Somebody’s Daughter to premiere at Native American Presidential Forum in Las Vegas

“Four Directions, along with Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Global Indigenous Council to Present World Premiere of Somebody’s Daughter at the Four Directions and Nevada Tribal Nations Native American Presidential Forum 2020.”

The world premiere of Somebody’s Daughter will be at the 2020 Native American Presidential Forum at the UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada on January 15. A documentary about the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) tragedy, Somebody’s Daughter has been endorsed by civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA). On 12/29, Congressman Lewis announced that he is fighting stage IV pancreatic cancer. In late November, Congressman Lewis committed to advancing legislation to address the MMIW crisis and offered his full support to the documentary and ongoing efforts by the Global Indigenous Council, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association to raise national awareness and impact the tragedy. ​ “A very powerful and important film for the world to see – equal parts beauty and tragedy, it reveals the horrific truths that are sure to ignite change,” is how award-winning indigenous actress and director Georgina Lightning describes Somebody’s Daughter. Lightning’s comment not only honors the intent of Congressman Lewis, to “ignite change,” but reflects pre-release industry reaction to the documentary. Georgina Lightning was the first woman to receive the White House Project - Emerging Artist Award, and with Older Than America she became the first North American Indigenous Woman to direct a major feature film that, to date, has garnered 23 awards.

Somebody’s Daughter focuses on some of the higher-profile MMIW cases, most of which were raised during the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs MMIW/MMIP hearing in December 2018. With historical points of reference, the victims’ and their families’ stories are told through the lens of the legal jurisdictional maze and socio-economic bondage that constricts Indian Country. For the first time on film, tribal leaders reveal the devastating roles of drug cartels and gangs in the MMIW crisis. ​ An indigenous production, Somebody’s Daughter was executively produced by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and supported by the Blackfeet Nation and Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes in association with the Global Indigenous Council. Somebody’s Daughter is presented by Alter-Native Media and directed by Rain, the team that created Not In Our Name, a short film that featured House Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, and became the most-watched film on Sierra Club’s social media platforms. Not In Our Name had the distinction of being entered into the Congressional record at a hearing in May 2019. Grijalva provided valuable background and insights during the production of the film.

Somebody’s Daughter features appearances by several 2020 presidential candidates, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Secretary Julián Castro and Marianne Williamson. Among the interviewees in the film are Vice President Biden’s campaign vice chair, Ambassador Catherine M. Russell, who served as US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. Several of Indian Country’s most prominent presidents, chairpersons and tribal council members provide candid insights into the MMIW tragedy. Somebody’s Daughter is narrated by prominent indigenous actor Julian Black Antelope, best-known for his roles in Into The West, Blackstone, Hell on Wheels and Showtime’s Penny Dreadful.

In recent weeks, 2020 presidential candidates have written to the film’s producers, the Global Indigenous Council, to express their support for the organization’s work on the MMIW crisis. “All of the progress we’ve made on this issue is because of you. You’ve demanded attention. You’ve fought for changes to the law, and you continue to fight for the authority to ensure justice and fairness for everyone in your nations. I am grateful for and inspired by your courage, and I look forward to continuing work on this vitally important issue,” wrote Democratic frontrunner, Vice President Joe Biden.

“A very powerful and important film for the world to see – equal parts beauty and tragedy, it reveals the horrific truths that are sure to ignite change,” is how award-winning indigenous actress and director Georgina Lightning describes Somebody’s Daughter. Lightning’s comment not only honors the intent of Congressman Lewis, to “ignite change,” but reflects pre-release industry reaction to the documentary. Georgina Lightning was the first woman to receive the White House Project - Emerging Artist Award, and with Older Than America she became the first North American Indigenous Woman to direct a major feature film that, to date, has garnered 23 awards.

Georgina Lightening

Julian Black Antelope