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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nicole Koschmann, MFA¹, Bradley Rappa, MFA², Norma Gray, PhD², Denise Wolf, MPH², Mary Mays, PhD², and Jan Jirsak, MS². (1) Media Arts, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245163, Tucson, AZ 85724-5163, 520-626-5375, koschman@email.arizona.edu, (2) Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245163, Tucson, AZ 85724-5163

In this weekend and summer project, youth explore and express aspects of their culture through making short exposes or mini-documentaries on their communities. These videos give the participants an opportunity to portray their families, their town, their homes and their friends in a way that allows them to take their own lives seriously. Many of the videos attempt to dispense myths about Indian culture, “the ghetto” or poverty. Other videos openly address and critique the problems that do exist. At times, the process of making the videos facilitates discussion on issues of culture and identity among the youth themselves. Examples include “naming” themselves for others. For example clarifying tribal affiliation or asserting one's cultural and national identity. Youth have also unknowingly addressed the complicated issue of representation by openly discussing what a “drug dealer” looks like, or what an “Indian” should be wearing in the video. As youth face these issues directly and in the reality of their lives through their productions, they understand and appreciate their culture and history more fully. This presentation will facilitate discussion regarding how these issues relate to American Indian youth development and how media production can be a positive process that enhances health. Youth videos will be shown.

Learning Objectives: