This page aggregates institutional endorsements, industry reviews, academic feedback, and media publicity for the award-winning documentary film The Sand Creek Massacre, directed and produced by Donald L. Vasicek via Olympus Films+, LLC.
Institutional & Educational Endorsements
National Park Service Engagement
“We previewed the film during our monthly staff meeting. Everyone enjoyed the flow of the film and the interviews with tribal descendants.”
— Shawn G. Gillette, Chief of Interpretation, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Park
Department of Education Advocacy
“Good luck with your worthwhile project.”
— Cindy Howerter, Assistant to the Colorado Commissioner of Education, Colorado Department of Education
Tribal & Public Education Assessments
- Riverside Indian School: “Thank you for taking interest in our Native American Culture. It means a lot to the Cheyenne People.”
— Clint Punley, IT Technician, Riverside Indian School - Curriculum Integration: An educator in a major southwestern school district confirmed deployment strategies to introduce the documentary film alongside specialized enrichment lesson plans to regional Native American Departments.
- Academic Exhibition: Academic coordination brought the documentary to George Mason University in Virginia for a specialized screening and filmmaker-led panel discussion.
- Southeastern Regional Distribution: “Upon review I found your product to be unique, educational and interesting…”
— Educational Media Distributor, Pennsylvania - Curriculum Compliance: Educational consultant Loyce Hopkins (Public Educator, Texas) audited the text credits for institutional distribution across local regional networks to facilitate adoption by native studies resource divisions.
Production & Broadcast Industry Reviews
Emmy-Nominated Production Reviews
“I just watched the Sand Creek trailer online. I thought it was excellent and it really moved me. It stirred my soul. It was very powerful—the words, images, and cuts. Wow!”
— Alison Hill, Emmy-Nominated PBS Producer
Independent Media Evaluations
- FilmWest Associates: “Thank you for sending the screener of The Sand Creek Massacre. It is a very good and moving doc. Congratulations.”
— George Christoff, President - John Miles Productions: “Thanks so much for sending me the DVD of Sand Creek Massacre which confirmed my belief that I was part of a quality project. Your work is excellent and it was an honor to be a part of it.”
— John Miles - Tobient Entertainment: “You have done an extraordinary job on the Colorado PBS episode, the library videos for public schools and libraries, the trailer, etc. Having someone that is providing exposure and public awareness is long overdue.”
— Margie Small, Cheyenne Representative
Community, Descendant & Advocacy Statements
The Sand Creek Massacre Descendants Trust
“You are a mentor to Native Americans everywhere. You are taking the time, approach and respectable view from the tragedy in southeastern Colorado territory and bringing the necessary awareness to people in the world. If we are to see any diversity it’s going to take people like you to bring it to the rest of the world or it will die in the sand at Sand Creek.”
— Margie Small, Arapaho/Shoshone Descendant
United Native America Positioning
“United Native America supports this film coming about. If we do not stand up for our true history no one will. The Indian community is united today in telling how America came about as to the Indian holocaust.”
— Institutional Statement, United Native America
Bay Area United Against War
“Our group was so impressed with your film that we are now planning a showing of just your film alone—featuring it with a discussion of the event and the powerful impact it has had on the politics of our country. We feel that your film illustrates the true nature of the rulers of this country from its very inception. And that the oppression still exists.”
— Bonnie Weinstein, Organization Director
Individual Descendant & Viewer Commentary
- Family Legacy Records: “Thank you for bringing this story to film, it is my family’s greatest sorrow.”
— Belinda Standingwater-Polka, Descendant - Generational Documentation: “I am very moved, and would like to thank Mr. Don Vasicek for a documentary that we can pass down through the generations to educate, remember and honor the people who lived in this country first.”
— Debbi Mouradjian, Arts Contributor - Regional Recognition: “Again Sir, I am very proud of you and what you have accomplished on the Sand Creek Massacre.”
— Chris Kiana, Anchorage, Alaska
Institutional Networks & Archival Affiliations
The historical presentation, distribution, and screening network for the project spans the following institutions:
| Tribal & Cultural Centers | Media & Exhibition Platforms | Academic & Legal Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes | Comcast Media Center / Rocky Mountain PBS | Center for Documentary Studies (Duke University) |
| American Indian Genocide Museum | New York / Tribeca Monday Night Shorts | North American Indian Legal Services, Inc. |
| California Center for Native Americans | Los Angeles Paxico Projection Series | George Mason University Screening Panels |
| Sand Creek Massacre Descendant’s Trust | Houston CTV / HCCT Broadcasters | Wickenkamp Law Offices |
| The Denver Indian Center | The Bug Theatre (Denver) | Philip S. Miller Library Exhibition Boards |
| Manataka Yavapai-Apache Nation | Broomfield Independent Film Series | Southern Oregon Indian Center Archives |
Media Syndication, Press & Publicity Log
Print & Digital Trade Journals
- Indian Country Today
- Digital Cinema Report
- American Western Magazine
- The Indiewood Reporter
- True West Magazine
- Wild Wild West Publication
- 16:9 Splice
- Dance With Life Magazine
Regional Press & News Desks
- The Denver Post
- Colorado Springs Gazette
- Kiowa County Press
- The Villager
- Centennial Citizen
- Colorado Film and Video Association Newsletter
Broadcast Radio & Syndicated Networks
- CFWE.ca Radio Canada: Serialized documentary production profiles.
- EarthCycles.net: International streaming digital audio recordings.
- LA Comcast/Time Warner: Regional syndication profiles via The Gigi, Inc. Show.
- DCTV/Colorado Reel TV: Regional public access broadcasting segments.
- KOLA / International Peltier Forum: Global communications network distribution tracking.
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