The chilly wind failed to keep youth from gathering at the Alliance City Park on Sunday for a lacrosse match—a common scene at the park thanks to the efforts of Edison Red Nest III, who has been spreading his passion for lacrosse across the Panhandle for the past five years. His passion has caught the attention of a group developing a documentary film focusing on positive stories of people from the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Director Ishma Valenti said the choice to feature Red Nest came after seeing how he has worked to improve his community.
“Since Edison Red Nest was born in Pine Ridge, he’s one of the stories that we’re covering,” said Valenti. “He’s here in Alliance doing great work serving Lakota culture throughout this community, and then incorporating anyone in the community who wants to come in. We thought that was just a tremendous story—something awesome and positive to show—as well as the other work that he does with his businesses and his non-profit.
Valenti noted that in producing this documentary, there is one goal that guides him. He said he is compiling stories from 13 other people, in addition to Red Nest.
“We just want to put a positive light, and positive energy out there with this documentary,” Valenti said. “We’re lucky, and grateful, that he was able to open up his world so that we can see the positivity, and hopefully show others how to duplicate the positivity, and spread some awareness to see if there’s anything anyone can do to further what’s happening here.”
Since 2009, Valenti has been directing films. Each film Valenti produces carries on that goal of putting positivity into the world, he noted. He recognized people for helping to achieve that goal: Matthew Mason, Matthew Cries For Ribs and Nick Goodwin.
“We do all sorts of stuff together,” said Valenti. “We always do projects that have a positive light.”
Valenti took part in the action Sunday, dawning cleats and gloves to join in the game.
“When Edison asked me to play, I thought he was joking,” Valenti said. “I really got to see the companionship out here. This game is so beautiful, and so pure. Everybody just welcomed me to the game. That’s the kind of openness this game promotes.”
Valenti hopes to have the documentary ready in August. He said he is working to have it viewed at various film festivals, as well as having it air on NET and South Dakota Public Television.
Red Nest is grateful for the opportunity for people to see positive stories about the community’s youth.
“It was great to hear that they wanted to come film us playing lacrosse,” said Red Nest. “It was really good for the kids to tell their stories, because they were interviewed by them. Our kids are doing good things. I’m glad that they were able to get that kind of exposure. It was fun having them there, and having the director play with us. I’m hoping that we represented the area very well.”
The documentary also highlighted Red Nest’s work to re-open the Sandhills Drive In, which is set to open on April 24.