Red Works Studio has included Hollywood, FL  in the ‘RWS Summer + Fall tour 2010′. During August 13 – 16th, RWS is available for portraits, promo, headshots and event services sessions. Contact Booking@RedWorks.ca or call (519) 732-1035.

Red Works Studio empowers contemporary Indigenous lifestyles and cultures through photographic essays, features, and portraits. Red Works Studio is owned & operated by Nadya Kwandibens.

The photographer, Nadya Kwandibens is of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) / French heritage from the Northwest Angle #37 First Nation in Ontario, Canada. She is a self-taught, dynamic photographer specializing in artistic natural light portraiture, fashion, promotional sessions, and event photography.

 A Conversation with Jr Redwater

5/4/2010 9:00 PM

Call-in Number: (646) 595-3155

JR Redwater. age 33, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Born November 26th 1975, His parents are, Dominic Sr. and Leanne Redwater.

Coming from a poor alcoholic family wasn’t a happy life, and because it was a dysfunctional family he knew he had to dream big. Growing up on an Indian Reservation in Native America was definitely a test of JR’s will, to conquer centuries of systematic oppression and genocide.

The experience of sexual and physical abuse as a child would certainly be obastacles to overcome, in order to try to live a “normal” life.

At the age of ten, he got his Indian name in a naming ceremony. It would be “Wanbli-Ohitika”, which meant Brave Eagle, his Native American culture would play an important role in his life. He sang and danced traditional on the pow-wow trail, making sure to honor his name, which he got from dancing as a boy during a cultural presentaion. Kids mocked him as he danced, but he decided to dance for those that appreciated his culture, and be proud of his heritage. This courage would be an attribute to his life long journey.

After high school graduation, JR joined the US Navy. Going to see the world and get the heck out of South Dakota! It seemed like a good solution for a kid who liked adventure. It would be to this day one of his best decisions yet! Although, he would become heavily dependant on alcohol. Only in an attempt to escape his demons from the past. After boot camp he was forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS INDEPENDENCE, after a year in Japan his new orders were to meet his new ship off the coast of California, the USS CARL VINSON, CVN-70, a nuclear aircraft carrier.  Three WestPac cruises to the Persian Gulf and four years later, he would move back to South Dakota only to live a life as a disfunctioning alcoholic.

Realizing he was going nowhere fast, he jumped the Greyhound Bus to California to embark on his long dream.

Quickly learning that alcohol was not the only drug, he became involved in a whirlwind of chaos, but luckily enrolled in the United States Truck Driving School, and became a long haul truck driver.

A year and a half later, JR was stopped in Huntington Beach, California while driving under the influence of alcohol, twice, in two months. Losing his Class A license was just the beginning of the end. JR vowed to quit drinking and started to attend meetings at Alcoholic Anonymous. For the first time since he started his drinking career, he was sober. Only for nine months. A brief visit back to South Dakota would prove to be his first relapse in recovery. Three DUI’s one year. The judge sentenced JR to 60 days in the county jail, and massive fines and probation.

Immediately, after serving his Felony DUI jail sentence, JR committed his self to alcohol rehab, even after the court only recommended continued A.A. meetings.

After returning to Southern California, JR got a job as a hydraulic mechanic, and realized that this job was a dead end. He had no where else to turn, so he began his career as a professional stand-up comedian. The rest is history, quitting his job and never to return back to his greasy day job.

Today, JR is following his hearts dream. He is drug and alcohol free, and now resides in Southern Californai. His life experiences at such a young age, allows him to share his knowledge with those who dare to dream, he mentors to high school students and young adults. He is a devoted Christian.

He is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and comedian. Touring with: Pow-wow Comedy Jam, and Lone Worlf Comedy Tour to Iraq to perform for the troops, and most notably, being featured in the upcoming Showtime Comedy Special, “Goin’ Native, American Indian Comedy Slam, No Reservations!” to be debuted on Showtime Cable Network in November, 2009.

Sure life was a little bumpy, but if he didn’t experience these things, how would he know how to overcome life’s everyday problems? His comedy has always been an outlet for his anger. It has been the way he has always tried to heal people’s hurts. It is a way of life for him. Brave Eagle will live up to his name, in the face of adversity, helping his people and relatives around the world!

The “Reservation Sensation” is truly living the Native American Dream! This rising star surely is shattering stereotypes of the modern day Indian, and is happy to call himself, a leader for all to follow!!

A Conversation with RedCloud took place on March 27, 2010. We talked about life, Kenpo Karate, tattoo’s, and the ‘Battle of the Chiefs’ that’ll take place on April 24th in Albuqureque, NM. The battle consists of four belts – Red, White, Black, White. Chief Rocka is also looking for emcee’s to fill the undercard. Interested parties should send their BIO, music and videos to ChiefRockaBattle@gmail.com. Follow @ChiefRocka on Twitter for more updates.

A Conversation with Ryan Red Corn

3/25/2010 8/9 AM Eastern

Call-in Number: (646) 595-3155

Ryan is an Osage who spent his early years on the Osage Reservation in the largest of the three existiing traditional Osage Indian Villages, the Wa.hxa.ko.lin district. He is a member of the Tsi.zho Wa.shta.ke Clan (Peace maker/Gentle Sky Clan) and was named accordingly at age five . Ever since age six, he has been a participant in the Osage In.lon.shka dance.

Ryan attended the University of Kansas, where he graduated in 2003 with a B.F.A in Graphic Design. While at KU, he served four years in the First Nations Student Association, and two of those years as Co-president. In 2004 he was named the Big XII Conference Native American Leadership Graduate Student of the Year.

Among other things he curated an all Native activist art exhibit for the Mid America American Studies Association, sat on several university wide discussion panels dealing with the issue of Indian mascots and American Indian Identity, helped organize a protest at the Kansas City Chiefs/Washington Redskins game, and is currently working on a documentary on the Indian mascot issue.

Ryan’s graphic design clientele is almost exclusively Native American tribes, Native owned businesses and Native American non-profit groups. He is very familiar with protocol and the proper use of imagery of Native American populations and producing work on a national level through the integration of tribally specific designs to each one of their respective communities.

Ryan bridges the long standing gap between traditional Native communities and the graphic design world that is used to represent them to the general public. He has earned the trust and respect of indigenous communities throughout the country with his hands on communal level approach and understanding of their wishes, desires, and maintenance of their specific tribal aesthetic designs systems and symbols.

Bringing American Indian graphic representation into the 21st century with a no holds barred unapologetic philosophy, Ryan aims to disassemble the publics perception of Indigenous peoples. He currently lives and runs his company Red Hand Media and Demockratees among his people of the traditional Osage community in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

The White House Project 2010 EPIC Awards ‘Emerging Artist’ category includes filmmaker Georgina Lightning for Older Than America. Deadline for voting ends March 22 at 11:59 PM.

Older Than America is the story of a daughter who has visions of  her mothers experiences at a Catholic boarding school that reflects the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that was endured by Native American and First Nations people more than 35 years ago.

The White House Project is a (501) (c) 3 that is geared towards woman leadership in all communities and sectors.