Post by Okwes on Oct 26, 2006 13:50:18 GMT -5
20th Century Fox, Yakama Tribe Promote Flicka Movie
by: The Associated Press
October 2006 Article # 7923
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In an innovative promotion, 20th Century Fox and the Yakama Indian Nation have joined forces to promote the new family film "Flicka" while creating a chance for people to adopt a wild horse from the tribe.
The film tells the story of a Wyoming teenager who heals a wounded family relationship by adopting, then bonding with, a wild mustang.
The story is of particular significance for the Yakama Nation, which manages and protects some 5,000 wild horses on its central Washington reservation. Historically, the tribe has limited horse adoptions to tribal members.
But the overpopulated herd is disrupting the ecosystem, stamping out medicinal plants and food for deer and other animals. The Yakama Nation tribal council deliberated a proposal to join forces with the moviemaker for a week, then agreed.
In conjunction with the opening of "Flicka" on Friday, the horse herd will be open to adoption by non-Indians. There is no way of gauging how many people that may be.
"If even only one adoption happens, or even if it just increases the awareness of the herd and the Yakama Nation's efforts, that'll be enough for me," said Janet Wainwright, a Northwest publicist for 20th Century Fox. Wainwright contacted radio stations in Yakima, Seattle and Portland to publicize the adoptions.
Country music superstar Tim McGraw, who co-stars in the film, also is doing radio promotions for the adoptions on three country stations in Washington and Oregon.
The horses are not tame, though some can be trained with time and patience, said Arlen Washines, the tribe's wildlife manager. The tribe can provide some training for fees ranging from $500 to $800. People who want to adopt can fill out an application and pay a fee of about $100, depending on the horse.
The tribe then will check homes to see if there are adequate resources for the horse, such as fencing, land and water.
"We don't want to get rid of the horses," Washines said. "But the horses need help."
The movie has its critics. According to the American Humane Association Web site, one horse died in an accident during filming. The report has resulted in thousands of people denouncing the movie on Web sites such as MySpace.com.
The promotion, however, has generated good feelings with everyone involved.
Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler said she's proud of the "Flicka" campaign, "especially as it pertains to the awareness of the importance of wild horses. Working with the Yakama in support of this idea makes it even more special."
Washines said he believes the Yakamas' tie to the movie's strong horse-conservation theme will not just find homes for needy mustangs but "help to re-establish the significance of our horse culture back to our tribal members."
Hollywood has an amazing power to influence people's lives, and too often that power is misused, Wainwright said.
"But when you can use it as a vehicle to educate people and do something positive for the Earth, it sure makes my job worthwhile," she said.
by: The Associated Press
October 2006 Article # 7923
Article Tools
In an innovative promotion, 20th Century Fox and the Yakama Indian Nation have joined forces to promote the new family film "Flicka" while creating a chance for people to adopt a wild horse from the tribe.
The film tells the story of a Wyoming teenager who heals a wounded family relationship by adopting, then bonding with, a wild mustang.
The story is of particular significance for the Yakama Nation, which manages and protects some 5,000 wild horses on its central Washington reservation. Historically, the tribe has limited horse adoptions to tribal members.
But the overpopulated herd is disrupting the ecosystem, stamping out medicinal plants and food for deer and other animals. The Yakama Nation tribal council deliberated a proposal to join forces with the moviemaker for a week, then agreed.
In conjunction with the opening of "Flicka" on Friday, the horse herd will be open to adoption by non-Indians. There is no way of gauging how many people that may be.
"If even only one adoption happens, or even if it just increases the awareness of the herd and the Yakama Nation's efforts, that'll be enough for me," said Janet Wainwright, a Northwest publicist for 20th Century Fox. Wainwright contacted radio stations in Yakima, Seattle and Portland to publicize the adoptions.
Country music superstar Tim McGraw, who co-stars in the film, also is doing radio promotions for the adoptions on three country stations in Washington and Oregon.
The horses are not tame, though some can be trained with time and patience, said Arlen Washines, the tribe's wildlife manager. The tribe can provide some training for fees ranging from $500 to $800. People who want to adopt can fill out an application and pay a fee of about $100, depending on the horse.
The tribe then will check homes to see if there are adequate resources for the horse, such as fencing, land and water.
"We don't want to get rid of the horses," Washines said. "But the horses need help."
The movie has its critics. According to the American Humane Association Web site, one horse died in an accident during filming. The report has resulted in thousands of people denouncing the movie on Web sites such as MySpace.com.
The promotion, however, has generated good feelings with everyone involved.
Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler said she's proud of the "Flicka" campaign, "especially as it pertains to the awareness of the importance of wild horses. Working with the Yakama in support of this idea makes it even more special."
Washines said he believes the Yakamas' tie to the movie's strong horse-conservation theme will not just find homes for needy mustangs but "help to re-establish the significance of our horse culture back to our tribal members."
Hollywood has an amazing power to influence people's lives, and too often that power is misused, Wainwright said.
"But when you can use it as a vehicle to educate people and do something positive for the Earth, it sure makes my job worthwhile," she said.