Native American Project Gaining Major Celebrity Supports

In an effort to raise awareness for lingering racism and equality issues in Hollywood for Native Americans, Ticci Man Project is gathering hundreds of stars and dignitaries together and showcasing the world’s best talent from Native America with all charity proceeds benefiting several aspects of the native community.

Los Angeles, CA, June 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Ticci Man Project (TMP) is racking up major star power in an effort to raise respect, value, and equality for Native Americans in Hollywood. Among its quickly growing celebrity supporter list is comedian-actor Tim Allen of television's “Home Improvement” fame.

“We are bringing fun and excitement to Hollywood toward celebrating Native America—we want the industry and world to see what it’s been missing by all but excluding Native Americans as we raise stereotyping awareness. Mr. Allen, like so many Hollywood celebrities, is a true humanitarian who wants to help benefit millions of Native people by simply celebrating them and their culture in a positive and fun way while raising awareness—how cool is that,” said project sponsor Kon Ticci International president Zelan Bonn.

Proclaimed by the L.A. Times as the most famous Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Native American actor-activist Russell Means recently signed on as celebrity spokesperson. Means will be meeting with prominent leaders across Native America toward gaining major tribal, leadership, and financial supports.

“This is right up my alley. This is what Native America has been hoping for and needing for a long time and I am proud to be a key part of this project on behalf of all Native Americans. I thank everyone in Hollywood who are showing their support toward aiding Native Americans to find greater equality and voice in this industry and in America,” said Means. “This is going to help in many ways still unimaginable to most of us.”

Native producer-director-actor Georgina Lightning, known for her work in Ghosts from the Heartland and shows like West Wing, has also agreed to take on the role of official spokesperson for the project.

“We still have some strong racism and discrimination issues in Hollywood for Native Americans and I love the idea this project will draw some awareness for that through a positively charged series of events that showcase just how great and talented Native Americans are—kudos to all the warm hearted Hollywood celebrities generously pitching in to help both Native Americans and our industry toward redemption—this just shows how great our celebrity class really is,” said Lightning. “You have no idea how much this project means to Native Americans—that the celebrity class in Hollywood is trying to help us now.”

The crown jewel event is TMP’s Celebrity Festival For Native America, a glamorous red carpet theater, film, award event that will feature some of the best talent Native America has to offer. A star studded audience is expected to include a variety of world dignitaries starting with President Obama and New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson.

A key component of the Native talent showcasing aspect is the upcoming “Koto and the Ticci Man” film and “Ticci Man” network series that will feature the first ever Indian superhero portrayed by a Native American. Imajilan Pictures™ has pledged a portion of all proceeds to TMP. The entertainment projects already have a growing fan base in over 23 countries, say producers.

“Americans and Indians both want to see an iconic, modern-day Indian hero—and Native people of the globe want to see if Hollywood will support them in their fight for greater equality and voice,” said producer David Skinner. “It’s a very fun and exciting time to be a Hollywood celebrity, to be able to so easily demonstrate humanitarian support for American Indians, and even global Natives, without having to leave home.”

At last count, TMP has invited over 270 celebrities to endorse support for the project toward a show of Hollywood solidarity in aiding Native Americans find more social and industry equality. Those endorsing will receive coveted invitations to the exclusive Celebrity Festival charity event where seats are expected to range from $2,500 to as much as $10,000.

“We’re going to have some unique and rare entertainment from Native America that most people never have the privilege to witness—really a once in a lifetime treat for those lucky enough to attend,” said Tom Bee, entertainment coordinator. “These top performers will give all their hearts to this because it means so much for all Native Americans that Hollywood is finally helping them gain industry respect,” he said.

Current plans are to hold the event in late summer or early fall in the famed Kodak Theater but have not been formalized as yet. All proceeds benefit TMP’s line-up of Native America aid projects, including language preservation, museum and cultural center assistance, media and film scholarship programs, Native cultures road show, and more.

A major Native American art contest will culminate in bringing one lucky winner to Hollywood to paint a wall-sized edition of the winning entry. A week of invitation only celebrity photo-shoots and art signings will culminate with the historical painting being permanently housed in the newly built American Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Oklahoma—celebrity signatures will be on display for generations and officially cemented in Hollywood, Native American, and US history books.

“This is a very high honor that is being bestowed on select Hollywood celebrities from the Native American community and perspective so it should be given the weight and dignity it deserves,” said Means. “This is a great honor for everyone involved and shows how far both Hollywood and Native America have progressed toward coming together.”

Other TMP events include a charity auction and gourmet diner that will include sample taste-treat dishes of authentic Native American cuisine and various authentic crafted gifts and prizes.

The heart-warming project is designed toward making amends for 100 years of film and television racism and discrimination that was once plied on Native Americans, focusing instead on celebrating the beauty of Native America. Donations can be made online. Learn more at: www.ticciman.com / www.konticci.org.

Company Information: The Ticci Man Project is hosted by Kon Ticci International, a pending 501 (c) (3) nonprofit based in San Diego, CA, lead by president Zelan Bonn with key advisors Roger Peterson, CPA and Russell Means, Georgina Lightning, and a growing volunteer staff.