Yellowbird Productions
The 211-mph CTR Anniversary traces its roots back to the original Yellowbird, Ruf’s first performance car. Its engine bay is filled with bespoke pieces that highlight the car’s roots and heritage.
London-based Yellow Bird UK was set up in 2017 as the British sister to Stockholm-based “Wallander” producers and tasked with securing global-facing commissions with a Scandi edge. Its main productions include Young Wallander and the Netflix series The Playlist.
Native American Storytelling
The Native American community has a history of vibrant storytelling traditions. These stories serve as a way to share the ideals and beliefs of their people while teaching others about the unique culture.
Each tribe had its own creation myths that explained the appearance of their world and how their ancestors came to be. These stories also teach how to respect the environment and its creatures. For example, stories about ahuaques, hostile water dwelling spirits that guard bodies of water, contain morals about valuing the environment and protecting it.
Other stories tell about hunting routes, bird migrations and family lineage. They also cover topics like child rearing, love and friendship. They can even contain stories about sexuality, since sex was not considered taboo amongst Native Americans 150 years ago. Many of these stories are told in a circle so that everyone can hear and participate. These stories are meant to create a sense of belonging for the listeners.
Native American Dancers
This internationally renowned professional family dance company, under the direction of Ken Duncan of the San Carlos Apache tribe, specializes in cultural presentations that entertain and educate audiances of all ages. They are acclaimed performers and hold many national dance championship honors.
Despite its purely ceremonial roots, Native American dance has become a modern art form. Its practitioners often incorporate hip hop into their routines, creating a unique urban and contemporary style. This is a reflection of the generational shift in Native American culture, as younger dancers are increasingly active on social media and seek to reconnect with their heritage through their creative expression.
Deadline has reported that Yellow Bird, the Swedish production company behind Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy and Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters, is expanding into English-language scripted content. It has launched a UK division with seasoned producer Marianne Gray overseeing development and acquisitions. The company also recently opened its L.A. office and added a London office under Berna Levin.
Native American Speakers
The company first established itself on the international stage with a series of television films based on Swedish author Henning Mankell’s acclaimed fictional detective, Kurt Wallander. Since then, Yellow Bird has gone on to produce other successful international films and TV series including Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy and Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters.
It also has a long history of helping revive indigenous languages, including providing the technology to allow the Winnemem Wintu to compile the first video and audio recordings of their language in over 200 years. It is also working with the Mashpee Wampanoag to bring back the Unkechaug and Shinnecock, two lost languages of Long Island.
Walter Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) is a highly articulate and experienced Native American rights activist who has worked to protect the legal, political, property, cultural, and human rights of Indian tribes and Native people. He speaks on a variety of indigenous topics ranging from tribal arts and culture, indigenous history, federal Indian law, land back movement, state recognition of tribes, and spirituality.
Native American Music
A once-bleak cultural situation has now blossomed into a powerful source of inspiration. North America’s indigenous peoples now celebrate their heritage in a full range of artistic expressions. Music is an essential part of this celebration.
Navajo rock duo Jeneda and Clayson Benally play music inspired by punk and folk with a heavy dose of Navajo rhythm and hope. Their spare set up includes bass and drums.
Some Native Americans view songs as property and have developed formal systems of musical ownership, inheritance, and performance rights. For instance, if a shaman receives a song in a dream, it becomes his or her own, but upon the shaman’s death, the song enters the community’s collective repertory.
Many Native American musicians use their art to advocate for their communities. Joanne Shenandoah, a singer and educator, has used her immense fame to raise money for educational centers and other causes that benefit the Indigenous community. She has received acclaim for her deep, powerful voice and unparalleled commitment to the community.