#GiaFisher – OFFICIAL BLOG

May 26, 2021

Sacajawea, The Windcatcher focuses on Native American filmmakers

Jhane Myers
Producer, Actor
Indigenous Advisor

This journey we travel is, without a doubt, the most amazing yet cantankerous trail we’ve ever experienced. It is a mixture of harsh reality in a literal world and a spirituality that truly blows us away at every turn. We are honored to be a part of this mosaic – and feel we are just a piece of the puzzle that once put together, will be so flowing with wisdom and power that each of us who touch this woman’s life, will never be the same.

One of the motivations of this project is the commitment to get it right. To bring to life native culture and characters, authentic words and actions that depict the indigenous people of that time period in the most believable and accurate way. And, more importantly, to beautifully present the “person” of Sacajawea so we deeply connect to who she was, how she lived, and what she felt — yes, a human being we all will want to love and remember.

Susan Funk,
Co-producer
Indigenous Advisor

The most vital and inspiring purpose of this Sacajawea project is to lift up and honor the proud heritage that flows through the blood of Native people. And, to recognize it by selecting Native Americans to be a part of the production team in key positions, including producers, actors and crew. The opportunities are astounding for Native film professionals, not just through the feature film, Sacajawea, The Windcatcher, but also the other productions associated with the film.

Through this project and our invaluable Vision Quest Film Internship program, we intend to give inspiration to the next generation of magic makers. We encourage native women to get involved in their dreams, especially if their dreams are in film. In addition, young men will have the opportunity to explore aspects of the movie industry and further their careers.

Leo Ariwite
Associate Producer
Indigenous Advisor

With Sacajawea as our focal point, we respect and honor women of Native cultures who are considered givers-of-life, healers, visionaries, and they are the vessels that carry history forward so the stories are told. Sacajawea, a Warrior Woman, certainly fits this description, for her contributions were many as a mother and a friend; interpreter and a guide. Her hands and handiwork are woven perfectly into the fabric of life even today, and we are eager to bring this mentor and role model to the spotlight for all to know!

Blessings,
Jane

October 3, 2020September 11, 2021

Darkness Reveals Light

Darkness revealing light is what Sacajawea’s life shows us… She was a Native American woman from 1805. She was a stolen child, an orphan, a slave – abused and forced in so many ways.

Sacajawea had no voice and she saw hardship throughout her young days. She was sometimes sick and mostly sad, and her husband tried at every turn to control her fate based on his own selfish Will.

Throughout Sacajawea, The Windcatcher, we sense that this young woman’s greater self is at work. Yes, she uses her knowledge of tradition, ceremony and Mother Earth to be an important and valuable member of the expedition. But, we also sense something deeper – she claims a great wisdom in her spirit, even before she knows it. She walks this dark, harrowing quest, until she awakens to the sun and finds it is her own brilliant light.

We are going through the darkness right now in our own lives. But, it is different than usual, because we are all, collectively, walking together with the same pain, sadness, worry and fear with COVID-19… It is a wonder how we can be so at odds, when we could choose to awaken and love each other, no matter what. If we claimed our wisdom, we would find a light to guide us out of this place together.

History tells us, life was not easy or perfect for Sacajawea. And, though she may not have understood it in words, her Elders had taught her from a young age about the darkness and the light on EVERY path. It didn’t matter what was happening around her, she came to believe she was walking where she was called to go. I wonder if she ever imagined that her illuminating light would be seen for generations – that her spirit would be felt, for all time!

Through the darkest spaces, Sacajawea continues to see the sun…and so can we. Come with us, let us walk toward that sun, let us learn through our darkest times that we are all One, and we can get through this together. Let us become aware of our own magnificent and transparent Light. ~ Spirit Wind

April 3, 2020April 3, 2020

Choices have Power

Through this time of hardship, we just have to trust that Light is at work. The choices we make NOW will affect everything that is to come. Yes, we have that much power. Please read our newest Warrior Woman blog, Our Choices Affect All. Sacajawea’s life gives us a “Story from the Ages.”

“As we endure the difficult times we face on
this earth right now with the Coronavirus,
it is even more important we understand
that individual choices affect us all, with
life and death impact.”

CLICK the photo to read our blog:

Our Choices Affect All

#StayHome #ShelterinPlace #LoveOthers #Covid19 #Coronavirus #BeSafe #BeWell

January 20, 2020November 18, 2020

Caring Heart of a Warrior

Scene Description from Sacajawea, The Windcatcher:
Just as the explorers reach the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, they are awed by a massive flock of sandhill cranes thundering through the clouds. Captain Clark takes aim from his canoe, shooting a huge crane from the sky. Seaman, Lewis’ black Newfoundland, jumps from the boat to retrieve the bird.

Within moments, screaming and wailing rise from an abandoned village nearby. The men on shore run toward the huts where a group of Snake women and children huddle together – they are terrified that the bird was killed in flight by a loud, unfamiliar blast. They believe the white men will kill them, too.

The captains call Sacajawea to come, and without pause, she enters the hut. She speaks to the women and children with care in her Shoshoni language, which is close to the Snake words, and everyone is calmed…

There are so many examples of Sacajawea’s depth-of-character depicted in the screenplay, Sacajawea, The Windcatcher. She never allowed a judgment of color, creed or religion to keep her true heart from being free as she walked the expedition. This scene with the frightened women and children in the abandoned village shows us her true spirit.

sketch WOMEN — Otter Woman and Sacajawea – Concept Artwork by Marcia K. Moore

At this point, the explorers had already encountered many people and dangers along the way. They had seen her caring warrior spirit multiple times and the soldiers had built great respect for Sacajawea. This scene shows how they counted on the peacemaker she embodied. Indeed, she was a bridge for them in their time, and her spiritual story is a bridge for us, in ours. We, as One People, are awakening to hear.

ONWARD!
Spirit Wind

#warriorwomanspirit

May 31, 2019November 18, 2020

The Wonders of Spirit, the Wonders of Life

Scene Description from Sacajawea, The Windcatcher:
It’s January 1806 — the explorers will soon leave the Great Northwest. But, they must make one last trek to the beach where a massive whale has washed ashore, hoping to retrieve blubber for fuel. The night before, Sacajawea is adamant she must be allowed to finally see the ocean after coming so far on the journey. She proclaims with passion, “It would be too hard not to see the Great Water and now the big fish…” Captain Clark agrees. As they traverse the 1000 foot high Tillamook Head, a massive basalt lava flow connecting one beach to the other, the girl is awed with Creator’s wonders. Though she does not know just how important this very trail is to her total Being…

As history records, Tillamook Head is a massive volcanic lava flow that traveled down the Columbia River 15 million years ago. It came to rest along a beach of the Great Water, south of the mouth of the river.

Williams Clark’s journal tells us that Sacajawea hiked with him and a small group of explorers over this high rock to Cannon Beach, where the “Big Fish” washed ashore.

In the screenplay, as Sacajawea reaches the top of this 1000 foot high trek, she stands in awe of the infinite beauty. It is here she remembers the wisdom from her uncle (brother), “Boinair, your spirit is not bound, it is free.”

windcatcher — Near Tillamook Head and Cannon Beach, Oregon

While researching Tillamook Head, the most amazing revelation captured us and affirmed Creator’s Spirit in all things for Sacajawea… spiritually and historically, without time or space. For what we learned was the basaltic lava flow that traveled down the Columbia millions of years ago, came to the same spot where Sacajawea was to be in 1806.

The absolute miracle is that this lava originated in Idaho, Sacajawea’s home! As she carried out her ultimate purpose to pray at the Great Water, spirit surrounded her with an energy source that touched her very core – it was the energy from her People and home, right under her feet, that flowed through the basalt rock she traversed.

Though Sacajawea did not know the geology, she did recognize the power, because she was taught to listen to her intuition and use the energy that was drawn around her life through the Infinite Wonders of Spirit.

ONWARD!
Spirit Wind

~ Descriptions and content from Sacajawea, The Windcatcher, are protected under a copyright from the U.S. Copyright Office and the Writer’s Guild of America/west.

May 5, 2019November 18, 2020

Red Dress Day – Let us Never Forget!

When Sacajawea was just 12 years old she was kidnapped from her family. She experienced abuse at a young age, as a slave – and then, she was forced to become the “woman” of an old French fur trader. Sacajawea had his son when she was 16! What are the chances we would remember a little Shoshoni girl today? How has she infiltrated our world and shown her Spirit in so many ways for generations?

Sacajawea’s time is NOW – and her story is for all people of the earth. Her spirit is strong, her energy ignites us for a cause, her destiny will be fulfilled when her story is told. She comes like the wind and nothing will ever be the same.

On this Red Dress Day, we remember all the Indigenous women who have gone missing or murdered. Let us wear red in their memory, and in the memory of Sacajawea. It is her “LIFE” we honor today and all the women of the world.

ONWARD, we Believe!

Jane

April 16, 2019September 14, 2021

The Mystery!

Good morning! I am so blessed with wonder at the way love works and how its energy is unstoppable. There are many things we don’t understand in life, we get so caught up in our literal walk that, at times, we miss the mystery. There was a day in February, that was a powerful reminder of how Spirit works, and how, if we are watching and expecting the miracle, we realize it is already there for us.

The forecast was a major snowstorm, up and down the western coast from California to Canada. But, everything was in place for shooting the teaser reel for “Sacajawea, The Windcatcher.” (So much goes into arranging and setting up a shoot, even for a 2-minute teaser. From insurance to actors, to locations to crew – it is an enormous feat.) Yet, the forecast for the next day was the worst winter storm of the season. What to do?

That evening, as we looked out to the Great Water, we saw a cloud formation of a woman in a hooded coat reaching her hands across the sky, and on the opposing side, we saw another ethereal figure reaching back. We remembered, at that moment, even if we weren’t sure in our minds, to look for the miracle, and we saw the message… “Do not give up!”

We gathered at the beach the next morning. It was cold and windy, but not snowing yet! We didn’t know what was ahead. In Faith, we had to choose to BELIEVE and keep going. Which is exactly what we did…

And, later, what we learned was that the snowstorm hit the entire coastline, except for one hole in the clouds right over Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon, our location. That is the power, the energy, the vibration, the light and the dark that has always been at work with this Sacajawea project – and that is what drives us to our dream.

The message – A shell, smoothed and softened by the ocean waves and sand… As life, we are all formed into a beautiful work of art – indeed, it is her journey, and ours.

Watch the Sacajawea teaser reel: https://youtu.be/ucrHtcS5eDw

If you want more information about the Sacajawea project, please contact us HERE. Thank you!

ONWARD!
Jane

20190401_104235

SACAJAWEA, The Windcatcher – a Feature Film Production

February 25, 2019November 18, 2020

We learn from her journey

What is she thinking So much in our “every day” is already defined for us, how we should or shouldn’t dress, what music we should or shouldn’t listen to, how we should or shouldn’t feel, what we should or shouldn’t believe… It was no different in Sacajawea’s time. There were people coming from other lands who had their own set of rules. There were trappers and soldiers motivated by commerce for trade and exploitation. There were people stealing from others and families torn apart by selfishness and greed.

But, Sacajawea knew from her Shoshoni teachings, there was more to understand than what was obvious in the world. She prepared for a love that was not to be, and she rose to her deepest self when she became a mother, even though she was still a child.

Please support this enormous effort to tell the important and true story of Sacajawea. Our purpose is defined by the path we have walked. We have had to allow a remembering of our own spiritual selves, to put our purpose before us, no matter what, and to protect this sacred Indigenous life path so it is told in Truth and authenticity.

There are so many ways to support Sacajawea. Take a few minutes and visit our links, become active by sharing our posts, joining our groups and visiting our store. What we have undertaken is not an easy endeavor, we need your help to reach the world. Thank you so very, very much!

ONWARD!
Jane

JOIN AND SHARE Facebook Groups and Posts:
Sacajawea Private Screening group-https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sacajaweaprivatescreening/
Official Movie Group-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sacajaweathewindcatcher/

FOLLOW Websites:
www.sacajaweathemovie.com

FOLLOW Blogsites:
www.warriorwomanspirit.com
www.sacajaweathewindcatcher.com

VISIT Official Movie Store (profits are used to support this project):
https://spiritwindcollection.com/…/sacajawea-the-windcatcher

#warriorwomanspirit #warriorwoman #sacajaweathemovie

#sacajaweathewindcatcher

February 13, 2019November 18, 2020

Giving Credit to a Great Team!

Broken Hand Productions is honored to be producing the teaser reel for the epic feature film, Sacajawea, The Windcatcher. This teaser, “The Shell,” would not have happened without the commitment from a visionary investor and the film’s production team. These people have a passion for Sacajawea and for giving life to her story!

Blaine C. Ginther is an Executive Producer for the feature film. He is devoted to bringing in the funds needed to keep the production moving forward! Blaine embraces a reverence for history and he is committed to this amazing project with all his heart.

Kaaren Ochoa is a Producer/2nd Unit Director for the feature film and has been with the project since 2014. She and her husband, Doug, drove all the way from NM to OR to Direct the teaser reel. Her devotion astounds us and she has always seen the most wonderful, powerful vision for the story, that has taken us down many paths on this journey!

Susan Funk is a Co-Producer for the feature film and has been with the project since 2015. As Producer of the teaser, Susan worked very hard to coordinate the details, the actors, the locations, the editor. She is of the Flathead Nation, and believes in our purpose. Susan has always been an encouragement and she’s given so much to this production.

Shawna Fitzpatrick is the Costume Assistant for the feature film and Costumer for the teaser reel. She did a fantastic job of gathering authentic costumes, working with Wendy Partridge, one of the costume designers on the feature film. Shawna is pouring herself into the Sacajawea productions including the Warrior Woman Spirit campaign, the Spirit Wind Collection online store and other associated projects.

Kevin England and Vincent Caldoni are the Cinematographers for the teaser reel. These gentlemen were incredible to work with and their vision for this production, utilizing their equipment, including a drone, captured the glorious scenery and magnificent sky to make “The Shell” deeply emotional and dynamic.

spirit chief teaser — Scott Morgan, Actor

Gia Fisher and Scott Morgan, are the Actors who played “Sacajawea” and the “Spirit Chief” for the teaser reel. The connection was immediate between them, and it transferred its energy to the filming. Just in this teaser reel, watching the actors perform through their expressions and the body language, brought tears to our eyes. It is going to be absolutely magical! We thank Gia’s mother, Rebecca, for her support and love for Gia and for accepting this opportunity!

Jacob Halseth is the Production Assistant/Photographer for the teaser reel. At 16 years old, we were very proud of Jacob’s commitment to brave the cold and wind to get the photos and footage we needed to continue our posts on social media, as we generate excitement for the project.

Laura Roe is the Video Editor for the teaser reel production. She was recommended by members of our production team. We believe Laura will take all the pieces we have brought together, and create a promotional tool that will attract major investors. Laura’s expertise and talent will unfold a magnificent, emotional journey, worthy of Sacajawea and the overall film production.

Sarah Ortegon and Dennis Ambriz are the Voiceover Actors for the teaser reel. They have taken the words of the teaser script to transform the actions of Gia and Scott into a compelling and inspirationally dramatic experience for the audience.

Marcia K. Moore is the Concept Artist for the feature film, and also for the teaser. In the “The Shell,” as Sacajawea speaks to us about her “Spirit Chief” and how she met people who were different from her own on the Lewis and Clark journey, we see Marcia’s concept art. It will give us a glimpse of our vision for the feature film and the magnificent characters we will see.

ocean teaser — In the midst of a winter storm, we saw the Light! 2-9-2019

Ronald Owen is the Composer for the feature film and the teaser reel. Ronald’s music grabs us in the very beginning of the teaser and builds our emotions through the arc, to the very powerful ending. Coupled with Native drums, this background music is both professional and moving, and it will bring the vibrant effect we have imagined.

Even though the teaser is less than 3 minutes long, it will tug at hearts and show, through words, visuals and music, our undying devotion to authenticity and making sure Sacajawea and her message are represented in the most beautiful and profound way to the world. Thank you to each one of these passionate and devoted team members. We are so very blessed each and every day.

ONWARD! We soar on eagle’s wings!

Jane