Contributing to the Global Discussion
|
OTTER VISION is passionate about:
Our projects are concerned with the exploration of:
We address these themes through a variety of formats, including:
|
|
V.2018.11
REV. HOUSTON R. CYPRESS / YAHALÉTKE, OTTER CLAN, MICCOSUKEE TRIBE ARTIST, ENVIRONMENTALIST Rev. Houston R. Cypress grew up in the River of Grass region of the Greater Everglades -- a place of refuge for his ancestors and the source of traditional plant medicines. He experiments with strategies for engaging communities and inspiring action around this World Heritage Site. Art, conflict management, multimedia communications, gender diversity and spirituality are some of the disciplines and priorities that he contributes through his collaboration with the following organizations:
He finds inspiration for his contributions to the Cinema in the words of Patricio Guzman of Chile, who says, "A country without documentaries is like a home without photo albums." Houston is committed to supporting his society of clans by assisting in cultural preservation, environmental protection, community outreach, event and media production, business development, and strengthening sovereignty. Rev. Houston R. Cypress is a Two-Spirit Poet, Artist and Environmentalist from the Otter Clan of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. He resides on the Miccosukee Reservation located west of Miami, Florida; and he simply loves all the traditional villages located on tree islands scattered throughout Water Conservation Area 3A. This area is known as the historic River of Grass, and called by his community: KAHAYATLE, which can be translated as "Shimmering Waters." He invites you to join him in Creating Portals Between Worlds. V.2013
HOUSTON R. CYPRESS – YAHALÉTKE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER [insert age here] – Otter Clan – Miccosukee Resides on the Rez in the Everglades Maintains Everglades Village: Where the Little Pot Sits Otter Vision – President Miccosukee Magazine – Executive Producer Miccosukee Festival Committee – Member Tribal Consultant Film, Recording & Entertainment Council – Member Medicine Signs Spiritual Center – Board of Directors Camposition, Inc. – Board of Directors Love The Everglades Movement - Coordination Circle grew up in the swamps, blazing trails thru the bush – 1st Miccosukee, 2nd English, 3rd Spanish – with guidance and support, I’ve assisted Miccosukee Tribe’s efforts: Cultural Preservation Environmental Protection Community Outreach Business Development Sovereignty as a Miccosukee, the living narrative flows thru you as an ancient, healing Breath the etymology of the terms – in either Miccosukee or English – derives from a description of Nature of the shimmering light glinting off the grassy waters: Kahayatle = Everglades = Shimmering Waters literary connoisseur, jazz enthusiast, art groupie – help ever hurt never, sathya sai baba a country without documentaries is like a home without photo albums, patricio guzman, chile contributing to the global discussion a portal between worlds this moment is perfect for realizing all that we know as our birthright as spiritual beings bound for universal diplomacy goodbye doesn’t exist in Miccosukee we say instead, when parting company: teheechoolaaka = we shall meet again V.2010 CURATOR & HISTORIAN FOR FILM PRESERVATION My work in the area of film preservation is quite an honor and responsibility. The legacy that I’m contributing to helps to extend the cultural assets of my community into a future where the magical rhythms and images resonate among a society in harmony with nature. I work in tandem with key people in our community to create adaptable asset management systems and infrastructure that best serve their archival needs. This is an on-going task, especially so when one considers the evolving nature of digital media. As a curator, I am also concerned with creating appropriate contexts whereby cultural exchange is enhanced – portals between worlds. |