(Complete 6 Part Series)

Chiefs and Champions takes an intimate look at aboriginal athletes from Canadaand other parts of North America, who, besides being world class performersin their chosen sport, have become so much more. Many of these heroes havegone on to become important leaders in their communities and countries, rolemodels and advocates, on international levels.From the great Odondaga athlete, Tom Longboat, regardedas the world s best distance runner who at the age of 19, in 1907, held theworld s record for theBoston Marathon toSalish boxing champion, Chief Roger Adolph, who in the1960 sheld numerous and simultaneous bantamweight titles, both in the US and Canada.This Chief of the Lillooet , for the past 17 years,has paved the way in landrights negotiations andnow fights for the rights of his people. Our series also profiles Olympicmedalist Alwyn Morris, the Mohawk from Kahnawake ,who won Gold and Bronze in kayaking at the 1984 Olympics in LosAngeles . Now a member of his Band Council,he is an advocate and activist. He was on the frontlines at Oka protecting the traditionalterritories of his ancestral home. His voice of victory plus hard work helpedto establish the prestigious North American Indigenous Games.As we retrace our heroes past accomplishments and define what drives theminto the future, we will clearly be able to identity with their personal journeysand the universal struggle to greatness. For many the perseverance throughadversity has only made them stronger. 

Where is the Native North Americanathlete in relationship to the global sporting arena? Through personal interviews,archive footage, re-enactment, photos and narration, we will learn what ittakes, both on and off the field of sport, to bring the torch of victory andhumility back home to the community. Through compelling interviews with familymembers and peers, Chiefs and Champions will not only reflect the historyand heartbreaks of our dedicated athlete, but will pay tribute and celebratetheir relentless perseverance and spiritual dedication.As we get to know them, up close and personal, we will begin to understandthat the inner strength and resolve necessary to achieve these goals didn tstop on the field. They have gained much more than just athletic success andrespect. They are undeniably Chiefs and Champions.

COMPANY  -  Big Red Barn Productions
PRODUCER  -  Ken Malenstyn & Annie Frazier Henry    
COPYRIGHT  -  2004
RUN TIME  -  144 minutes

Prices include public performance rights.
Only available in the US.