Native American filmmaker Blake Pickens (Chickasaw) has joined the documentary film “Reservation Redemption” from first-time director Brenda Fisher (Yakama).
Fisher and Pickens, who produced “ Wild Indian ,” will co-direct and co-produce the project. Brice Fisher (Siletz), son of Brenda Fisher, is associate producer.
“Reservation Redemption” offers a unique and personal lens into the most incarcerated race in the state of Washington: Native Americans. The logline reads: The film explores the transformation of “Chief” Marchand Rice (Colville) from a teenager guilty of murder sentenced to life in prison without parole, to a respected leader throughout Washington State prisons. As a teen in prison, Chief met Francis Cullooyah, a Kalispel spiritual leader, who asked him point-blank: “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” The film follows his journey from this pivotal moment to his “Red Road” to redemption, uncovering his deep commitment to culture and spiritual healing which now inspires countless others.
In a statement to Variety, Pickens said, “Growing up, a lot of my family was doing life on the installment plan, so prison reform is an issue that really hits home for me. When Brenda told me the story of Reservation Redemption, I knew how powerful it could be, and I had to be a part of it.”
The documentary will combine research data, interviews with activists, historical recounts, and in-depth sit-downs with experts to explore the prison systems, native culture, and the families affected by this systemic oppression.
Brenda Fisher, who hosts the “Reservation Redemption” podcast featuring Native American stories and voices, and has executive produced Native American lore horror-thriller “The Windigo” said, “I grew up with ‘Chief’ on the Yakama Reservation and witnessed a lost boy’s self-destruction culminate into a life sentence. Years later, he had become a man who discovered his culture and had taken responsibility for his past and created a future.”
She went on to say, “We hope to expose how the loss of culture has devastated Native families and contributed to the generational trauma and harmful repercussions of not knowing one’s roots, including the consequences of the way the world views us.”
“Reservation Redemption” is a fiscally sponsored project of the International Documentary Association, a nonprofit organization that supports documentary filmmakers and helps them fundraise for their project. The film also received an initial research grant from Vision Maker Media, which supports projects that represent the cultures, experiences, and perspectives of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
Brenda Fisher is repped by attorney Joshua R. Lastine at Lastine Entertainment Law. Pickens is repped by Brittany Meckelborg at Sheree Guitar Entertainment.
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