The Webby Awards is the leading International Awards organization that honors excellence on the internet, especially in digital arts and sciences. Webby nominees are picked out as one of the five best in the world in a specific category.
These include Features, General Video, Video Series and Channels, Performance and Craft, and Branded Entertainment. Did you know that the nominees and winners for Webbys are selected by a judging body of more than 3000 technology innovators and industry specialists?
Despite the rigorous screening and selection process, several Native Americans have proven their talent by securing nominations at the Webby Awards. Let’s take a look at what their projects are about.
The Reciprocity Project
The Reciprocity Project has created a cross-cultural, collaborative, non-hierarchical, global cinema movement. It embraces Indigenous value systems and uses the platform to invite learning these values. The project earned Gold in Awareness and Media and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Global Awareness Campaign categories.
International Indigenous Design Charter(IIDC)
The IIDC is a living document featuring 10 steps to help architects and designers when representing First Nation culture in their professional practice. The project won Silver in Awareness and Media and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Special Projects categories.
Native Hawaiians and the Fight for Survival
This episodic video project documents the story of Native Hawaiians and how they fight back against the sugar industry daily to stay on their lands. The project won Gold in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Awareness and Media categories.
Quannah Chasing Horse
The 2nd Annual Anthem Awards recently recognized Quannah Chasing Horse with a 2023 Anthem Special Achievement Award. She was lauded for her efforts in redefining beauty while breaking down barriers in an industry where Indigenous talent has long been overlooked.
NDN Collective and Nick Tilsen – Skoll Awardee 2022
NDN Collective empowers Indigenous power by moving capital investments to, deepening, and increasing the capacity of the Native North American communities’ political engagement. It also helps gather tools for leveraging storytelling and gaining land sovereignty to create powerful narratives of Indigenous innovation and leadership. NDN Collective has provided more than $28 million to over 600 Indigenous-led groups throughout the Indigenous world.
The Skoll Award for Social Innovation celebrates the extraordinary organizations and leaders working to create a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world for all. The project won Gold in Human and Civil Rights and Awareness and Media categories.
Native Eyes – Free Eye Care for Native American Communities
Native Eyes is a project that offers free eye care to Native American communities in serious need of eye care. The people behind this initiative design, organize, and fundraise to bring large medical teams to reservations to provide care for tribal people who would otherwise not have access to the services.
Native Eyes noticed an increasing need for adequate eye care, especially in children, and is now trying to build a permanent eye clinic on Rosebud Reservation. Their project won Bronze in Humanitarian Action and Services No-profit Campaign and Product, Innovation, or Service Categories.
Featured image courtesy of Reciprocity Project.
Last Updated on February 17, 2024 by Paul G
Cindy
says:This is a wonderfully written piece on national groups, entrepreneurs, open mindedness of new forums all run by Native Americans… Well presented…You are one of the Entrepreneurs Paul!