Last night’s opening night screening of Reel Injun was an exceptional event to kick-off the 10th Annual Native Cinema Showcase. As Jason Silverman, director of Cinematheque at the Center for Contemporary Arts, pointed out in his opening night speech, “this film could be our (NCS) patron film as it explores the exact issues of our focus.” The film was preceded by White Fawn’s Devotion, the earliest surviving film by a native director.

When watching this documentary one feels like a time traveler glimpsing into the decades of the 20th Century with brief flashes of the present-day results of the historic events. The insight of the film is perfectly paired with humor and emotion to make the experience a true adventure through time.

Following the screening, a very enthralled audience was given the opportunity to get into the minds of the filmmakers and participants. Neil Diamond (director), Ernie Webb (co-director), and Chris Eyre (interviewee) shared personal stories of the making of the film, their inspiration as Native filmmakers, and the childhood experiences that illustrated the effects of the “Hollywood Injun”, chronicled in the film, on these three men.

Anyone who missed the amazing event should catch the rescreening on Saturday 3:00PM at the Cinematheque. Another NCS featured film directed by Diamond and Webb, The Last Explorer, is screening on Saturday at 12:45PM at the Cinema at the Cathedral, and is sure to be another example of the true artistry of these individuals.

Presentation should not be thrown out the window because the Internet seems somehow less formal or impersonal to some.

While recently reviewing employment inquires sent to my email, I was greatly disappointed to find applicants attaching professional resumes’ to poorly drafted emails, and sending from inappropriate email accounts.

Let me clarify:

• Emails are not text messages or informal notes to a friend. A professional email should resemble a formal letter and, as such, include a heading, inside address, greeting, body, complimentary close, and a signature. A standard email contains a subject and recipient entry field, which act as the heading and inside address.

• The writer of the email is responsible for including a greeting, body, complimentary close, and signature.

• The greeting and closing should be appropriate for the sender, recipient, and subject of the email. Do not greet with “Hey” or “Hi,” or close with “Laterz” (I actually read this closing to an email).

• All portions of a formal letter, and thus an email, should be mechanically correct: proper spelling, grammar and punctuation, and clear and concise language (don’t *&$^*#% ramble).

• Any written documents, including formal letters and emails, should be drafted, reviewed, and edited at least once, but additional edits should be completed as needed.

• Many email editors allow users to create a standard signature. Whether a standard signature or entered signature is used, this part of a formal letter should include all relevant and current contact information, including First and Last Name, phone number, and email address. Additionally, after drafting a complete professional email do not send from hotmama69@… or all of your hard work and attention to detail will immediately become irrelevant. If you must, create an email account that includes all or part of your name such as JohnD@… or JDoe@… These account names are not particularly creative or individual, but these characteristics should be portrayed in a cover letter, resume, or personal interaction, and not in an email account.

Please put this advice to use and improve your professionalism online today!

Genevieve Gonzales

hottmamafosho@1680PR.com