THE BEARS ON PINE RIDGE (2023) is a feature documentary project that covers a span of six years within an isolated Native American community on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This cinematic piece, brought to you by Vision maker Media and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, offers viewers unprecedented access to a State-of-Emergency unfolding in South Dakota, where the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe grapples with a deeply troubling youth mental health crisis. With little to no assistance from the Federal Government, the burden of healing their community falls upon the resilient residents of Pine Ridge. LOGLINE: The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has declared a “State of Emergency”, after an outbreak of youth suicides has devastated the community. Due to a lack of Federal assistance, residents have taken prevention efforts into their own hands. A tenacious Oglala Lakota elder takes charge, rallying the community to get involved, while empowering a resilient young group of suicide survivors to band together to help raise awareness.

Canadian's largest Nationwide entertainment news network, eTalk spotlights 'The Bears on Pine Ridge' in an interview with Director Noel Bass.

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and 'The Bears on Pine Ridge' filmmakers put together a special panel discussion with leaders in Native suicide prevention. This is a quick glimpse of some of the discussion. Watch the entire discussion to hear from leaders in Native youth suicide prevention: https://youtu.be/tb0Io_or9v4

This 5-minute sequence was put together as an extra for a festival screening to show some extra footage that was not featured in the film. (with Director commentary)

Tiny DeCory and Eileen Janis join John to talk about the Bear Program and its suicide prevention outreach initiatives on the Pine Ridge territory. Beginning as a youth education group, the Bear Program shifted its focus to suicide prevention after a wave of teen suicides swept across Pine Ridge. Tiny and Eileen discuss their ongoing efforts to tackle this mental health crisis. Want to support the Bear Program? Check out their Facebook page and make a donation today! https://www.facebook.com/Bear-Program-336607163039770/ patreon! https://www.patreon.com/letstalknative merch! - https://teespring.com/stores/ltnmerch spotify! - https://open.spotify.com/show/5qUuGA8QaOWaJHILLy8orp website! - https://www.letstalknative.com/ twitter! - https://twitter.com/letstalknative instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/letstalknativetv facebook! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalknative/ podcast! - https://www.letstalknative.com/podcast #LETSTALKNATIVE #JOHNKANE

In this Native Hope podcast episode, we speak with Yvonne “Tiny” Decory, a strong Lakota woman from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She has made it her life mission to aid in combating the issue of Indigenous suicide. As a member of the BEAR [Be Excited About Reading Program], she works to encourage the “celebration of life” through literacy, performance art, community outreach and counsel.

Director, Noel Bass, of The Bears on Pine Ridge has filmed many events over the years on and surrounding the Pine Ridge Reservation. On July 3rd, 2020, tensions were high in the community when former President Trump collaborated with SD governor Kristi Noem to hold a Trump rally with a large fireworks show on what is traditionally sacred lands. The area discontinued fireworks shows due to possible wildfire danger. This video captures the emotional confrontation between protestors and police.

WATCH THIS HUMBLE MOMENT FROM AN INDIGENOUS LEADER WATCH THIS BEAUTIFUL MOMENT! An Indigenous leader admits her own doubts in holding a leadership position, while youth suicides are on the rise. Watch as the other First Nations leaders bring her support! We heal together.