducted by documentary film maker James Kleinert. The film explores Mr. Mortenson's heart felt thoughts and reflections of his experience in Lakota country during the filming of Hidalgo and his participation in the 2003 Big Foot Peace Ride to Wounded Knee. Mr. Mortenson opens himself up, revealing his view of the media, government policy and just being with the Lakota people. |
The Ride To Little Big Horn
Join the Lakota Future Generation Riders as they follow the path Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and other great warriors took on their way to the Greasy Grass. On June 25th, 128 years to the date, the riders charge the Little Big Horn where General Custer made a fatal last stand. Lakota elders like Mel Lonehill share their ancient knowledge of this historic event and re-enact the actual event from a Lakota perspective.
All profits from the film Spirit Riders will go towards Lakota Youth Educational Programs.
Lakota 7th Generation Youth Riders make
there way through a blinding blizzard
following the route Chief Big Foot Made 113 years earlier in similar
weather conditions
The
Spirit Riders Trilogy is produced and directed by James Kleinert.
You can contact James by email.
For more information on James' work and for stock footage,
please visit movingcloud.com or email James.
© 2005-2008 Spirit Riders Foundation Inc.
* Spirit Riders Foundation Inc. has applied for
501(c)(3) non-profit status pending approval from the IRS