Tag: South Dakota

Categories
North America

Crazy Horse Prediction Coming True at Pine Ridge

Mother Nature got you down? Yeah, she seems kind of angry.

Well, here is something uplifting. In 2016 we visited the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota, located in the poorest county in the USA where the avg. male life expectancy is 48. Let that sink in.

The famous Oglala Lakota Sioux Chief Crazy Horse predicted that the 7th generation would lead a resurgent comeback for his people. They are here and It is now happening with Lakota youth at the Red Cloud School (where 95% of graduates are accepted into college) leading the way.

Here is a link to a short, but inspiring photo essay. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/08/a-reservation-restored/535656/#disqus_thread

Categories
Public Relations

RAW TRAVEL’S “TRIBAL TOURISM” SHOWCASES BEAUTY & HOPE OF PINE RIDGE

RawTravelPineRidgeSlide

 –  Nation’s Poorest Reservation Gets a Helping Hand from Nation’s Most Watched Travel Show – 

 NEW YORK, NY:  November 18th, 2015 – AIM Tell-A-Vision® Group (AIM TV) announced today that its syndicated television series Raw Travel® will debut “Pine Ridge – Tribal Tourism” this weekend November 21 & 22, 2015 to kick off the Holiday Season of thanks and giving.

The Oglala Lakota Sioux Indian reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota is one of if not the poorest area in the entire United States. On the reservation it is reported that:

  • Average annual per capita income is estimated at just $4,000 annually.
  • Unemployment is over 80% and it’s estimated that over half live below the poverty line.
  • Teen (and even pre-teen) suicide is estimated to be four times the national rate.
  • They have the second lowest life expectancy in the Western Hemisphere (second only to Haiti).
  • Diabetes is eight times (and infant mortality three times) the U.S. rate.
  • There is a massive housing crisis with multiple families often crammed into small mobile homes, many without running water or adequate sewage.

However, thanks to a distinctive culture that incorporates ancient traditions and language, Pine Ridge is an emerging destination for travelers interested in “Tribal Tourism.” This is helping Pine Ridge residents hang on to their culture while creating a much needed economic boost. Raw Travel is raising awareness by highlighting an inspiring blend of locals, transplants, travelers and volunteers who are working hard to improve conditions. The show aspires to cultivate tourism on Pine Ride while celebrating its heritage.

The episode was intentionally filmed over the U.S. Independence Day Holiday Weekend (July 4th) and incorporated local talent (camera, crew and artists) to produce the episode.

“Raw Travel Pine Ridge is not poverty porn. We focus on people who impact lives daily. With the heartbreaking and rampant suicide rates, Native American youth in particular need our help. In addition to the basics, most don’t have access to pastimes like after school programs, movie theaters or even a swimming pool,” states Executive Producer, Robert Rose. “It’s unacceptable to me that this situation exists anywhere, but especially in the most powerful economy in the world. The people of Pine Ridge are resilient and hospitable in the face of adversity few of us can comprehend. I hope this episode will not only raise awareness, but also motivate others to donate, volunteer or travel to the reservation.”

The producers have created a micro website www.RawTravelPineRidge.com as a resource for people who wish to learn more with additional video content, links to help and travel tips. They are using crowdfunding to raise funds via www.CrowdRise.com/RawTravel and by selling limited edition “Still Here… Still Proud” T-shirts designed by young Pine Ridge graphic designer, Jimi La Pointe.

Raw Travel is also donating money raised through the sale of an upcoming special DVD release and pay-per-view fundraising screenings of the international-cut version of the episode. Funds raised will be allocated for after school programs in cooperation with the Red Cloud School featured in the episode.

Pine Ridge Still Here.. Still Proud TShirt

# # #

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Raw Travel’s Pine Ridge initiative was assisted by Jim Clements (Artwork), Manhattan Screen Prints (T-Shirts), Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Root Films, Red Cloud School & Heritage Center, Re-Member, Batesland Pow-Wow, Wakpamni Bed & Breakfast, Prairie Wind Casino, KEVN-TV Black Hills Fox 7 (Rapid City, South Dakota), Sequoia Crosswhite (music), Scatter Their Own (music), Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates, Daphne Richards-Cook and many more.

ABOUT RAW TRAVEL

Raw Travel is an authentic, adventure travel and lifestyle television series currently in its 3rd season and airs in over 140 U.S. Cities (91% of the U.S.). It is broadcast in syndication on local affiliates (Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, My, etc.) as well as on a variety of outlets internationally in Asia, Europe, Africa and more.  Raw Travel showcases the rapidly growing wave of socially and environmentally aware independent travel. The series weaves together themes of ecotourism, voluntourism (giving back) with underground music and authentic culture in a way unique to U.S. television. More information can be found at www.RawTravel.tv and viewers can visit www.RawTravel.tv/wheretowatch for a complete listing of cities, affiliates and time slots in the U.S.

ABOUT AIM TELL-A-VISION GROUP

AIM TV is an independent content, production and distribution company founded by media executive and entrepreneur Robert G. Rose. AIM TV aspires to produce and distribute positive, compelling content that reflects its mission of presenting Media That Matters. Visit www.AIMTVGroup.com for more information.

 Rt308 RawTravelPineRidgeBanner2

 

Categories
North America

Pine Ridge Reservation – Tribal Tourism

I first heard about the situation in Pine Ridge reservation a few years ago while watching Diane Sawyer profiling the tragic issue of teen suicide there. I pledged then and there that if ever I was able to help the people on the reservation, I would. Finally, during the 4th of July holiday weekend of 2015, I visited Pine Ridge to produce an episode of Raw Travel entitled “Pine Ridge – Tribal Tourism” and my life has never been the same.

This Recently Built Skateboard Park Gets Lots of Use
This Recently Built Skateboard Park Gets Lots of Use

Nothing that specifically extraordinary happened to me on that trip. I simply met regular folks from the reservation who were kind and hospitable to me, a total stranger. But I was very impressed by their resiliency in the face of difficult circumstances.

I was equally impressed by the large number of locals, transplants and volunteers working to help make the situation on Pine Ridge better, especially for Lakota Youth.  I can think of no better way to inspire young people to believe in themselves than to allow them to explore the innate creativity present in all human beings.

Celebrating 4th of July at the Batesland Pow-Wow
Celebrating 4th of July at the Batesland Pow-Wow

I was made aware of the lack of creative outlets by youth on the reservation when I interviewed the local band “Scatter Their Own” where Scotti & Julianna informed me that no music schools existed on the entire reservation. After interviewing the folks at Red Cloud School I thought a good way to help would be to assist their efforts to expand their after school arts program.

I hope we can work with some talented musicians, filmmakers and other artists and entrepreneurs to visit the reservation and speak to the youth on a consistent basis. I’d also like to try to create a small film school. Who knows where, if anywhere this will lead but I do know that to do nothing, is in essence choosing to endorse the status quo, and that I cannot do. Whatever we can contribute, big or small it will help.

Pine Ridge Still Here.. Still Proud TShirt
“Still Here.. Still Proud” Shirts

Even though this fundraising effort kicks off to coordinate with our Raw Travel – Pine Ridge / Tribal Tourism debut, it will be an ongoing effort and will continue as long as there is interest in helping Pine Ridge help themselves. For me this already is an ongoing cause I’ve pretty much resigned to be dedicated to until either things improve drastically or I die, whichever comes first.

With your help, they I’m confident they can and will get better. For more information on Raw Travel – Pine Ridge and to donate please go to www.crowdrise.com/rawtravel or for other ways you may choose to help then click the “How To Help” link at www.RawTravelPineRidge.com which will be updated as time goes on.

CrowdRiseCover

Thank you for not standing by while good people needlessly suffer.

 

 

Categories
North America Public Relations

“RAW TRAVEL” PREPS THIRD SEASON PRODUCTION WITH WESTERN U.S. ROAD TRIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

AIM Tell-A-Vision Group / Rawtravel@aimtvgroup.com

www.RawTravel.tv

 “RAW TRAVEL” PREPS THIRD SEASON PRODUCTION WITH WESTERN U.S. ROAD TRIP

–  New Episodes to Showcase New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming & the Dakotas-

 NEW YORK, NY: May 27th, 2015 – AIM Tell-A-Vision® Group (AIM TV) announced today that Raw Travel®, the nation’s most watched authentic travel series, is a “firm go” for Season 3 and is kicking its production off in June with the “Great North American Road Trip – Western Frontier”.

The indie produced, adventure travel series is currently in its 2nd season. It has experienced +46% year-to-year audience growth and surpassed viewership of much bigger budgeted, cable network prime time travel shows to become the nation’s most watched authentic travel show on commercial TV.

For Season 3, the adventure travel series promises its most diverse season yet with far flung destinations on the menu such as Western Africa, French Polynesia, Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. Raw Travel will first kick off its 3rd Season production in June with a unique look at the great U.S. western frontier as the crew embarks on a month long road trip through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

In its trademark style, the show plans to showcase adventure travel to these destinations in a way never before seen on U.S. television. The show will dig deep into indigenous roots found in the western United States while seeking out underground sub cultures and socially conscious living and travel angles.

“Season 2 episodes in Eastern Europe & Southeast Asia were wild and wooly and helped push Raw Travel to become the most watched travel series on U.S. television, but our U.S. destinations of Nashville, New York City and New Orleans were even more popular,” states Host & Executive Producer Robert Rose. “We’ll begin in New Mexico and then, in a truly bold move, we’ll explore other U.S. destinations that don’t actually begin with the letter ‘N’ as we road trip for a month through some of the U.S.’s most storied locations and beautiful landscapes,” Rose continues.

The show also hopes to continue to discover and showcase emerging, independent musicians while highlighting unique volun-tourism opportunities featured in its weekly “Give Back” segment.

# # #

ABOUT RAW TRAVEL

Raw Travel is an adventure travel & lifestyle series showcasing the rapidly growing wave of socially and environmentally aware independent travel. The series weaves together themes of eco-tourism, volun-tourism (giving back) with underground music and authentic culture in a way unique to television.

Raw Travel can currently be seen in over 116 U.S. cities representing over 85% of the United States and in a variety of international territories such as Asia, Belgium, Italy, Romania, Russia and Africa. Viewers may visit www.RawTravel.tv/wheretowatch for a listing of U.S. affiliates and time slots. More information at http://www.RawTravel.tv  Facebook.com/RawTraveltv and @rawtraveltv for twitter.

ABOUT AIM TELL-A-VISION GROUP

AIM TV is an independent content, production and distribution company founded by media executive and entrepreneur Robert G. Rose. AIM TV aspires to produce and distribute positive, compelling content that reflects its mission of presenting Media That Matters. Visit www.AIMTVGroup.com and www.RawTravel.tv for more information.