MAPS Media Institute

12/24/2025

Thanks to NBC Montana and Bowen West for this great story about the winner of the National Student Production Award for long form non-fiction - Walking Between Two Worlds”. We couldn’t be more proud of these students. And thanks to Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Department for making it a reality.

12/24/2025

MAPS' 2025 Highlight Reel is here!

From Fort Belknap to Billings, Hamilton to Helena, this year was packed with students creating, learning, and telling stories that matter.

Thank you to every student, teaching artist, family member, Tribal and community partner, generous funder, staff member and Board member. You made 2025 unforgettable, and you made it all possible.

Here's to more creative, beautiful, and powerful chaos in 2026!

12/23/2025

Thank you to NBC Montana for this beautiful story about MAPS-Billings students and their award-winning film, "Walking Between Two Worlds."

We're grateful for the thoughtful coverage and for helping share these important stories with communities across the state.

A group of Montana teens who had never picked up a camera a year ago are now national award-winning filmmakers and they did it with a story about what it means

11/24/2025

This week, we're pausing to appreciate the good stuff: family, food, and time together. 🧡

MAPS program sites are closed November 24-28 so our staff and students can enjoy the holiday week.

Our admin office will be open, but studios are taking a well-earned break.

Programs reopen on December 1st - see you then!

11/21/2025

"Walking Between Two Worlds" is the 2025 National Student Production Award winner in the category of Long Form Nonfiction!

Congratulations, Billings crew — this award is so well deserved.
This powerful documentary, created with the Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Departmentand with support from the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, was honored on a national stage, and the MAPS community could not be prouder.

To the entire student crew: your hard work, honesty, creativity, teamwork, respect for your interviewees, and your courage to lead the conversation made this film what it is.

To the elders, cultural leaders, families, and the Billings Indigenous Education Department - thank you for trusting MAPS to help bring this story to screen.

And to the Academy: thank you for recognizing the power of youth voices.

Billings Gazette
Billings Public Schools

11/21/2025

"Walking Between Two Worlds" is the 2025 National Student Production Award winner in the category of Long Form Nonfiction!

Congratulations, Billings crew — this award is so well deserved.
This powerful documentary, created with the Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Department and with support from the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, was honored on a national stage, and the MAPS community could not be prouder!

To the entire student crew: your hard work, honesty, creativity, teamwork, respect for your interviewees, and your courage to lead the conversation made this film what it is.

To the elders, cultural leaders, families, and the Billings Indigenous Education Department - thank you for trusting MAPS to help bring this story to screen.

And to the Academy: thank you for recognizing the power of youth voices.

Billings Public Schools
Billings Gazette

11/21/2025

Today we’re celebrating the commitment, hard work, and heart of the youth filmmakers behind "Walking Between Two Worlds" and the "Fort Belknap Water Education PSA".

The behind-the-scenes photos of these projects illustrate the commitment, care, and skill these artists brought to their communities’ stories.

No matter what happens today, all of us are celebrating the extraordinary achievement of being nominated for a National Student High School Production Award from the Academy!

Tune in today at 11am MT: https://watch.theemmys.tv

11/21/2025

Tomorrow is the big day!

Two MAPS youth-produced films are nominated for the 2025 National Student Production Awards, and winners will be announced during the national livestream.

We’re cheering on the incredible young filmmakers behind:

"Walking Between Two Worlds" - created with Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Department

"Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Development: PSA" - created with the Fort Belknap Water Resource Department, Tribal leaders, and Harlem Public Schools high school students.

We’re so very proud of these artists and grateful to every Elder, educator, and community partner who helped make these projects happen.

Watch the ceremony tomorrow at 11am MT: https://watch.theemmys.tv

Watch the nominated films:
- Walking Between Two Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLCYTJrc1Cg
- Fort Belknap PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl__FaCR7FA

11/17/2025

CELEBRATING MAPS NATIONAL NOMINATIONS!

This documentary from Billings is one of TWO MAPS films nominated for National Student Production Awards!

Watch the trailer: Walking Between Two Worlds: The Urban Indigenous Youth Experience

First-time Indigenous youth filmmakers explore what it means to maintain cultural connections while embracing contemporary life through interviews with Tribal and community leaders. Created in collaboration with Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Department, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, and MAPS Media Institute.

WATCH THE AWARDS CEREMONY: Friday, November 21, 2025 | 11am MST
https://watch.theemmys.tv


Billings Public Schools
Billings Gazette

11/12/2025

CELEBRATING OUR NATIONAL NOMINATIONS
This powerful one-minute PSA from Fort Belknap Indian Community is one of TWO MAPS films nominated for National Student Production Awards!

Fort Belknap Indian Community members share their experiences with water scarcity and their commitment to water security for future generations. This PSA is part of a larger 2023/2024 video series created in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Indian Community's Water Resources Department, community leaders, and Harlem High School filmmakers.

WATCH THE AWARDS CEREMONY: Friday, November 21, 2025 | 11am MT Watch.TheEmmys.TV

11/11/2025

In honor of Veterans Day, we're sharing Jamie Fox's story - MAPS Board member, celebrated Métis fiddler, and U.S. Air Force veteran, from Fort Belknap.

This video highlights how Jamie bridges music, military service, and STEAM through hard work, commitment, and determination.

Please join us when Jamie joins Chris La Tray for his reading at MAPS Media Institute - Fort Belknap on Tuesday, November 18. Free community event, 5:30 pm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rWPdyIK7Q4

This video features Jamie Fox, a Métis fiddler, U.S. Air Force veteran, and aircraft mechanic from the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Jamie’s story bridges t...

11/10/2025

On November 4, MAPS Audio Production students toured Helena Civic TV, thanks to Jeannie McLean-Warden (Senior Videographer/Editor) and Kirsten Faubian (Executive Director).

They produced and starred in their own mock cable access show, impressing everyone with their skills while learning new equipment and lingo. Watch out, world, as these young producers, engineers, and on-screen stars are bringing creativity, passion, and serious talent!