We have some exciting news to share with you all! ‘Uba Seo: Nisenan Arts and Culture has a new theater feature and we are currently screening a short film by Heidi Quante and Shelly Covert aptly called, ‘Uba Seo. We were proud to have the film accepted by the Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2022 and we will host it here through the month of April at the gallery in downtown Nevada City.
About the Film
Alluring visuals envelope the viewer while a haunting soundtrack sings the story of The Great Destruction, aka the gold rush. The single “momim ni” was composed and performed by Shelly Covert and is sung in the Nisenan language.
I was recently asked about the film and its deeper meaning. “It’s a story of a visiting River Nixy who hears the ‘Uba’s song and is drawn deep into the waters to listen as the River reveals its story. Because we believe water holds memory, the song remembers this landscape, the Nisenan, and the ways things used to be, as-well-as the sorrow of what happened here.”
I invite you all to come and see this very impactful work of art. The film is temporarily available to watch online here but to get the full immersion experience, you really need to come to our little theater and see it on the 15ft curved custom screen and hear it on this sound system.
And while you’re in the gallery to see the film, If you haven’t had the chance to see the ERASED exhibit, it’s still on display and will be through at least April of 2022. You can also join Ember on a tour of the exhibit by signing up for one of her guided tours here.
I hope to see you soon and as always, thank you for supporting CHIRP as we seek to: preserve, protect, and perpetuate Nisenan Culture.
You can now donate to help fund the Nisenan Language Project online here or send your check to CHIRP P.O. Box 2624 Nevada City, Ca. 95959 noting “Nisenan Language” on your donation. This recently reanimated project seeks to get Nisenan language source materials into the hands of our Nisenan community; under our control; accessible to our Nisenan Tribal membership. Or if you would like to make a more substantial funding commitment to our language revitalization efforts, reach out and let’s explore possibilities.