Documentary on Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians to premiere APT
A new documentary about Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians will premiere on Alabama Public Television (APT) on Thursday, November 17, at 8:30 p.m. Produced by Jacksonville State University’s Longleaf Studios, “The Forgotten Creeks” can also be streamed from APT’s website and the PBS video app starting November 17. “We are honored that our Tribe was selected to be the subject of this documentary produced by Jacksonville State University and Alabama Public Television,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair. “We feel incredibly blessed to have this recounting of both our history and our lives today.” “The Forgotten Creeks” recalls the history of Alabama’s Mvskoke Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500s through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The documentary explores what happened to those Mvskoke Creeks who remained in Alabama following the Trail of Tears and documents those ensuing years of poverty, assimilation, and discrimination that nearly destroyed their indigenous identity. It also traces how finally, in 1984, after more than 40 years of unwavering advocacy by Tribal Leaders, the federal government recognized the Tribe as a sovereign, or independent, Indian nation with ancestral lands in Atmore, Alabama, and elsewhere in the state. Federal recognition was the beginning of a new chapter in the Tribe’s history. Economic development brought self-sufficiency, and the Tribe’s focus on educational opportunities, family values, and faith guided its transition to prosperity. “As an APT commissioner, JSU employee, and friend of the Poarch people for nearly 30 years, it was a real honor to connect these organizations and work together to produce such an important documentary,” said Pete Conroy, director of strategic partnerships and special projects at JSU. “I particularly thank Tribal Leadership for their trust and also JSU producer and director Seth Johnson for his mastery in telling this powerful story.” Seth Johnson, who serves as distinguished professor of graphic design and assistant dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at JSU, stated, “Producing this film was a rewarding experience. Our students were able to work alongside an accomplished film studio in the production of the film and gained valuable industry experience in doing so. We owe a significant thank you to the Poarch Creek Tribal Members that gave us their trust, welcomed us into their homes, and allowed us to tell their story.” The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama.
Capitol Journal host Don Dailey retiring; Todd Stacy to take over with universal support and congratulations
Don Dailey, host and executive producer for Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, announced he will be retiring at the end of the year. His final broadcast will be Friday, December 17. “For the last decade, it has been a high point of my career to bring Alabamians important news from the Statehouse and the Capitol,” Dailey stated. “It has also been an honor and a privilege to interview leaders from all aspects of state government. I am so very thankful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me by Alabama Public Television, and I look forward to the next chapter of my life.” Before joining APT in 2011, Dailey worked for 25 years in radio news in Birmingham and in the Wiregrass. While in high school, Dailey started his career in a small radio station in Demopolis and worked at stations in Monroeville, Troy, and Montgomery throughout his college years. “I’ve literally been on the air somewhere in Alabama for 40 years,” Dailey commented. Phil Hutcheson, interim executive director for APT, stated, “Don has been a tremendous asset to Alabama Public Television and to the people of our state. We’re grateful for his years of service, and we wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do next.” Todd Stacy will take over as host of Capitol Journal for the 2022 Legislative Session. Stacy, a Montgomery resident, has an extensive background in political communications and is currently the publisher of the Alabama Daily News. News of Stacy taking over as host has been spread on Twitter, with many prominent leaders wishing him well.
Martha Roby: APT documentary delivers results for Alabama veteran
With the start of a new Congress and a new presidential administration in office, there’s a lot of increased interest in government right now. That’s one of the reasons I agreed to serve as the subject of “Inside Congress: Alabama to DC,” a new Alabama Public Television documentary project offering an inside look at the many roles played by a United States congressman. The film features unique, behind-the-scenes footage of my activities throughout the halls of Congress, including a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, a meeting with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and multiple office visits from constituent groups. The film also includes scenes from back home in Alabama, where filmmakers went on the road with me to capture my visits throughout the Second District. Roy Clem, Executive Director of Alabama Public Television, said the film is part of APT’s larger efforts to educate students and adults about how our government works. In fact, just last week I recorded educational pieces meant for civics classes about the separation of powers, different forms of government, and the foundations of our constitutional republic. It was a fun experience working with Roy and award-winning filmmaker Mark Fastoso who is known for his most recent work, “JEREMIAH,” the critically-acclaimed documentary profile of former U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton. I’m honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to offer a glimpse into the inner workings of Congress and my day-to-day activities as an elected official and a mom, but the film also highlighted some of the little-known but important work we do to help constituents dealing with federal agencies. It’s no secret that many veterans seeking care for their service-connected injuries have had trouble getting treatment through the VA. For the last three years, we have worked hard to improve overall access to care at the Central Alabama VA, and much of that work has played out publicly. What is rarely seen, however, is the hard work that goes on behind the scenes when individual veterans who reach out to my office for help dealing with a sometimes difficult system. The film captures the story of Mr. Vicki Robinson, a Vietnam veteran from Prattville, who after undergoing a routine screening for cancer, never heard back from the VA. The results came back positive, but because Mr. Robinson wasn’t informed, his cancer advanced and became life-threatening. That’s when he reached out to my office for help. Thanks to the hard work of my dedicated staff, especially Charlotte Bent in my Montgomery office, we were able to get to the bottom of it and get Mr. Robinson the treatment he needed. Because the documentary shed light on this egregious oversight, the hospital has changed course for the better, and Mr. Robinson and others are now receiving improved quality of care. I’ve consistently argued that the public – especially veterans and lawmakers – should be privy to VA quality ratings for this very reason. Mr. Robinson’s story is proof that when the public applies pressure to the VA, we often achieve results. The Central Alabama VA has been improving. While I’m proud of this marked progress, we still have a long way to go and I’m so pleased that APT’s documentary project serves as further motivation to get health care right for our veterans. I hope you’ll watch “Inside Congress: Alabama to DC” on APT’s website by entering this link in your browser: https://video.aptv.org/video/2365954809/. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
