Chris Eyre, award-winning director and producer of more than 15 feature films, has been named the fall 2017 .
An enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes, Eyre was until recently chair of the film school at Santa Fe University of Art and Design. His film, Smoke Signals (1998) was the first feature film directed by a Native American to receive a national theatrical release. Upon the release of Skins (2002) starring Graham Green, People Magazine called Eyre ¡°the pre-eminent Native American filmmaker of his time.¡±
Eyre¡¯s numerous accolades also include being named a 2007 USA Rockefeller Foundation Fellow.
“Chris Eyre is the pre-eminent Native American filmmaker. His experiences and wisdom should be inspirational to Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s growing Indigenous Film Community as well as the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Indigenous Film Program,” said , associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. “As a long-time chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Inouye, and Maggie as well, believed deeply in public history and the importance of documenting the first hand experiences of indigenous peoples. Chris Eyre is a choice—and voice—with whom they would have been pleased.”
While in Â鶹´«Ã½, Eyre will present several class lectures at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ and UH West Oʻahu.
- November 8, 6:30–8 p.m.
Eyre will participate in “Native Lenses/ʻOiwi Optics: A Community Panel on Indigenous Film-making” also featuring Chris Kahunahana and Donne Dawson, moderated by Leanne Ferrer at the ARTS at Marks Garage. - November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Eyre will present a keynote lecture on his next documentary Statues Between U.S. at the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ William S. Richardson School of Law¡¯s Classroom 2.
All public events are free and open to the public.
More about the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals
Established in 2005 by the UH Board of Regents, the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals brings significant public figures to Â鶹´«Ã½ to foster public discourse regarding democratic ideals and civic engagement. The chair is housed in the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Department of American Studies in the College of Arts and Humanities and the William S. Richardson School of Law.
For more information, contact Noelle Kahanu, assistant specialist, American studies department at nmkahanu@hawaii.edu.