Vision Maker Media’s (VMM) (visionmakermedia.org) mission is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories while envisioning a world changed and healed by understanding Native stories and the public conversations they generate. VMM educational programs include the Native American Film Series and iNative Shorts for Kids, which spark dialogue and deepen awareness of Native life and culture.
On August 11, the Native American Film Series at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center features Navajo Math Circles. The documentary illustrates the power of the theme for August: Leaders of Tomorrow, telling the story of some of the country’s most accomplished mathematicians and math educators who collaborate and connect with the children and teachers in the underserved, largely rural Navajo educational system. Utilizing math as a universal language, the film inspires cross-cultural understanding. The educators use an approach called “math circles,” emphasizing student-centered learning by putting children in charge of exploring mathematics to solve problems.
For free tickets, visit theross.org.
VMM’s iNative Shorts for Kids is a series on VMM’s YouTube channel, featuring short, curated videos from VMM’s extensive film archive, also focusing on the theme, Leaders of Tomorrow. Frankie the Hawk is the host and brings Indigenous knowledge directly to learners ages 6-12. Each video during August introduces young viewers to Native communities where Native youth mathematicians and civic leaders are making a difference in their lives and the lives of others.
Explore the series at https://www.youtube.com/@iNativeShortsforKids. For more information, visit visionmakermedia.org.