Shakopee Mdewakanton Donation Helps Produce Environmental Music Video Motion Picture

A music picture campaign, “Who’s Gonna Save You,” the Native Children’s Survival latest project made possible in part by a grant for $60,000, premiered Friday at the American Indian Film Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

An international broadcast premiere coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, will take place in November and December 2011. 

This 'music picture' is a combination of music video, featuring recording artist Robby Romero, and motion picture woven together as a call for protection of the earth.

Shot in New Orleans, a teenage boy named Apache Peace Warrior journeys on his skateboard through the city five years post-Hurricane Katrina. Tracy Polk Jr., the San Carlos Apache actor portraying the lead character, is a skateboard champion who plays a spirit messenger in the production. As he travels through the aftermath of the destruction, visions of natural and man-made disasters and their powerful warnings fill his mind. 

“We decided to support this project because we share common beliefs about taking care of Ina Maka, Mother Earth, and her resources for future generations,” said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks. “Native Children’s Survival is carrying this important message out to the world in a way that will  help make a difference. The platform of the UN Climate Change Conference is a good time and place to launch this project.” 

“Our music picture campaign was made possible by generous funding from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community,” says music picture Executive Producer Stacey Thunder of Eagle Thunder Entertainment (ETE). “We are incredibly grateful for their support and belief in our project.” 

Directed and produced by Romero, “Who’s Gonna Save You” presents an Indigenous perspective to a global crisis and calling for the restoration of life in balance. With insights from Hopi elder Thomas Banyacya and Onondaga Faithkeeper Chief Oren Lyons, the music picture honors the rights of Mother Earth and all her relations and commemorates the United Nations General Assembly’s historic move proclaiming Earth Day (April 22) as a day of international recognition called "International Mother Earth Day."

Along with Romero and Tracy Polk Jr.,  the production features Aaron Neville Jr., Thunder, and ETE recording artist, Dakota Romero. Street artists Jules Muck, Douglas Miles, and Banksy are also featured. The song “Who’s Gonna Save You?” was written and produced by Romero and Grammy Award producer, engineer, and musician, Steve Addabbo.

Additional funding was provided by the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska, and the National Indian Gaming Association.