Film Screening & Discussion: ‘Being Thunder’

The subject of ‌Stephanie Lamorré’s understated documentary “Being Thunder” is Sherenté Harris, a teenager living in Rhode Island who is a citizen of the Narragansett Tribal Nation. Sherenté is two-spirit, a term used ‌‌in ‌Indigenous ‌communities to describe those who identify as both masculine and feminine, or as between genders.

Sherenté has a passion for dance, and they used to perform as a ceremonial war dancer, following in their father’s footsteps. But as Sherenté’s gender identity changed, they also transitioned into a category of dance traditionally performed by women. In the film, Sherenté meets resistance at traditional dance competitions, as judges refuse to score Sherenté’s fancy shawl performance and friends share gossip that other dancers protested Sherenté’s inclusion in their category.’ – NYT

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H.W. Bush declared the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month. However, the first “American Indian Day” was celebrated in New York City in 1916. This is our time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American culture. It is essential to acknowledge the contributions that indigenous people contribute to this nation. This heritage month will raise awareness about the unique challenges Indigenous people have faced historically and in the present.

Albion College’s Native American land acknowledgment:
The College and community of Albion reside on Anishinaabe Waki, the traditional and contemporary land of the Anishinaabe People — the Three Fires Confederacy of Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi. Parts of what is now Michigan also include ancestral homelands of the Sauk, Meskwaki, Kickapoo, Menominee, Miami and Peoria Peoples.

The Office of Belonging and Campus Life would like to thank Anthropology & Sociology and Center for Sustainability & the Environment for their collaboration. Please see the flyer attached with the events.