PLEASE SUPPORT RESERVATION REDEMPTION WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION
by Reservation Redemption
WELCOME
Welcome to the Fundraising Page for Reservation Redemption, a documentary that will educate viewers on how the loss of Native American culture has devastated Native families and contributed to generational trauma as it delves into the harmful repercussions of not knowing one's roots.
LOGLINE
One juror away from the death penalty at 17, a lost Colville tribal member, known as “Chief”, discovers his culture and identity to make a change that inspires a following of the most incarcerated race in Washington state toward the “Red Road”.
WHAT IS THE RED ROAD?
The “Red Road” signifies a deep commitment to living life emersed in the culture — with an intrinsic respect for others and oneself, and turning one’s back on addiction to drugs, alcohol, and crime.
ABOUT THE FILM
This documentary will follow the journey of “Chief” Marchand Rice, a Colville Citizen and tribal member who has spent over three decades behind bars for a murder he committed as a teenager. As Chief navigates the harsh realities of prison life, he is faced with a pivotal question from a tribal elder that sets him on a path of self-discovery and redemption: “Who do you want to be when you grow up?”
Reservation Redemption offers a unique and personal lens into the most incarcerated race in the state of Washington: Native Americans. Chief’s story will be told through interviews I have conducted with Native American experts, tribal spiritual leaders, and inmates within Chief’s vast network, and compellingly narrated via intimate phone conversations between Chief and I. Viewers will learn about Chief's transformation from a teenager guilty of murder to a respected leader at a Washington State Prison. Our movie will culminate in Chief’s resentencing hearing which we filmed in 2023.
Chief’s story is powerful because he is a living example of the devastating impact of "Westernization" on our youth; it is difficult to thrive when you don’t know who you are. We will cover how laws enacted to “save the man, kill the Indian” dating back to the 1800s have led to disproportionately higher incarceration rates in an otherwise underrepresented, underserved community all while emphasizing the importance of spiritual healing from a Native perspective. Cinematically, we will use sweeping visuals of tribal lands and pow-wows to juxtapose against the harsh confines of life behind prison walls.
With a recent change in state law offering Chief a chance at a new beginning, audiences will witness the power of resilience, grit, and the unwavering spirit of one man determined to make amends for his past. Chief will be on a path to pay it forward and help others to walk the “Read Road” and avoid the mistakes from his past. The culture is now what drives him and he will continue to practice his spirituality as well as teaching others.
Chief, a Colville Citizen/Tribal Member, encountered a transformative journey in his youth when he was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 17. Seeking spiritual guidance, he found a guiding light in Francis Cullooyah, a respected Kalispel Elder, whose mentorship catalyzed a profound change within him. Over the ensuing decades, Chief dedicated himself to serving his community, channeling his experiences into positive action. Through organizing cultural events and establishing outreach programs, Chief tirelessly worked to prevent others from following the same path he once walked. Motivated by a need to help others achieve what he may never have the chance to, he embarked on a new life centered on ethical conduct, selfless acts of service, and the discovery of his Native American heritage, unaware that one day he would be granted the opportunity to be a free man. Now, thanks to a recent legislative amendment in Washington State, Chief's narrative of incarceration will conclude with a poignant new chapter — a testament to the power of the culture and the potential for second chances.
FRANCIS CULLOOYAH - KALISPEL TRIBE
The Native Elder that helped to transform Chief's life
MEET THE FILMMAKERS
CO-DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
An Executive Producer on Native American lore horror feature The Windigo (starring Marco Fuller, Fivel Stewart, Casey Camp-Horinek), Fisher is a descendent of the Yakama Nation and attended school with Chief from 1st grade through high school. She is a member of Women In Film, International Documentary Association, Film Independent, and the owner of Untamed River Media and Productions.
MY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHIEF
My (Director) experience with Chief has been positive since the day I met him in first grade. I believed in him and knew who he was in his heart. I stood by him by speaking on his behalf at his sentencing in 1989. When we reconnected again as adults and I learned of what he had done with his time, I felt validated and proud. I was right…
CO-DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
Blake Pickens is an Emmy Award winning Chickasaw comedian and filmmaker. Blake was selected for the Time Warner Sundance Native Producing Lab and Fellowship and the Sundance Producing Fellowship for his film, THE LAND. The film premiered in 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically by IFC Films. He has produced commercials that have won a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions two years in row (2017, 2018), and won a 2018 Emmy for his P&G commercial, THE TALK. He also won an MTV VMA for his work on John Legend’s music video, SUREFIRE. His second feature film as a producer, WILD INDIAN, with Michael Greyeyes and Jesse Eisenberg premiered at Sundance 2021.
Blake Pickens is an Emmy Award winning Chickasaw comedian and filmmaker. Blake was selected for the Time Warner Sundance Native Producing Lab and Fellowship and the Sundance Producing Fellowship for his film, THE LAND. The film premiered in 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically by IFC Films. He has produced commercials that have won a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions two years in row (2017, 2018), and won a 2018 Emmy for his P&G commercial, THE TALK. He also won an MTV VMA for his work on John Legend’s music video, SUREFIRE. His second feature film as a producer, WILD INDIAN, with Michael Greyeyes and Jesse Eisenberg premiered at Sundance 2021.
Brice Fisher
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
An enrolled Siletz Tribal Citizen, Brice has worked on Kidnap with Halle Berry and Tribes of Palos Verdes with Jennifer Garner. Additional credits include Criminal Minds, The Middle, and the Goldbergs. He has produced Special Delivery and the tv series The No Life Guys.
THE ISSUE
Native culture plays a big part in the family dynamic of Indigenous people. The ongoing loss of the culture has caused Native Americans to be the most incarcerated race in the state of Washington. Throughout history the culture, Native land, and its people have been under attack. Generational trauma inflicted by the residential boarding schools had an extremely negative effect on families and the generations that came after those who survived. Shame of the culture, neglect, domestic violence, and substance abuse have led to a large number of Natives being incarcerated.
OUR MISSION
My goal is to connect everyone from this documentary to help with more volunteers, mentors, and supporters for our youth and to spread awareness of the importance of Native American spiritual healing within our prison system. We hope to premier the documentary at as many theaters, schools, and Native organizations possible. We are currently working on coordinating with organizations including the DOC, youth organizations, and re-entry programs. We are also working to show the documentary at universities and performing arts theaters in Washington and Oregon.
FUNDRAISING GOAL
$7,500
$2,500 will allow us to take one more trip to Washington to Film final elements including expert interviews.
$5,000 will allow us to create a new updated trailer and string out of our current footage to put the outline together, which will help us shape the story.
We have already raised $186,500 for this film!
Vision Maker Media Research Grant - $25,000
Vision Maker Media Production Grant - $150,000
Kalispel Tribe - $10,000
Crowdfunding and Donations - $1,500
Please help us reach the finish line and make this film a reality!
Your donation is Tax-Deductible through our Fiscal Sponsorship with the International Documentary Association, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Brenda Fisher at [email protected]