Man of Many Colors: An Artist’s Journey
What if the government tried to erase your identity?
Imagine, you’re a Tiwa Indian from the pristine mountains of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. You’ve just been recruited out of high school by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Their goal is to assimilate Native Americans into white society. They offer you one-way bus fare to San Jose, California. Do you stay on the reservation to follow your father’s medicine? Or do you go for a job and life in the fast lane?
New Mexico sings, drums and paints traditional songs.
The Story:
The Man of Many Colors is a Native American Artist named Blue Spruce Standing Deer. He is the son of a respected shaman, healer and spiritual teacher named Medicine Mountain. Born to a native family that bridged both cultures, his Tiwa great-grandfather had married Mabel Dodge, a white woman and a writer with inherited wealth from Buffalo, New York. Standing Deer was groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps as a medicine person, but his choice to remain in California was a way to avoid the responsibility. After 18 years living in mainstream, society the spirit of his tribe called him to come home to Taos Pueblo. Once home he had to find a way to reconcile his tribal/cultural ways with what he learned about life in the 21st century. He reinvented himself as an Artist and singer of traditional songs while exploring the medicine he’d learned from his father and great-grandfather.
Stewardship of Mother Earth
A major theme of Man of Many Colors is maintaining a healthy and sustainable relationship with our planet. We explore the Native American spiritual belief that human beings are caretakers of the earth. We are not here to dominate or exploit nature, but rather to respect and steward Mother Earth by protecting our precious land, forests, waters, and wildlife. The film will feature interviews on this subject with outspoken First Nation leaders. 
The Outcome:
The outcome of the US Government’s relocation program was a disastrous loss of cultural identity for Native Americans. Native participants were given one-way bus fares to major metropolitan areas and often trained for menial jobs.
By joining our community you can help produce this compelling documentary.
Be a part of the solution needed in our rapidly changing natural environment by respecting and exploring the tenants of indigenous culture. Your financial support can bring our powerful message to an eagerly waiting global audience.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:
Writer/Director Mark Jay Gordon:
Mark is an independent filmmaker working on his second feature documentary film about a captivating artist who has made a difference. His first feature documentary, Awakening in Taos, was inspired by Mabel Dodge Luhan’s work and he is currently developing a feature dramatic film on her memoir Edge of Taos Desert: An escape to reality. Awakening in Taos was narrated by actor/activist Ali MacGraw and is currently being broadcast nationwide over PBS stations. The success of Awakening in Taos inspired us to produce Man of Many Colors.
Producer: Jhane Myers,
Comanche & Black Feet Tribes
We are collaborating on this production with Producer Jhane Myers, a Comanche and Black Feet American Indian. She is intimately involved in all major decisions for this project. Jhane is a two-time Sundance Fellow who produced Words From A Bear about Pulitzer Prize winning Native American poet N. Scott Momaday for PBS’ American Masters. Her participation enhances the quality, authenticity and accuracy of this production.
Writer/Director Mark Jay Gordon:
Mark is an independent filmmaker working on his second feature documentary film about a captivating artist who has made a difference. His first feature documentary, Awakening in Taos, was inspired by Mabel Dodge Luhan’s work and he is currently developing a feature dramatic film on her memoir Edge of Taos Desert: An escape to reality. Awakening in Taos was narrated by actor/activist Ali MacGraw and is currently being broadcast nationwide over PBS stations. The success of Awakening in Taos inspired us to produce Man of Many Colors.
Producer: Jhane Myers,
Comanche & Black Feet Tribes
We are collaborating on this production with Producer Jhane Myers, a Comanche and Black Feet American Indian. She is intimately involved in all major decisions for this project. Jhane is a two-time Sundance Fellow who produced Words From A Bear about Pulitzer Prize winning Native American poet N. Scott Momaday for PBS’ American Masters. Her participation enhances the quality, authenticity and accuracy of this production.
You can make a difference with a tax-deductible donation!
We are asking for your support today for our new feature documentary film Man of Many Colors. We have raised over $76,000 so far, with a total projected budget goal of $ 196,566.
How we raised our last budget:
We are 45% towards completing our film. We plan to finish Man of Many Colors in time to enter the Sundance film festival on Spring, 2025. During production of Awakening in Taos we raised over $500,000 through private donations of $10 to $10,000 plus major grants and sponsorships. We will complete this project the same way using the same business model, but in a shorter time with a smaller budget.
Fall in love with Standing Deer and Marti White Deer Song
when you follow their story.
You’ll be fascinated by their art, music, and deep personal commitment to a spiritual relationship. Both are incredible artists dealing with deep themes and music to illustrate this socially relevant film.
Samples of Prints. Enjoy the art.
Click image to enlarge view. Click the “x” or click off the image to close.
Perks for donors:
If you believe strongly about the importance of this story, participate as a creator/producer with your generous tax-deductible donation to Man of Many Colors. Together we can inspire the hearts of audiences.
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY AND ACT TODAY!
Thank you!
Mark Gordon
GoodMedicine@gmail.com
Perks for donors:
If you believe strongly about the importance of this story, participate as a creator/producer with your generous tax-deductible donation to Man of Many Colors. Together we can inspire the hearts of audiences.
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY AND ACT TODAY!
Thank you!
Mark Gordon
Mark@StarDancerStudio.com
MAKE A DONATION!
Fall in love with Standing Deer and Marti White Deer Song when you follow their story.
You’ll be fascinated by their art, music, and deep personal commitment to a spiritual relationship. Both are incredible artists dealing with deep themes and music to illustrate this socially relevant film.
MAKE A DONATION!
Fall in love with Standing Deer and Marti White Deer Song when you follow their story.
You’ll be fascinated by their art, music, and deep personal commitment to a spiritual relationship. Both are incredible artists dealing with deep themes and music to illustrate this socially relevant film.
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Team Player – Thank You!
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