On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Clean Lakes Alliance and the Ho-Chunk Nation hosted an awards ceremony at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, to celebrate their video “Our Past Can Shape Our Future,” which has earned five prestigious Telly Awards.
The video highlights the history of the Yahara Watershed and the longstanding relationship between the Ho-Chunk people and the land, while also calling attention to the importance of preserving this vital resource for future generations.
The event featured remarks from James Tye, Executive Director of Clean Lakes Alliance, and Jon Greendeer, President of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
The Telly Awards, based in New York, are a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in video and television production. With nearly 13,000 entries worldwide, “Our Past Can Shape Our Future” stood out for its compelling portrayal of the Yahara Watershed, known as Teejop to the Ho-Chunk people.
This sacred area has been home to the Ho-Chunk Nation for thousands of years, and the video emphasizes the cultural connection to the land and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
The video was the result of a collaborative effort. Creative Director Sam Sorenson from Studio 88 Create led the production, with Samantha Skenandore of the Ho-Chunk Nation as an associate producer.
The narration was provided by Representative Robert Pilot of the Ho-Chunk Nation, while Adam Sodersten from Clean Lakes Alliance produced, directed, and co-wrote the project with Paul Dearlove of Clean Lakes Alliance.
James Tye served as the executive producer, with Ryan Greendeer of the Ho-Chunk Nation as associate editor and Karin Swanson of Clean Lakes Alliance as the editor.
Additional contributions came from Sarah Lemieux, Clayton Winneshiek, and Jon Greendeer of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
By blending history with a vision for the future, “Our Past Can Shape Our Future” aims to inspire viewers to take action in preserving the region’s natural resources. The video can be viewed in full on YouTube, where it continues to spread its message of cultural reverence and environmental responsibility.