Viewers of public television will see future shows on a Laguna Pueblo tradition, the history of the ancient game of lacrosse, alternative energy and other compelling stories by and about Native Americans with the help of Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT).

NAPT awarded more than $200,000 to documentary filmmakers in 2007 in its annual funding program for television proposals intended for public broadcasting.

NAPT Executive Director Shirley Sneve (Rosebud Sioux) said these programs will provide new perspectives from Native points of view for PBS audiences. "Each project has significant involvement from Native Americans on the creative team-more than just in an advisory capacity. We are seeing a greater level of expertise and experience in Native America in the television industry today. Training programs sponsored by NAPT and others around the country are starting to pay off."

"…NAPT is committed to sharing Native stories with the world," she added, citing the organization's new mission statement.

In an open call, NAPT received 36 proposals requesting more than $3 million in funding. NAPT allocated $260,000 to filmmakers with funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Projects funded in 2007 include: 

• GRAB - A feature documentary that explores the Grab Day culture in the villages of Laguna Pueblo, as told by one family as they prepare for the annual event. By Producer Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo).

• Native Century - Native Americans return from WWI to pursue freedom at home.  Will Rogers finds stardom, Osages strike oil, Indians meet tourism and tribes create new governments, then another generation fights for the U.S. in WWII. Funding will support scripting for episode two of the four part series. By Producers Leslie Clark, Brian Wescott (Athabascan/Yup'ik) and Roberta Grossman.

• Power Paths - An exploration of energy through the eyes of Native Americans as they reveal their quest to tap wind, solar, biomass and other power sources for their communities and cities across the country.  From the Lakota Lands across the Great Plains to the Navajo and Hopi desert lands of the Southwest, "Power Paths" shows how tribes face fierce opposition in changing the energy habits of traditional fossil fuel dependent utilities and electric cooperatives. By Producers Bo Boudart, Norman Brown (Navajo) and Chris Philipp.

• Sacred Stick - An examination of the historical, cultural and spiritual aspects of lacrosse. From the ancient Maya to the world famous Iroquois Nationals team, this half-hour documentary explores the cultural diffusion and transmutation of a uniquely indigenous sport that, like Native peoples themselves, adapted and endured within the dominant culture. By Producers Michelle Danforth (Oneida) and Patty Loew (Bad River Ojibwa).

• Waterbuster - Fifty years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers systematically dammed and flooded Indian reservations along the Upper Missouri River, severing crucial ties in Native communities. Filmmaker J. Carlos Peinado (Hidatsa/Mandan) returns to his homeland in hopes to re-establish a connection to this place where his grandmother once lived.

 In addition to the funding for television proposals, NAPT has earmarked $50,000 for an election initiative with the National Minority Consortia (NMC), a partnership of the minority public broadcast organizations that includes NAPT, the Center for Asian American Media, Latino Public Broadcasting, the National Black Programming Consortium, and Pacific Islanders in Communications. The groups have funded "The Diversity Beat: NMC 2008 Election Initiative," a project to bring election-related stories from the growing minority electorate to PBS and public radio in 2008. 

NAPT shares Native stories with the world through support of the creation, promotion and distribution of Native media. The organization is headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., and has a satellite office in Albuquerque, N.M.