Growing Native Receives the 2019 Telly Awards

Vision Maker Media Staff L to R: Alana Stone, Ann McKeighan, Shirley Sneve, Stacy Price, Rebekka Schlichting, Matt Nehe, Dawn Amory and Alyssa Ranard.

Published August 8, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. — Vision Maker Media’s originally produced four-part series, Growing Native, received four 2019 Telly Awards. Each episode received it’s own bronze award under the 2019 general-culture category.

“All four episodes received recognition this year, ” said Shirley K. Sneve, Executive Director of Vision Maker Media. “I’m grateful for the team that made this happen.”

Started in 1979, the Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. Receiving over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents, Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.

Growing Native, a series focusing on reclaiming traditional indigenous knowledge and food ways to address critical issues of health and wellness, the environment and human rights, highlights four regions in four different episodes: Northwest: Coast Salish, Alaska: People of the North, Great Lakes: Turtle Island and Oklahoma.

“As Native people, we understand the importance of reclaiming old ways for the health today.” said Sneve.

Growing Native was produced by Executive Director of Vision Maker Media, Shirley K. Sneve (Sicangu Lakota) and film producer/director/writer Charles “Boots” Kennedye (Kiowa). Host include native celebrities such as Chris Eyre (Cheyenne & Arapaho), internationally recognized film director of “SMOKE SIGNALS”, Stacey Thunder (Red Lake & Lac Courte Oreilles Cippewa), successful television journalist, producer and actress, and Moses Brings Plenty (Ogalala Lakota), renowned musician, actor, model and Native rights activist. Other producers include Brandon Verzal, Tyler “Blue” Tarpalechee (Muskogree Creek) and Pam Belgarde (Turtle Mountain Chippewa).