Weaving a narrative: Filmmaker Ramona Emerson captures journeys of IAIA alumni

Ramona Emerson is a storyteller.

Through various mediums, the Diné writer and filmmaker originally from Tohatchi can weave together a powerful narrative.

Her latest project, “Making History,” consists of seven vignette films that showcase a Native artist and their impact in the world.

The project was done to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and the 60th anniversary of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

The short film series showcases IAIA alumni who have made significant contributions to the world, the nation, and their own communities.

“Making History” shares the central role of IAIA as an epicenter of the dynamic contemporary Native Arts movement — 1962 to present.

The documentary series will kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, as part of the “Colores!” program. Emerson begins the series with Heather Ahtone.

The series will run weekly through Oct. 21 and features IAIA alumni such as Charlene Teters, Patricia Michaels, George Rivera, Layli Longsoldier, Joy Harjo and Golga Oscar.

The series streams on the PBS app.

Emerson says she’s been working for IAIA since she was an MFA student.

“While I was there, I was filming all the lectures,” she says. “I’ve continued the relationship with the institution. When it came time for the 50th and 60th anniversary, my husband and I are both alumni, and we were asked to make a documentary.”

Emerson says the documentary is just a piece of the project.

It includes a book with the same name and is a unique resource not only guides educators and the public in how to interpret key interpretative American Indian art themes such as the body, dance, and visual icons using Indigenous methodologies.

It also charts contemporary Native arts origins, drawing from the wisdom of elders, artists, poets, and educators.

The book features poetry by Alex Jacobs (Mohawk) and Elizabeth Woody (Navajo, Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama), and original essays by David Wade Chambers, Charles A. Dailey, Lara M. Evans (Cherokee), Stephen C. Fadden (Mohawk), Ryan S. Flahive, Suzanne Newman Fricke, Alex Jacobs (Mohawk), Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer (Hopi/Choctaw), Robert Martin (Cherokee), Nancy Marie Mithlo (Chiricahua Apache), Patsy Phillips (Cherokee), John Paul Rangel (Mestizo, Apache, Navajo, Spanish descent), Jessie Ryker-Crawford (White Earth Chippewa), and David Warren (Santa Clara Pueblo).

“When we were first tasked with this, we were early in the process and took photographs of some of the alumni,” Emerson says. “While we were doing this, we picked a solid number and went with this. The reason we decided to highlight these IAIA alums is that they brought significant change to their communities. They really have made impacts beyond the art world.”

Emerson says each vignette gives a glimpse of the artist and their journey.

“Each artist has gone beyond becoming a famous artist,” she says. “Each one has a cause, and they are still making steps to fight for rights.”

Aside from being an alumni, Emerson says IAIA has a special place in her heart.

“I remember my mom would take me to classes with her when she was at IAIA,” Emerson says. “The institution is part of my family history. I was able to learn as a child from a lot of different Native authors and artists during that time. This project was important to me because it tells our stories.”