Lead Dancer for the Allegany River Seneca Dancers, Bill Crouse, and his family (photo by Brandon Rivera).
The Native American SUNY: Western Consortium will present the CREATE Project documentary film “Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness” at the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall in Mason Hall at SUNY Fredonia on Friday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
The 90-minute film has been included in the Buffalo International Film Festival, the Cannes World Film Festival and the Stockholm City Film Festival. Local artist, activist, and folklorist Valerie Walawender will be available for questions after the film.
The documentary explores traditions and the universal experience of trauma felt by people and cultures from across the globe. Ms. Walawender executive-produced, wrote, and co-directed the film. Cinematographer Alex Simmons, a SUNY Fredonia alumnus, co-directed the film and was responsible for primary videography, narration, sound, and editing.
Residents from Dunkirk, Fredonia, Chautauqua County and other Western New York communities from diverse cultures and backgrounds came together to help create the ground-breaking documentary. Illustrated by images, music, and reflections, individuals and groups display their cultural heritage in dance, song, and artifacts.
Images of natural disasters, abuse, disease, genocide, slavery, poverty, and war appear in the documentary. A major underlying theme in the film is the idea that trauma is a universal experience, and that it is important to recognize that everyone is affected by various forms of trauma in their personal or collective history.
Local residents and contemporary events as well as people from a wide variety of historical circumstances are depicted. Individuals share how their close family connections, community support, and traditions help them survive and carry on in a spirit of hope.
Psychologist Darryl Tonemah, Ph.D., and celebrated neuroscientist Audrey Hager, Ph.D., explain in the film how the passing on of traditions in tender, nurturing environments can contribute to individual healing and the prevention of trauma.
The project was funded by Arts Services, Inc. and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The CREATE Project board of directors gratefully acknowledges a multitude of volunteers, agencies, and others who contributed to the making of the film, including the City of Dunkirk, Faithkeepers Montessori Language Nest, Warrior Flight Team, Clymer Central School, Native American Consortium, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Health Tapestry Program, Lori DeCarlo (Restorative Circles), Dunkirk Public Library and others.
