A Team that Brings Native Documentaries to Life
The Native Lens team is made up of filmmakers, producers, editors and curators who have been working in Native documentary and narrative film for years. They’re committed to helping to tell the stories of Indigenous peoples around the Four Corners area of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona and across the continent. Get to know the people behind Native Lens.
Colleen Thurston
Project Producer
Colleen Thurston is a documentary filmmaker, educator and programmer from...
Kree Lopez
Editor and Community Liaison
Kree Lopez is an enrolled member of the Southern Ute...
Colten Ashley
Tribal Media Center Coordinator for KSUT Public Radio
Colten is a Diné filmmaker from the Four Corners and...
Crystal Ashike
Digital Content Editor and Digital Media Specialist for Native Lens and KSUT Tribal Radio
Crystal is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and...
Carol Fleischer
Project Consultant, Executive Director Durango Independent Film Festival
Carol has spent the last forty-five years making documentaries for...
Tami Graham
Project Consultant, Executive Director KSUT Public Media
In her role at KSUT, Tami successfully raised over $2.5...
Alex Forsett
Project Consultant, Director of Statewide Experience and University Partnerships, Rocky Mountain Public Media
Alex Forsett is 3rd-generation Coloradan, Advisory Board Member of the...
Kate Perdoni
Project Consultant
Kate Perdoni is an award-winning arts and regional leader and...
Sheila Nanaeto
Creative and Cultural Consultant
Sheila is a Southern Ute Tribal member from Ignacio, CO...
Tanaya Winder
Engagement and Cultural Consultant
Tanaya Winder is a poet, vocalist, writer, educator, and motivational...
Partners
Native Lens emerged from a partnership between KSUT Tribal Radio and Rocky Mountain PBS, who continue to feature Native Lens content on their platforms.
Rocky Mountain PBS
Rocky Mountain PBS (RMPBS) vision is that of a Colorado where everyone feels seen and heard. RMPBS deepens perspectives to expand empathy and understanding. RMPBS is a member of Rocky Mountain Public Media; Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported, multimedia organization. Native Lens stories reach a wide audience through RMPS’ YouTube Page and social media sites.
KSUT Tribal Radio
KSUT Tribal Radio broadcasts a variety of programming, including news, cultural affairs, community events, and Native American music from the land of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. KSUT is an NPR affiliate station. Native Lens is headquartered out of the KSUT Tribal Media Center in Ignacio, Colorado.
Sponsors
The Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation believes health is a basic human right. We know that stories can help illustrate the far-reaching impact of health disparities, and storytelling can play a unique role in advancing conversations about health equity.Learn more at coloradohealth.org.
Fort Lewis College
Because of its unique origins as a military fort turned Indian boarding school turned state public school, Fort Lewis College and the State of Colorado provide a tuition waiver for qualified Native American students. Over 170 Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages are represented among FLC’s Indigenous students. The Native Lens Media Fellowship utilizes space and resources provided by Fort Lewis College.