WOLAKOTA

"They had forgotten that the earth was their mother" - Black Elk

wolakota (pron: woh - lah - koh - dah) means the Lakota people’s sacred way of life. It stands for peace, harmony, good relationship and respect between human beings and all forms of life.

A film by Wanbli Omani and Tim Sessler. Shot on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, at Devils Tower, WY and in NYC.

Featuring the voice of Jim Miller.

To read more about the process: http://www.brooklynaerials.com/blog


Director and Cinematographer: Tim Sessler || http://timsessler.com
Edit: J.P. Damboragian || https://www.jpdamboragian.com/
Music Bethan Kellough, Songs: 'Vision' and 'Low from the album 'Aven' || http://bethankellough.com
Color: Kath Raisch at CO3 || https://www.company3.com/artists/kath-raisch/
SFX: Defacto || https://www.defactosound.com/
Production: Tim Sessler
Gear Support: Brooklyn Aerials & Already Alive

Pine Ridge Unit:
Drone Camera Operator and Assistant: Ike 'Wanbli Omani' Miller
Additional Assistant: Vic Shoulders

NYC Portraits:
1st AC: Drew English // http://www.drewenglish.com/
2nd AC: Stephan Hawk

NYC Aerials:
Helicopter and Shotover Support: Gotham Film Works
Aerial DP and Operator: Tim Sessler
Pilot: Steve Masi
Shotover Tech: Mike Isler and Jose Montanez


Special thanks to Silas Hagerty, Brandon Bray and Autumn Kay Brookmire for always believing in this project and pushing it forward.

All the gratitude goes out to everybody that put their time and energy into making this piece, especially the people and riders of Pine Ridge and all people that shared their wisdom with us.

Ike, Jim and Alberta Miller, Vic Shoulders, Janessa Garnette, Jaylin Garnette, Jada Good Crow, Ed Star, Trevon Spotted Eagle, Alden Steele, John Yellow Boy, Travis Red Owl Jr, Janessa Quick Bear Weldon Spotted Eagle, Tyler Bull Bear, Connie Tibbits, Travis Red Owl, Marlon Iron Crow, Maria Red Owl, Bamm Brewer, Ilene Janis, Jay, Jamie and Jeffrey Shoulders and Guss Yellowhair.

And last but not least thanks to everybody that made this project possible on the back-end: Bethan Kellough, Touch33, Mike Harding, Jake Oleson, Michael Marantz and Already Alive, Company3, Tabb Firchau and Freefly Systems, Jarred Land and RED as well as Kippertie.