BIFF Panel: Remaining Native In Focus

Oct 15 @ 3:00PM – 4:00PM: Live @ Buffalo Toronto Public Media + live streamed to social media platforms + BIFF's website

This panel focuses on BIFF's Decolonial Spotlight – Remaining Native – a coming-of-age documentary about Ku Stevens (17), a solo runner at his high school with no coach. Living on the Yerington Paiute reservation in Northwest Nevada, he is driven by his ambition to run for his dream school, the University of Oregon. As Ku trains, unreconciled emotions unearth the memory of his great-grandfather, Frank Quinn. At 8 years old, Frank ran 50 miles across the desert to escape an Indian boarding school. Frank’s story becomes interwoven with Ku’s journey to run a collegiate qualifying time.

Panelists: Remaining Native Director Paige Bethmann + Run Like A Native's Ross John Jr.

Moderator: Anna Scime

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*Please note there is free parking in Buffalo Toronto Public Media's parking lot for attendees.

*Seats are first come, first served and RSVP is strongly encouraged.

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WATCH THE LIVE STREAM HERE!

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Presented in partnership with the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging for the College of Arts and Sciences at University at Buffalo – The State University of New York.

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Please note –

After this panel, and prior to the Remaining Native screening, we invite you to participate in a community 5K fun run! Remaining Native documentary film team is partnering with Run Like A Native to bring local runners and Indigenous communities together to celebrate and raise critical awareness about the legacy of Indian Boarding Schools. We’ll kick off October 15th at 5:30PM under the Marquee at the North Park Theater.

Don’t forget to RSVP for your ticket and register to run!

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ABOUT THE FILM:

Remaining Native is a coming-of-age documentary told from the perspective of Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggling to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great-grandfather's escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future.

In 2021, the Stevens organized the “Remembrance Run” after the discovery of the 215 unmarked graves with Indigenous children’s remains in Kamloops, Canada. The run spanned two days, over 50 miles to honor the memory of Ku’s great-grandfather, Frank Quinn, who escaped from Indian boarding school at only 8 years old. Communities came together to also acknowledge all children who ran, who stayed behind, and didn’t make it home. Today, we run to carry prayers for boarding school survivors and descendants, to remember their stories and create spaces for healing.

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ABOUT RUN LIKE NATIVE:

RLAN is a non-profit organization, with the goal of promoting Native athletes and advocacy through running.