TULSA, Okla. — The National Educational Telecommunications Association recently honored Cherokee Nation’s popular docuseries, “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People,” during the 55th Annual Public Media Awards.
The tribe’s cultural series, which is often referred to as OsiyoTV, earned a top honor in the Independent Production category. Though the show ranks among the most awarded Indigenous-run series in the industry, this marks its first Public Media Award.
“We are incredibly honored to see OsiyoTV and its impactful stories of the Cherokee people be recognized on a national scale among the many high-quality productions that find distribution on public television,” said Jennifer Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film. “We’re thankful to continue finding partners, such as NETA, that share our enthusiasm to add diversity and increase Native representation across film, TV and all media.”
The Public Media Awards, presented by NETA, honor the highest caliber of community engagement, content, education, and marketing and communications in public media programming. Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists from within the public media system, as well as industry professionals working outside of public media.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and award winners,” said NETA President Eric Hyyppa. “This year the entries were exemplary, showcasing the best of the best from across the public media system.”
Since premiering in 2015, “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” has vibrantly featured hundreds of Cherokees from both past and present. The first-of-its-kind series, hosted and executive produced by Cherokee Nation citizen, filmmaker and Emmy-winning journalist Jennifer Loren, is breaking barriers and helping change how Native Americans are represented by bringing the rich traditions and compelling modern stories of the Cherokee people to viewers across the globe.
OsiyoTV is available on PBS in Oklahoma and Arkansas and regionally in Tulsa on RSU-TV, as well as on FNX, an all-Native programming network in 25 national markets. The show, which is funded and produced by Cherokee Nation Businesses, is formatted for multiple platforms, including osiyo.tv, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitterand more.
Editor’s Note: All media assets, including video from the 55th Annual Public Media Awards, are available for download HERE.
Photo Cutline: Cherokee Nation’s popular docuseries, OsiyoTV, was recently honored as Best Independent Producer during the 55th Annual Public Media Awards Gala held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(L to R): Cherokee Film’s Tim Rogers, postproduction manager; Maggie Cunningham, senior manager of film and video production; Jennifer Loren, senior director; and Colby Luper, production specialist.
ABOUT CHEROKEE FILM
The mission of Cherokee Film is to reclaim Cherokee and Native narratives by increasing representation across film, TV and other media industries while creating an ecosystem that supports production and drives economic activity in the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses — the board-governed holding company of the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. One-hundred percent of the company’s profits support future business investments and the well-being of the tribe’s citizens through health care, education and job creation, ensuring better lives for Cherokees today and tomorrow.
For more information, please visit Cherokee.film or follow Cherokee Film on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
