Tracy Rector facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tracy Rector
Rector at the opening reception for "Tatau/Tattoo: Embodying Resistance", exhibit at Wing Luke Museum, Seattle, Washington.
Born	1972 (age 52–53)
Alma mater	Evergreen State College
Occupation	Film Director, Film Producer, Curator
Children	2

Tracy Rector, born in 1972, is an American filmmaker and artist. She also helps organize art shows and supports artists. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Tracy is the leader and co-founder of Longhouse Media. This group helps Indigenous people and people of color (POC) learn about media arts. It also runs a well-known program called Native Lens. Tracy has worked as an education helper at the Seattle Art Museum. She was also a native naturalist at the Olympic Sculpture Park. She has created learning plans for IslandWood, which is a center for environmental education. She also served as a Seattle Arts Commissioner. In 2017, she was the curator for the Seattle Theatre Group’s Re:definition Gallery.

Tracy Rector's Career

Tracy Rector studied Native American studies and communications at Evergreen State College. She earned her master's degree in education from Antioch University’s First Peoples Program. Her studies focused on how media can help young Native people explore who they are. She worked with young people who needed extra support.

Her first main film project was Teachings of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller. This film shared old stories in a new way. It also showed how Coast Salish communities wanted to be part of the filmmaking process. Her second full-length film was a documentary called March Point. She worked on this film with Annie Silverstein, a co-founder of Longhouse Media. Three young Swinomish filmmakers also helped. This film was about the environment. It received a special grant and was recognized by UNESCO. UNESCO saw it as an example of how Indigenous communities can work together to respond to climate change.

Tracy Rector's films have been shown at many famous places. These include the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Her work has also been seen at the Seattle Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian. Some of her films have even been shown on the PBS film series Independent Lens.

Tracy has also helped the Seattle Art Museum. She advised them on planning for their Native American art section. She also helped with a big art show called S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists. She worked as a native naturalist at the Olympic Sculpture Park. She also created learning materials for IslandWood, an environmental education center.

Films Produced by Tracy Rector

As a producer, Tracy helps make sure a film gets made. She helps with the money, planning, and overall vision. Here are some films she has produced:

• Teachings of the Tree People (2006)
• Giving Thanks (2007)
• March Point (2008)
• Canoe Pulling: A Lummi Way of Life (2008)
• Bunky Echo Hawk: Profile of a Proactive Artist (2009)
• UNRESERVED: The Work of Louie Gong (2010)
• Dos Almas (2013)
• Ronnie BoDean (2015)
• Maiden of Deception Pass: Guardian of Her Samish People (2015)
• Cedar Box Stories (2017)
• Dawnland (2018)
• Manzanar Diverted (2021)
• Outta the Muck (TBD 2021)
• Sweetheart Deal (2021)

Films Directed by Tracy Rector

As a director, Tracy guides the actors and crew. She makes the creative decisions for how the film looks and feels. Here are some films she has directed:

• Teachings of the Tree People (2006)
• Giving Thanks (2007)
• March Point (2008)
• Bunky Echo Hawk: Profile of a Proactive Artist (2009)
• UNRESERVED: The Work of Louie Gong (2010)
• Samish Canoe Journey (2014)
• Maiden of Deception Pass: Guardian of Her Samish People (2015)
• Ch'aak' S'aagi / Eagle Bone - VR (2016)
• Cedar Box Stories (2017)

Awards and Honors

Tracy Rector has received many awards for her work:

• 2008: Horace Mann Award
• 2008: Best Feature Documentary Award - ImagineNATIVE
• 2009: National Association for Media Literacy for her great work in media education
• 2011: Sundance Institute Lab Fellow
• 2014: Tribeca All Access Grantee
• 2016: Best New Digital Media Award - ImagineNATIVE
• 2016: The Stranger Genius Award
• 2017: Firelight Media Impact Producer Fellow