Nebraska’s Four Tribal Nations Unite for First-Ever State Screenings of Imagining the Indian
Historic collaboration brings award-winning documentary, filmmakers, and community discussions to Santee, Winnebago, and Lincoln during Native American Heritage Month
SANTEE, Neb. — For the first time in Nebraska, the award-winning documentary Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting will be featured in a three-day screening series, November 16-18, 2026, bringing together Nebraska's four federally recognized Tribal Nations, educational institutions, and community members to address harmful stereotypes and the ongoing movement to end Native American mascots.
Organized by the Nebraska Intertribal Coalition, consisting of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Santee Sioux Nation, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, the screenings mark what organizers describe as the first collaboration of its kind among the four Tribal Nations and participating educational partners.
The series is presented in partnership with Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC), Little Priest Tribal College, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's UNITE student group, and Sheldon Museum of Art, with support from Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
Held in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the events aim to encourage meaningful conversations about Native representation, cultural identity, and the impact of harmful stereotypes, while strengthening relationships among Tribal Nations and educational institutions.
The documentary, directed by Cheyenne filmmaker Ben West and Aviva Kempner, examines the movement to eliminate Native American names, imagery, and gestures used as sports mascots. Through archival footage, interviews, and the perspectives of Native advocates, the film explores the effects of these portrayals on Native communities and the ongoing efforts to challenge stereotypes.
The film was a finalist for the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film and was recognized among The Washington Post's best films of 2023.
Ben West, a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and Executive Director/CEO of the Rena Flying Coyote Collective, and Yancey Burns, a producer of the documentary and Chief Operating Officer of the Rena Flying Coyote Collective, will attend all three Nebraska screenings.
Each screening will be followed by an educational panel discussion featuring the filmmakers alongside Tribal leaders, staff, faculty, and students, providing opportunities for audiences to ask questions and engage in conversations about the film's message.
Opening Screening at Nebraska Indian Community College
The screening series will begin Monday, November 16, at 5:00 p.m. at NICC's new Santee Campus Community Event Center in Santee, Nebraska.
The Santee event will feature an educational panel discussion with:
• Kameron Runnels, Vice Chairman and Incoming Chairman of the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Council.
• Janelle Whipple, enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Nation, NICC Business Faculty member, and doctoral student in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University.
• David Freemont, Santee Sioux Nation artist, educator, NICC student pursuing a degree in Tribal Nation Building, and Gaming Commissioner for Ohiya Casino.
• Ben West, filmmaker, co-director, and co-producer of Imagining the Indian.
• Yancey Burns, filmmaker and co-producer of Imagining the Indian.
NICC President Michael Oltrogge and Kameron Runnels are also expected to assist with opening remarks, introductions, and event announcements.
Newly elected Omaha Tribal Council members Sariah Harlan and Taria Wolfe are also expected to attend the November 16 screening in Santee, joining Tribal leaders, educators, students, and community members for the event.
“Our culture, traditions, way of life, are not for someone’s entertainment. We are not your mascot. I hope all people can watch and be educated from this film and go back to where they live to speak out and oppose the use of Indian mascots in their schools and communities and help make a change.”— Kameron Runnels, Vice Chairman and Incoming Chairman, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Council
"Nebraska Indian Community College is honored to host the opening screening at our Santee campus. Tribal colleges have always been places where education and community meet, and this film starts a conversation our students and communities deserve to have — about how Native people are seen, and how we move forward together. When Nebraska's four Tribal Nations and our educational partners come together like this, everybody benefits." — Michael Oltrogge, President, Nebraska Indian Community College
"The topic of Indian mascots is a hot topic in Indian Country. While they do not represent all tribal nations, it's essential to examine the role they portray in Native American issues, education, and representation. We would love to have people within the Winnebago community and surrounding areas view the film and continue the conversation of Indian mascots with us at Little Priest Tribal College on November 17th, 2026, from 4 PM -7 PM at the Elk Clan Building Auditorium."— Manoj Patil, President, Little Priest Tribal College
"UNITE is honored to partner with the Nebraska Intertribal Coalition, the Sheldon Museum of Art, and the filmmakers to host this event on campus. Even today, Native people are subjected to harmful Native stereotypes perpetuated at sporting events in Nebraska, within our public school system. We hope to shift belief and behavior through education and conversation and invite the community to join us in this important process."— Gabriel Bruguier, UNITE Faculty Advisor & Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Three-Day Screening Schedule
Monday, November 16, 2026 — Santee, Nebraska
5:00 p.m.
Nebraska Indian Community College
Santee Campus Community Event Center
Santee, Nebraska
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 — Winnebago, Nebraska
4:00 p.m.
Little Priest Tribal College
Elk Auditorium
Winnebago, Nebraska
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — Lincoln, Nebraska
4:00 p.m. Sheldon Museum of Art
Abbott Auditorium Lincoln, Nebraska
Light refreshments will be provided at all three screenings. Each screening is free and open to the public, with no registration required.
Beyond the documentary screenings, organizers hope the events will serve as a foundation for future collaborative initiatives among Nebraska's Tribal Nations and educational institutions, creating opportunities for continued dialogue, cultural understanding, and cooperation beyond Native American Heritage Month.
About the Nebraska Intertribal Coalition
The Nebraska Intertribal Coalition brings together Nebraska's four federally recognized Tribal Nations: the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Santee Sioux Nation, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Through this screening initiative, the participating Tribal Nations are working alongside educational partners to promote dialogue and collaboration on issues affecting Native communities.
