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Update #20: Help Me Say Thank You to Our Partners
Help me say thank you to the many partners supporting Racing the Rez in this campaign by doing one of the following:
- Buy columnist MC Coolidge's "Sideways in Sarasota" at Sarasota bookstores or online at Amazon. You can also follow her blog and check out the many ways you can put her writing chops to work for you at mccoolidge.com. MC is a dear, long-time friend who lent her PR expertise to this campaign and made it a huge success.
- If you haven't already, buy "Born to Run", read it and run. Author Christopher McDougall's generosity in support of our Kickstarter campaign is a huge reason why we reached and exceeded our goal! This is the book started the barefoot running revolution and changed the very stride of running worldwide. Read his blog at chrismcdougall.com or follow him on twitter @McDougallChris
- Support Alvina Begay, an elite Navajo distance runner, when she runs at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston this Saturday, January 14th. You can send her messages of support on the Nike N7 facebook page [facebook.com/NikeN7] and watch the race on NBC from 3:00-5:00 pm EST. You can also follow her on twitter @AYBegay
- Give barefoot running a try in a pair of custom made Luna Sandals from Barefoot Ted's company lunasandals.com. While you're there get info about how to transition to barefoot running - don't just go out and run 10 miles barefoot!
- Register to run the Shiprock Marathon, half, 10K or relay today! The only marathon on the Navajo Nation starts on May 5th 2012. [shiprockmarathon.com]
- Register & enter the lottery to race the Soulstice Mountain Trail Run on October 13, 2012 or any of the other fantastic runs organized by NATRA (Norhtern Arizona Trail Running Association) [natra.org]
- Subscribe to Indian Country Today Magazine or follow their website at indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com to get the best national platform for Native voices and issues and the finest reporting on Native news.
- Hire Chef James Cullen and his catering company Le Cochon Bourre (loosely translated from my non-existent French as Delicious Cajun!) to give your next event a distinctly Louisiana flare. Your guests and their appetites will thank you! [lecochonbourre.com] or check him out on Facebook or at The Accidental Cajun.
- Check out Nike N7 at niken7.com, learn more about their mission and buy some cool gear with Native designs. They are committed to bring sport and all of its benefits to Native American and Aboriginal communities in the USA and Canada.
- Looking for top notch Native documentary or film? Vision Maker Video offers the finest Native programs in their extensive catalog. Have a look at visionmaker.semkhor.com.
- If you're in Stillwater, Oklahoma, stop in to the Old School Bagel Cafe on 502 North Main Street and have one of their legendary bagels. Say hello and thank you to Bill Ford for support Racing the Rez. [oldschoolbagelcafe.com]
- Get the latest running news from Mark Remy at RW Daily [rwdaily.runnersworld.com] and runnerspace.com. Interact with other runners and contribute to the discussion at letsrun.com.
Thank you again to everyone who made this Kickstarter campaign a success!
Update #19: YOU DID IT!
For backers only,
Posted on January 13
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Update #18: Just 24 Hours To Go!
Because of you we're currently $1,300 over our goal! That extra funding means we not only have enough to finish editing and polishing the documentary but we can start to put some money toward our outreach program.
You're already a star in our eyes but in this last 24 hours if there's one last person you've been meaning to mention the film to or one last message of support you've been meaning to post and you have a minute to do it, we'll boost you to super-nova status.
Every pledge we get helps the impact of Racing the Rez travel that much farther!
Our link is: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1808230198/racing-the-rez-a-documentary
Our short link is: http://kck.st/s9Ktqe
Thank you again! You make Racing the Rez possible!
Brian
Update #17: Another Fantastic Article at Indian Country Today Media Network!
Bryan Abrams and the staff at Indian Country Today Media Network did a follow up article on our Kickstarter campaign and our thoughts on reaching our $15k goal.
Click here or copy into your browser: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/01/10/racing-the-rez-documentary-reaches-kickstarter-goal-71431
Thank you again to all of you for making this possible by pledging and spreading the word.
We still have three days left to raise funds that will now go toward our outreach program. If you have a minute in the next few days to post a link or spread the word, there's still plenty of great rewards left.
I can't thank you enough, all the best!
Brian
Update #16: NEW REWARD: Hand Carved Hopi Kachina Doll
The grandfather of Hopi runner Dennis Klain, one of the boys from Racing the Rez, has donated a He-li-li kachina doll that he carved to our Kickstarter campaign as a reward for a pledge of $300 or more.
Front view of the He-li-li kachina doll
This is an incredibly generous gift and a very rare opportunity to get a beautiful work of original art from a Hopi master carver while also supporting Racing the Rez. We are deeply honored to have such a gift and very thankful.
Kachinas are spiritual beings that represent all things in the natural world and universe. In Hopi culture, kachina dolls are representations of those beings traditionally hand carved by uncles and given to uninitiated girls at the Bean Dance to teach them about the many kachinas that exist. Today, however, kachina dolls are also sold and collected as art.
Back view of the He-li-li kachina doll
As Dennis and his grandfather explain, the He-li-li is a kachina borrowed from the Pueblos of New Mexico, which has become popular on the Hopi Mesas today. Its name comes from the call it makes when it does a fast, trembling movement. The He-li-li often appears in mixed dances or with a group made entirely of the same kind, although there are many variations. When it comes to the body, there are two types of He-li-li which have different colors: one type wears a regular Hopi kilt, and the other wears a snake design kilt.
The He-li-li is a quiet and fast paced dancer that remains in constant motion. It is a whipper kachina who serves as a guardian for other kachinas and protects the kiva. Some people will also ask to be blessed by the kachina and whipped with its yucca whips on an area of the body that needs to be healed. The He-li-li may also use its yucca whips to discipline those who are misbehaving.
If you are interested in the He-li-li kachina and have already chosen a reward, please note that you can change your reward at any time before January 13th at 9:43 am.
Thank you so much to Dennis and his grandfather!
Brian
302
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$17,489
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 13.
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The “reward” here is our sincere thanks! Thank you! No donation is too small and every dollar counts as we move toward our goal to finish this film.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Postcard Collection: Stunning landscape photographs of Arizona taken by Brian Truglio make this five-postcard collection suitable for framing or mailing; they make ideal gifts and stocking stuffers for next year too!
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
All of the above PLUS a thank you on our films web site and social media sites PLUS the beautiful 11 x 14 official movie poster for Racing the Rez.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
All of the above PLUS free entry to the 29th annual Shiprock 10K Trail Walk on May 5, 2012. Part of the only event on the Navajo Nation of its kind, the 10K finishes atop Blueberry Hill Mesa wth tremendous views of the surrounding mountains. Go to www.shiprockmarathon.com for more information. (Travel and accommodation not included.)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
All of the above PLUS an autographed photo card of Alvina Begay – elite Navajo runner and Nike N7 ambassador. Photography generously provided by N7 (www.nike7.com).
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
All of the above PLUS the official Racing the Rez t-shirt designed by the director.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
All of the above PLUS Automatic entry to the 18th annual CHUSKA CHALLENGE mountain bike ride through the stunning Chuska Mountains on the Navajo Nation. Riders select routes that match their skills and interest. Last years advanced route was a climb of 9,800 feet to the summit of Roof Butte. Race is in October 2012 (date TBD) and benefits the NavajoYES non-profit. Go to www.navajoyes.org/Chuska for more information. (Travel and accomodation not included.)
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
All of the above PLUS a DVD of Racing the Rez signed by the director after the film is finished.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All of the above PLUS free entry to the 29th annual Shiprock HALF-MARATHON on May 5, 2012. Part of the only event on the Navajo Nation of its kind, the half marathon starts in Shiprock and covers the last half of the marathon course. This popular race is capped at 300 runners so this is a great oppurtunity. Go to www.shiprockmarathon.com for more information. (Travel and accomodation not included.)
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All of the above PLUS a special thank you on the film AND a signed photo by director Brian Truglio from the series "Father Sky". Choose one of three 8 x 10 limited edition photos; suitable for framing and gift-giving.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
All of the above PLUS a personally signed & dedicated copy of Born to Run, a book that has created a new paradigm for running, by author Christopher McDougall (chrismcdougall.com) an extremely generous backer of Racing the Rez. You can read his blog at: www.chrismcdougall.com/blog. Thank you Chris!
Pledge $175 or more Pledge $175 or more
All of the above PLUS free entry to the 29th annual Shiprock MARATHON on May 5, 2012. This breathtaking high desert marathon is on a USATF certified course and is the only marathon event on the Navajo Nation. This popular race is capped at 150 runners so this is a great oppurtunity. Go to www.shiprockmarathon.com for more information. (Travel and accomodation not included.)
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
ATTENTION NYC AREA DONORS! All of the above PLUS dinner for TWO (2) at your home prepared by renowned and generous NYC chef James Cullen. Custom menu designed by you and James (within reason, of course). New York City Area Only - click send message above if you have a question about your location. (See bio and credentials on left.)
Pledge $225 or more Pledge $225 or more
All of the above PLUS an overnight hike into the remote backcountry canyon lands around the Grand Canyon, Tuba City and Western Reservation area by hiking guru Bill Orman, father of runner Billy Orman, one of the boys featured in the documentary. For more details please see Update #13 by clicking on the Update Tab at the top of the page. Trail and other details to be worked out between backer and Bill Orman. (Travel & accommodation not included.)
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the above PLUS, for the barefoot runner, a pair of custom, hand made Luna Sandals (lunasandals.com) from the extremely generous Barefoot Ted who you may remember from Chris McDougall's BORN TO RUN. Thank you Ted and Chris!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the above PLUS a second signed photo by director Brian Truglio from the series "Father Sky". A total of two out of three 8 x 10 limited edition photos signed and dated by Brian Truglio; suitable for framing and gift-giving.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the above PLUS free entry to the 2012 SOULSTICE MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUN in Flagstaff, Arizona. Consisting of two gorgeous mountain loops between 7,900 and 8,000 ft in elevation, you can run either a 6 mile half loop or 11 mile full loop. Ranked one of the top 32 trail races in the country by Runners World in 2011, this trail run is highly popular and limited to 200 runners. Now in it's 13th year, race day is October 13, 2012. Runner's World also claims it has "one of the best post-races parties anywhere." Visit the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association website (www.natra.org) for more information. (Travel and accomodation not included.)
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
All of the above PLUS a hand carved He-li-li Kachina (See photo on left). This Hopi whipper Kachina is a quiet and fast paced dancer popular on the Hopi Mesas today. The He-li-li serve as guardians for other kachinas and protectors of the kiva. Its whip can also be used for healing and for disciplining those who misbehave. For more info see Update #16 by clicking the UPDATE tab above. This is a rare opportunity to get a beautiful Kachina from a master Hopi carver and support Racing the Rez.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
All of the above PLUS a third signed photo by director Brian Truglio from the series "Father Sky". All three 8 x 10 limited edition photos; suitable for framing and gift-giving.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
ATTENTION EAST COAST AND MIDWEST DONORS! All of the above PLUS a one hour sightseeing flight for up to three (3) people over your home town with Sport Aviation magazine senior editor Steve Schapiro in his Piper Cherokee Arrow. Steve lives in Wisconsin, but flies to NJ and DC to visit family and friends and is willing to do so for a lucky donor. He has been flying his whole life and earned his private pilot's license when he was 17. (Area is Boston to DC and 200 mile radius from Chicago. Details to be worked out between donor and Steve. Travel and accommodation not included. Click 'Ask A Question' at left if unsure.)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
All of the above PLUS a guided running tour of Boston and surrounding area with the director followed by a fabulous dinner (on him). (Travel and accommodation not included.)
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
ATTENTION NYC AND BOSTON AREA DONORS! All of the above PLUS dinner for 10-12 people at your home, with the director, prepared by renowned and generous NYC chef James Cullen. Evening includes exclusive screening of the documentary. Custom menu designed by you and James (within reason, of course). New York City and Boston Area Only - click send message above if you have a question about your location. (See bio and credentials on left.)
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
All of the above PLUS TWO (2) complimentary passes to attend the Fall 2012, Boston, MA premiere for Racing the Rez – where you’ll be able to meet the director. (Premiere pass only; travel and accommodation not included).
Project By
Connected as Brian Truglio (335 friends)
I am an editor and filmmaker with over 13 years experience in television and film. Racing the Rez is my first feature length documentary and I shot and produced it myself.
This documentary is a personal journey. As a high school cross-country runner at Watchung Hills Regional High School in New Jersey, I lost a very close friend and teammate the summer before my senior year. Suddenly running took on a new meaning for our entire team. It gave us the time and space to come to terms with our loss and made me realize just how much running strengthened me in ways I never expected.
I first traveled to the Navajo and Hopi reservations as part of a college assistant teaching program in 1991 and I've been continually drawn back ever since. Knowing the long Navajo and Hopi tradition of running, I set out to see if cross-country was having the impact on Navajo and Hopi boys that it had on me. After two years and two seasons of filmming, Racing the Rez is the story of that impact.
I went to college at Bucknell University and studied photography, film and video at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY. I would never have gotten this far on Racing the Rez without the tremendous support I've received from all directions. Thank you so much for you time and interest, we can't wait to complete the film and share it with you.
