KSUT and Native Public Media Host Exclusive Promotional Screening of Warrior Spirit
By Kyler Edsitty
Durango, CO, October 10, 2023 - PBS enthusiasts in Durango, Colorado, witnessed a remarkable fusion of community engagement and entertainment as KSUT Radio and Native Public Media (NPM) jointly hosted an exclusive promotional screening of "Warrior Spirit" from the second season of the PBS special, Native America. The event, held at the Fort Lewis College Student Union Ballroom, brought together a diverse crowd of TV lovers, critics, and students who eagerly gathered for a sneak peek at a series generating substantial buzz.
KSUT Radio, nestled on the Southern Ute Reservation, is renowned for its commitment to quality programming and community engagement. This time, they surpassed expectations by providing a platform for an early look at a TV series that promises to captivate audiences.
The screening event offered a tantalizing glimpse into the captivating world of "Native America," igniting excitement and anticipation for the first episode's official release on October 24. Building upon the success of its inaugural season, season two of "Native America" delves even deeper into the incredible diversity and resilience of Indigenous cultures, delivering a comprehensive understanding of their heritage, struggles, and achievements.
What made the event even more special was the opportunity for attendees to linger, network, and engage in discussions with fellow enthusiasts. The highlight of the evening was a Q and A session hosted by NPM Board Director Brian Brashier featuring producer Pamila Belgarde. Belgarde is a strong advocate for telling Indigenous stories, and her extensive career includes producing radio and television programs, including "Native America Calling," "Growing Native," "Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers," and "Rez-Robics for Couch Potato Skins." Belgarde's journey began at her tribe's community radio station, KEYA-FM, and she later earned a degree in Speech Communications from the University of North Dakota.
"There is nothing like the experience of live audience feedback as they view your work on the big screen. It makes all the hard work worthwhile," Belgarde stated. "I am grateful to Native Public Media for inviting me to screen 'Warrior Spirit' at Fort Lewis College in Durango. NPM did a great job hosting the event. Some audience members who spoke with me after the screening said the episode inspired them to work harder on their artistic endeavors! That's awesome!"
As the excitement builds for the official release of Native America season two on PBS, KSUT Radio and NPM have reaffirmed their commitment to engaging their audience in supporting quality programming, making this event a true celebration of the art of storytelling through television. Native America Season Two will feature four episodes on PBS.