Free Leonard Peltier x Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
- Thu, Sep 3
Run Time: 150 min.
TICKETS FREE.
Doors 6:30 p.m.; Event 7 p.m.
Select Showtime to Purchase Tickets
Click here to learn more about accessibility at the Tomorrow Theater.
This event is free as part of PAM’s Free First Thursday, thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
THE EXPERIENCE
Join us for a sneak peek of Free Leonard Peltier, followed by a discussion hosted by Native Arts + Cultures Foundation. Panelists include Chauncey Peltier, the oldest son of Leonard Peltier; Holly Cook Macarro, Tribal Advocate & Political Strategist; and Jhane Myers, Producer of Free Leonard Peltier. The conversation will be moderated by Shyla Spicer, President and CEO of Native Arts + Cultures Foundation.
ON SCREEN: Free Leonard Peltier
2025. Directed by Jesse Short Bull and David France. Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes.
Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, was in prison for nearly 50 years following a contentious conviction, and he remains on indefinite house arrest following the commutation of his sentence and his release from prison in February 2025, just one week before the release of this documentary. A new generation of Native activists is committed to winning his full freedom before he dies.
ONSTAGE:
Chauncey Peltier
Turtle Mountain Chippewa, Fort Totten Sioux | He/his
Chauncey Peltier is the oldest son of Leonard Peltier. During the Obama administration, Chauncey advocated for clemency for his dad in his roles as Co-Founder of the Indigenous Rights Center, Co-Director of ILPDC and Director of Peltier Art. Chauncey is now retired, lives in Portland, OR and is grateful for the time he is getting to spend with his father.
Holly Cook Macarro
Red Lake Band of Ojibwe | She/her | Spirit Rock Consulting LLC
As a Principal at The Angle, Holly Cook Macarro leverages more than 20 years of experience in Tribal advocacy and public policy to provide strategic guidance, government relations, and communications support to Native American clients and partners. She has a proven track record of leading successful legislative and issue campaigns, building coalitions, and influencing policy outcomes at the federal level. Holly’s mission is to amplify the voices, stories, and issues of Native peoples while advancing justice, equity, and self-determination for Tribal communities. She is also passionate about increasing Native representation and leadership in politics, media, and public service.
Holly serves on the boards of directors and advisory boards of several Native-focused organizations, including ICT, Native Forward Scholars Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation. She is a frequent multimedia political contributor and commentator on Native American affairs and a recognized expert in federal Indian policy.
Jhane Myers
Comanche and Blackfeet Nations | She/her
Jhane Myers is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Producer Guild of America nominee (2023) for the six-time Primetime Emmy-nominated and winning Prey (20th Century/Disney), and Sundance Alumni, recognized for her passion and dedication to films surrounding preserving the legacies of Native language, human rights, and communities. Myers is a Gotham-Cannes 2024 producer fellow and is the producer of Free Leonard Peltier, a documentary on the longest-serving U.S. political prisoner and Native American activist Leonard Peltier (Public Square Films).
Shyla Spicer, Moderator
Yakama | She/her | President/CEO, Native Arts + Cultures Foundation
Shyla, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, grew up in Portland, Oregon, and returns to her hometown to take on this pivotal role. With over 15 years of dynamic leadership experience in building thriving organizations and fostering high-performing teams, Shyla brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise to NACF.
HOSTED BY: Native Arts + Cultures Foundation
The Native Arts + Cultures Foundation advances equity and cultural knowledge, focusing on the power of arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States.
