Through Native Eyes Productions

LARRY CESSPOOCH, STORYTELLER/SPIRITUAL LEADER

 

Larry Cesspooch is a modern storyteller, who uses all forms of media to tell his stories, film, music, storytelling, and lectures. Cesspooch means "white belly" in the Ute language. That was his Great Grandpa's Indian name who had a big white birthmark on his tummy. Larry's Indian name is "Eyee-Pooch," Young Man. He grew up on the Uintah & Ouray Ute Reservation in Northeastern Utah.

 

Larry served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman in Vietnam, Hawaii, and Texas. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts for his AA, and the Anthropology Film Center for his BA, both in Santa Fe, N.M. on the G.I. Bill, and tribal scholarships.

 

Larry returned home in 1979 to his tribe to create the "Ute Tribe Audio-Visual," one of the first tribal production groups in the states. They produced over 600 films for the Ute Indian Tribe on the culture, language and history. During his 23 years, Cesspooch was also the Editor for the "Ute Bulletin" tribal newspaper, and did Public Relations for the tribe.

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In 1994, our "The Ute Bear Dance Story" as told by Henry Cesspooch, Oldest Bear Dance Chief screened at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. He was asked if he knew anyone that could do a blessing for the lab. He said that's what I do for my Ute People. So, for 26 years he's done Spiritual Blessing for the summer labs. 

 

The filmmaker left the tribe in 2002 to create his own productions, "Through Native Eyes Productions." Cesspooch likes to produce short documentaries telling others stories. He continues to produce and direct productions today.

 

Larry is one of the Ute Spiritual Leaders for the Ute Tribe talks about Spirituality, and other Native concepts. He  maintains one of the Sweat Lodges on the Ute Reservation helping his People. Cesspooch also does Spiritual Blessing to help others with life, and conducts Wedding Ceremonies.

 

He has also presented some twelve years as a member of the Utah Humanities Public Square Speaker Bureau, “Utah History Through Native Eyes,” was one of his topics presented.  

 

He shares Ute knowledge through Ute Creation Stories using animal puppets, and traditional artifacts to tell his stories.

 

His music uses traditional, and contemporary instruments to tell about the eagle, buffalo, spirituality, and being Native. Larry enjoys what he does.

 

ROBERT REDFORD, SUNDANCE INSTITUTE  50th ANNIVERSARY

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