UIS Instructor Chris Newell Part of Team That Wins News Emmy for Outstanding Research
In his role as senior adviser for DAWNLAND, UIS instructor Christopher Newell was part of the team that won the Outstanding Research Emmy at the 40th annual News and Documentary Awards. Newell, who co-teaches a Native Cultures class for UIS, is also director of education at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and co-founder of Akomawt Educational Initiative, an organization created to change the dominant narrative of how Native histories and cultures are taught in America.
DAWNLAND is a story for the Wabanaki people - the people of the dawn land. Our film presents testimony from Wabanaki people who are being separated from their families, nations, tribes, and communities by Euro-American settlers like me. The greatest recognition belongs to the Wabanaki people who have lived that experience and showed immense courage in telling their stories or holding them in their hearts, said co-director and producer Adam Mazo when accepting the award.
Upstander Project learning director Dr. Mishy Lesser said, This award applauds researchers everywhere, those who scour ignored documents and transcripts for clues that tell a fuller story. We kept digging until we found archival images and hidden information, and appreciate the Academy's recognition of our effort.
Learn more about DAWNLAND at https://dawnland.org/