Three events will celebrate Navajo culture this November. Moab Valley Multicultural Center is collaborating with the Grand County Library and the Native American Club to bring a film, a concert, and Miss Navajo to Moab.

The award winning film Miss Navajo, that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, will screen at the library November 12 at 7pm followed by a discussion. For most of us, pageants conjure up smiling beauty-queen hopefuls parading around in bathing suits or glittery gowns. But most of us have never witnessed the Miss Navajo Nation competition. This unique competition redefines “pageant” as an opportunity for young women to honor and strengthen Navajo culture.

The one hour film shares the experience of one contestant through the competition, juxtaposed with inspiring stories of earlier winners-some now elderly- who speak both of the hardships of being forcibly assimilated into mainstream American and the amazing resiliency of Navajo culture and their role in sustaining it. “A funny, moving... [an] inspiring film”, comments director Michael Moore. Thanks to the Utah Humanities Council this event is free to the public.

Next, The Blissens, a Native American punk rock band, will perform November 14, 6-9pm at the MARC. Middle school and high school students from the Native American Club are organizing the event, with part sponsorship from the George and Dolores Eccles Foundation.

On November 16, Tashina Nelson, the 2009-2010 Miss Navajo will come to Moab. She will present a short history of the Navajo people, discuss what makes the Navajo culture unique and how it has influenced our broader culture. Then the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions in English or Navajo. She will speak at 7pm at the Grand County Library. The following day she will present in all five schools. Her trip to Moab is in part sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Moab Valley Multicultural Center presents

Nov 12 Award Winning Film Miss Navajo
Nov 14 The Blissens, Native American punk rock band (MARC)
Nov 16 Miss Navajo Shares Navajo Culture

Both events are 7pm at Grand County Library
and are free and open to the public.

Thanks to Utah Humanities Council
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Grand County Library

Get Reel in Moab

The third annual film festival, Get Reel in Moab, is going to be taking place November 12th, 13th, and 14 that Star Hall. Everybody is invited to come out and watch these films made by local filmmakers, as well as filmmakers from Colorado, Arizona, and various other locations. Tickets are available at Sgt. Peppers Music and Video.

This film festival was originally created and designed to showcase our local filmmakers, and give them an opportunity to show their work, gain experience, and network with other filmmakers. It has been successful in doing just that, and has now expanded to regions outside of Utah, bringing in wonderful talent from other areas.

This event is sponsored by the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, the longest running film commission in the world, celebrating 60 years.

The schedule of events is as follows: