NOISE Report - March 11

The Omaha Film Festival 2019 premiered Umonhon Iye: The Omaha Speaking a film documenting the history, culture, and language of the Umonhon, also known as the Omaha Nation.

Director Brigitte Timmerman was contacted by a tribal member and one of the last 25 fluent Omaha speakers, to interview elders and help preserve and revive the dying language.

Cast member and Professor Taylor Keen of the Omaha tribe, expressed his gratitude:

Film is powerful and this has been just a real testament to non-natives being respectful our culture.

“I think most people in Omaha don’t know that it's named after our tribe or what it means or that the state that they live in, Nibthaska, is our word for the Platte River. And sadly no where in the city of Omaha is there any homage to the Omaha people.”

The Omaha Speaking will have a free showing at UNO later this year. Follow theomahaspeaking.com for the trailer and future dates.

Cali Commons is asking the community to take control of their space.

The brick building situated at 40th and California streets has been the spot for artists, creatives, and dynamic thinkers for developing ideas.

Willie Miller Sr., a local writer and artist, offered to develop slam-poetry sessions at Cali Commons.

Miller attended a Sunday steering meeting where organizers introduced the community collaborative concept.

“Without collaboration the community cannot grow. With all the kids growing up in the community we need to be able to have those kids grow into a community of involvement instead of a community of isolation.”

Community collaboration invites Omahans to take charge of the decision-making process.

Join founders Luke and Molly Armstrong on Thursday, March 14 and beyond, to determine the future use and operations of Cali Commons.