In this episode of Align To Your Design, Baeth Davis interviews filmmakers, Candice Dalsing and Rebekka Schlichting, co‑founders of Deer Woman Productions, who explain how they honor their late friend, Payton Canku, by creating authentic, Native‑led films. https://www.deerwoman.org They discuss the "Deer Woman" myth, powwow traditions, the impact of the buffalo genocide, and their current projects, including a horror feature and the documentary, Bring Them Home. The conversation also covers why Native people should tell Native stories, how listeners can support Indigenous creators (e.g. attend events, buy Native art, donate, apply for internships), and the duo’s focus on environmental stewardship, healing, and community uplift. Candice Dalsing BIO IG: @candicedalsingcreative | https://www.deerwoman.org/ Candice Dalsing is an award-winning Director/Producer based in Los Angeles, CA. As a part of the LGBTQ+ community and a descendant of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, she is known for her unwavering commitment to inclusive storytelling. With a career spanning over a decade in the film industry, Candice has become a pivotal figure in bringing to light the nuanced narratives of underrepresented communities. Her work, characterized by its depth, authenticity, and innovative approach, aims not only to entertain but to provoke thought and foster understanding across diverse audiences. Born and raised in a multicultural environment, Candice's passion for storytelling was ignited early on, leading her to pursue a career that bridges cultural divides and amplifies voices that often go unheard. Her journey is not just about making films; it's about challenging norms, opening dialogues, and building bridges through the power of cinema. Her dedication to inclusive storytelling not only enriches the film industry but also contributes significantly to the broader cultural landscape, making her a vital voice in the quest for equality and representation. Candice Dalsing FILMOGRAPHY National Impact Producer, “Bring Them Home,” 2024 Director, “Following in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors,” 2024 Director, “This is the End,” 2023 Director, “Can’t Look Back,” 2023 Director, “Take my Heart," 2023 Director, “The Future,” 2022 Director, “Read My Mind,” 2022 Director, “Meow,” 2022 Director, “Expensive,” 2022 Director, “Blindside,” 2022 Director, “ARTFUQ,” 2021 Director, “Over You,” 2021 Camera, “FITIBT," 2020-2022 Director, “Kathleen,” 2019 Director, “Cherry Bomb," 2019 Director, “Welcome to My World”," 2019 Director of Photography, “Four Cousins and a Christmas,” 2019 Director of Photography, “Passing Through,” 2019 Director, “A Day With Annie Cleary,” 2018 Director, “I Told You”,"2018 Director, “Hold You Tonight," 2018 Producer, “2 AM," 2018 Producer, “Silence," 2018 Producer, “Look What You Made Me Do," 2018 Producer, “White Flag," 2018 Rebekka Schlichting BIO https://www.deerwoman.org/ An enrolled member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Rebekka Schlichting is a filmmaker and owner of Native Storytelling Nation, LLC. In 2023, she directed, produced and wrote the documentary Seed Warriors, which is part of Firelight Media’s Homegrown series. Seed Warriors was funded by Vision Maker Media, Firelight Media, Center for Asian American and PBS. The world premiere was held at the world Indigenous Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand, and it played at various festivals in the U.S. Schlichting is an assistant professor of the practice at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications where she teaches writing, ethics, and a variety of video classes. She’s an adjunct for Nebraska Indian Community College where she teaches multimedia journalism. She co-directs the KU School of Journalism summer Native Storytelling Workshop for Native American high school students. She serves on the Lawrence Arts and Culture Commission, the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Culture Committee and heads the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Annual Powwow. Schlichting served as the assistant director and interim director at Vision Maker Media where she managed, wrote and reviewed BIPOC film and multimedia grants, promoted Indigenous films and led filmmaker workshops and events. While at VMM, she was named “40 under 40” by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Rebekka Schlichting FILMOGRAPHY Executive Producer, “When They Were Here,” 2024 Technical and content advisor, “Land Returns,” 2024 Director, “Seed Warriors,” 2023 Impact Producer, “Manzanar, Diverted,” 2020 Executive Producer, “Without a Whisper,” 2020 Executive Producer, “Osage Murders,” 2020 Executive Producer, “Sister Rising,” 2020 Executive Producer, “Blood Memory,” 2020 Director, “One Bucket at a Time,” 2014 Director, “Honoring the Spirit of Life,” 2014 READ MORE HERE https://news.ku.edu/news/article/ku-professor-producing-films-documenting-indigenous-work-to-reclaim-traditions
