September 6, 2016
What Was Ours, a documentary that uncovers the story of three Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation residents and countless cultural artifacts, will play for Wyoming audiences this month.
The film follows three residents of Wind River Country/Fremont County as they, “navigate the world of tribal identity, museums, and reclaiming [their] sacred items,” said Arapaho journalist Jordan Dresser, of Fort Washakie, who co-produced the film.
Over several years, the producer followed Dresser, Shoshone elder Philberg McLeod and powwow princess Mikala Sun Rhodes as they pursued the stories of artifacts that have been removed from the Reservation, returned to it, and even learned to create new ones to sustain tradition.
What Was Ours’ Wyoming premiere will be at the Peck Theater of Central Wyoming College in Riverton Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and the Grand Theater in Lander Saturday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m.
Both screenings are free and open to the public, making this a notable opportunity to view an award-winning documentary about local matters and discuss them with Dresser, producer/director Mat Hames, and executive producer Beth Hames.
What Was Ours played in the Vision Maker Film Festival in Nebraska and premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Mont., then played at the USF Human Rights Film Festival in San Francisco and the Thessaloniki Doc Market in Greece in March. Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian selected the film to screen at its film festival in August. Learn more about What Was Ours and the recognition it has already garnered at whatwasoursfilm.com.
*Don’t forget to use the hashtag #windrivercountry when you share your Wind River Country memories on social media.
Related Links: Lander Chamber of Commerce, Riverton Chamber of Commerce, Dubois Chamber of Commerce, Destination Dubois
For a complete calendar of events go to www.windriver.org/calendar. To request a vacation packet, please visit us at Wind River Country or call 800-645-6233. Pioneer your own adventure in Wind River Country!
About Wind River Country/Fremont County
Wyoming’s Wind River Country is the authentic, untamed West. It holds the answers to your adventurous spirit. Come discover new things like the best route to Yellowstone, see an Indian powwow, ride a horse or holler at a rodeo, pan for real gold, and hike in country that will take your breath away. Find the room to breathe, slow your pace a bit, and discover uncontrived adventure that will rejuvenate your soul in Wind River Country.
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