Indigenous Journalists Association and The HISTORY Channel™ partnered to host a free virtual screening and panel discussion of ‘Sitting Bull’ prior to the documentary premiere
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and The HISTORY Channel™ will co-host a virtual screening and panel discussion for the two-part documentary ‘Sitting Bull’ on May 21 at 12 p.m. CT. IJA members and non-members will have exclusive access to watch the two-part documentary series prior to the television premiere on May 27 and May 28.
The panel discussion will provide IJA members an exclusive opportunity to learn about the new documentary and speak with a few people close to the project. The panelists will be Kul Wičaša Lakota actor Michael Spears who plays “Sitting Bull” in the documentary and co-director Christopher Nataanii Cegielski (Navajo).
ICT Executive Editor and IJA Vice President Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné) will moderate the discussion.
Registration is required by May 19. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to view the documentary prior to the discussion on May 21.
The deadline to register is May 19.
Narrated by Moses Brings Plenty (“Yellowstone”) and starring Kul Wičaša Lakota actor Michael Spears (“Dances with Wolves,” “1923”), the four-hour documentary series charts the heroic life and legacy of the renowned leader of the Lakota people from his origins as a tribal warrior, to his involvement in defending native lands, to his leadership in guiding the Lakota people through a tumultuous time in American history.
“Sitting Bull” offers an overarching exploration of the remarkable life and accomplishments of the fiercely brave yet humble Lakota chief. In the mid-19 th century, as American settlers continued their westward expansion, they began encroaching upon Native territories. Amid this turmoil, a legendary Lakota leader rose to defend his people, their culture, and their way of life. Unyielding in his resolve, he united Native Nations in an extraordinary alliance, lead them in the historic Battle of Little Bighorn against US Army General George Armstrong Custer, gained worldwide fame with Buffalo Bill Cody, and courageously fought against seemingly impossible odds. Told through expert interviews, dramatic yet authentic scripted sequences, and supplemented by rich archival material, “Sitting Bull’’ details the seminal moments and key figures in Native American history including the Washita Massacre, renowned warrior Crazy Horse, the Battle of Cedar Creek and the Wounded Knee Massacre. A+E Global Media holds worldwide distribution rights to “Sitting Bull.”
“Sitting Bull” is produced for The HISTORY Channel™ by Stephen David Entertainment and Appian Way Productions, in partnership with IllumiNative and GroupM Motion Entertainment. Stephen David is executive producer for Stephen David Entertainment. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson and Phillip Watson serve as executive producers for Appian Way Productions. Crystal Echo Hawk is executive producer for IllumiNative. Dee Jay Two Bears of Creative Native Network and Larry Pourier also serve as executive producers. Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serve as executive producers for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Mary E. Donahue and Zachary Behr are executive producers for The HISTORY Channel.
Panelists:
Michael Spears’ role in “Dances with Wolves” as Otter, catapulted him into the world of Film, Music and Public Speaking.
Before the age of 17, Michael had the privilege to learn from and work with many great actors such as Jimmy Smitts and Kim Delaney, in ABC’S production of the “Broken Chord” which Michael played the role of Adam, a child born with fetal alcohol syndrome.
A few more of his recent projects include “1923” role Runs His Horse, “1883” role Comanche Trader, “Sitting Bull” role Sitting bull, Chief Tendoy role Chief Tendoy “Z Nation”(2018) role-Black Hoof ,Sci-Fi Channel , “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” (2017) role Biscuit, Bleeding Cowboy, Longmire (2014) role Mica Dullknife, NETFLIX LLC,“Guns, “Jesus In Cowboy Boots” (2012) role- Tenkill, Tardust LLC, “The Activist” (2012) role- Bud, director Cyril Morin Girls & Gambling” (2010) role- Red Foot, GGG Films, “Yellow Rock” (2010) role- Broken Wing, Black Elk Mountain Prods LLC.
He expanded on his own Lakota language by working with the Lakota language coach, Charlie White Buffalo. Michael also works in the film industry as a technical adviser for Native American Cultures. When Michael is not filming or on the stage, he travels as a celebrity speaker covering topics that inspire and educate.
Christopher Nataanii Cegielski is an LA-based director, writer, and member of the Navajo Nation. Most recently, Christopher has been developing and co-directing a 10-part documentary series for Boardwalk Pictures and Pechanga Studios, focusing on the history of California from the Native perspective.
Christopher made his television debut by co-directing the upcoming History Channel series, SITTING BULL from executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio, which will premiere in May 2025. Christopher was also selected by AMAZON and ILLUMINATIVE for their Episodic Directors Program, where he shadowed director Deborah Kampmeier on the Amazon series OUTER RANGE, starring Josh Brolin.
Christopher was a fellow of the DGA and AICP’s joint Commercial Diversity Directors Program (CDDP), whose purpose is to increase diversity representation in commercial filmmaking. He has since worked with clients such as the FDA, ABC, United Airlines, Google, Youtube, Altra, AriZona Beverages, and DIG DEEP on their Navajo Water Project.
Christopher’s narrative work has received international recognition from festivals such as the Berlinale, SXSW, imagineNATIVE, Sun Valley, and the LA Film Festival. He has received artistic development from the Sundance Native Lab’s Time Warner Producers Fellowship and Film Independent’s Project Involve Program, where he received the Sony Pictures Diversity Fellowship Grant. In 2020, Christopher was a finalist for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative with mentor Spike Lee.
Moderator:
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye is the managing editor of ICT and based in the Washington DC bureau. She previously served as the executive editor. That role made her the first woman and youngest to be the chief news executive and top editor of the 44-year-old newspaper and website. She’s also vice president of and in her fifth year as a board member of the Indigenous Journalists Association (formerly the Native American Journalists Association). She is a Diné citizen of the Navajo Nation.
About The HISTORY Channel™
The HISTORY Channel™ is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based programming, The HISTORY Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY Channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for several consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For additional press materials visit the A+E Global Media Press Center at press.aegm.com.
