LINCOLN, Neb. (Nov. 26, 2018) – “Dawnland,” the untold story of Indigenous child removal in the United States, will be screened at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6 in the Auditorium of the Nebraska Union at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1400 R St.
The free event is presented by NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, in partnership with UNL. A popcorn bar will be available during the film, and a panel discussion will follow.
“Dawnland” tells the story of the first government-sanctioned truth and reconciliation commission in the U.S., investigating the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on Native American communities.
For most of the 20th century, government agents systematically forced Native American children from their homes and placed them with white families. As recently as the 1970s, one in four Native children nationwide were living in non-Native foster care, adoptive homes or boarding schools.
Many children experienced shattering emotional and physical harm by adults who mistreated them and tried to erase their cultural identity. Now, for the first time, they are being asked to share their stories.
By exploring what happened in Maine, the film also provides the opportunity to raise awareness about this nationwide issue, which continues to impact families and children.
“Dawnland” is the first film to be screened in Lincoln as part of NET’s 2018-2019 Indie Lens Pop-Up screening and discussion series. For a complete Indie Lens Pop-Up schedule, visit netNebraska.org/engage.
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CONTACT: Sandi Karstens, 402-470-6578, skarstens@netNebraska.org
NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, is the statewide public media service dedicated to creating opportunities for Nebraskans to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. NET serves each of Nebraska’s 93 counties with 52,560 hours of programming each year on four television and two radio channels, plus online and mobile content. In addition to providing free, high-quality educational programming for children, NET provides programming in the arts, award-winning news and current affairs information and emergency alert services. For more information about NET, visit netNebraska.org.