Throughout my professional career, my primary mission has been to create opportunities and resources for Native youth in ways I never had. The short film, Sèng Wah, is one example of how I can do so. As a Native artist, I have overcome various barriers to retaining my artistic and cultural identity in the World of the Arts. The sole purpose of my film series, Azhish!: Stories in Motion, is to allow young Native artists to share their stories on their terms, which I will guide them with the knowledge I have gained through my career. As creative director of the series, it is my job to mentor these young artists, help them create their choreography, write their scripts, and capture the visual aesthetic they wish to portray to the world. All while ensuring that they retain their cultural roots and showcase their perspectives as contemporary Native peoples living today.
Sèng Wah was the first film of the Azhish! series, highlighting a young Native ballet dancer from San Ildefonso Pueblo named Than Povi Martinez.
