This talented team have produced and directed over 50 film and video productions including many Corporate Commercials along with Educational Videos & CD Roms. Their list of clients include many of Minnesota's and America's leading Corporations and Universities. Their Documentary Film "With Love and Respect" won a Golden Apple Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Cross Cultural Relations"

Their Vanguard Studios in Winona, Minnesota has a "state of the art" Digital and Recording facility and is one of the finest production studios in Southern Minn. and the Tri-State area. In addition, they have also produced over 1500 live Daily News broadcasts for HBCI News. (Winona's only live Cable TV Station.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
St. Paul Pioneer Press article, July 15, 1998 -- Indian Chief's descendents due honor as Wabasha Bridge opens
St. Paul Pioneer Press article, July 16, 1998 -- Bridge opens for next century, with blessing from a namesake
St. Paul Pioneer Press article, July 16, 1998 -- A way of making connections/hundreds attend blessing, opening of Wabasha Bridge.

Dr. Tom Eiselt, of Diversity Productions, filmed the Wabasha family reunion at Santee Reservation in Nebraska, in 1999. Diversity Productions, since 1997, has captured thousands of photographs and numerous hours of film footage of elder interviews at Dakota Pow-Wows, Reconciliation events and native family gatherings.

Diversity Productions, Inc., Mankato, MN
Dr. Tom Eiselt and Lyle Rustad have worked together for nearly a decade and merged together to co-found Diversity Productions. Tom has over 20 years of (Commercial and Non-Commercial) Video Production experience, originally producing Medical & Industrial films related to Carpal Tunnel injuries. He now serves as Diversity's Production Manager in their studio in Mankato, Minnesota. Lyle brings his 30 years of Human Services and Social Work background into the Video Production arena. He coordinated filming and assisted with the 1995 (NAIG) North American Indigenous Games (largest single gathering of Native Americans in US).

Diversity Productions was originally designed to be the production arm of the Diversity Foundation Inc. (a Minnesota 501 3c Non-Profit Organization) with its commitment to Multicultural education and improved understanding and relations between all cultures. The Wapasha Prairie & Dakota educational documentary series not only sets the prototype for the Native American Docu., but also for the African and Asian American stories and other cultural series to follow. (see/link DF website & Other projects)

In the past, Tom and Lyle have produced several videos involving Cultural Diversity Programs for Minnesota Colleges & Universities, the 25th Anniversary. of Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions, NAACP, National Indian Final Rodeos and numerous educational and promo videos involving Inner City Youth (St. Paul Police Dept.), Minority businesses and disabilities (ALS, MS etc).

They have also produced Native American videos Documenting and creating awareness of some of the abhorrent (nearly 3rd world) conditions still plaguing many of our neighboring Dakota/Lakota Indian Reservations here in the Midwest. Some of these revealed inadequate housing and education with rampant alcoholism, diabetes, poverty and suicide etc, where life expectancy is often 15 to 20 years below the Non-Native populations surrounding their reservations.

The Educational video "Matter of Conscience" produced for the Pine Ridge Reservation, increased public awareness for continued funding for low income housing, helping gain the attention & Emergency Funding from the Federal Housing Authority and the Habitat for Humanity. (It received a Nebraska Independent Film award for these efforts) Another Awareness Documentary produced for the Rosebud Sioux Reservation highlighted their inadequate schools & poor education and helped secure funds to begin making educational improvements.

Current Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary Project:
In more recent years, the Diversity group has been interviewing and documenting the Wabasha family from the Lower Sioux and other Dakota Reservations and have extensively researched their family lineage and history. Hereditary Chief Ernest Wabasha is the direct descendent of the Dakota Chiefs' Wapasha I, II & III, who were the early pre-European inhabitants of SE Minn. and Winona, Minnesota (formerly called "Wapasha's Prairie") which is the basis for the Wapasha Prairie (WP) Documentary now in production. (Jerry: link to DF Chiefs Wapasha/Other Projects).

These early Chiefs' Wapasha were considered strong warriors but were also considered respected leaders, diplomats and "Peacemakers" between their "Sioux" Dakota) people and the early French, British and American explorers who first traded with them at their Mississippi River Encampments. They were often the principal signers of "Peace" Treaties and Trade agreements, continuing to trust the Europeans despite the many lies and broken treaties they repeatedly experienced.

Likewise, their modern day Wabasha descendents have also continued to live their lives in this tradition. For well over 35 years, the Wabasha's leadership and willingness to "Reconcile and Forgive" have been instrumental in the success of the annual Mankato (MN) Powwow and Reconciliation Movement. They were also key participants with the state of Minnesota's 1987 "Year of Reconciliation" Ceremonies proclaimed by then Minn. Gov. Rudy Perpich. Recently the Wabasha's (Ernie, wife Vernell & son Leonard) were awarded the "Bridging the Gap" Award for their "Lifelong" commitment and contributions toward "Peace and Reconciliation" between the Native and Non-Native Populations. (link to 2001 "Bridging the Gap" award photo & story).

This Wapasha Prairie Documentary is merely the first episode in our Dakota/Native American Educational "Mitakuye Oyasin" Documentary series. Over the past several years, members of Diversity Foundation and Diversity Productions team have also been meeting, interviewing and photographing many other Dakota elders & survivors with the intent to tell many of their stories as well. (These include descendents of Dakota Chiefs Red Wing, Little Crow, Waanatan, Cloud Man, Big Eagle, Shakopee, Mankato, Sleepy Eye etc)


Some of the following are Dakota descendents who have agreed to serve on our Advisory team as consultants &/or as direct production personnel. The following list includes a partial list of these Advisors along with other Professional Production people that have agreed to and/or have already been assisting and collaborating with Diversity Foundation/Productions on the WP/Dakota Educational Documentary:

• Lorraine Norgaard, Scriptwriter, Independent Producer/Director of 30+ Documentaries for PBS-TV including recent Award winning Six-part historical documentary television series on the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe entitled "Waasa Inaabidaa" (We look in all Directions). Ms. Norgaard is an innovative filmmaker working in Europe and the United States, specializing in cross-cultural understanding and American Indian programming. Lorraine holds a BFA from Univ. of Illinois and MA in Communications from Univ. of Hawaii.

• Dan Bergin, Producer-Director @ Twin Cities Public Television. TPT (ch.2),St. Paul, MN Writer/Producer of 2002 Award winning Documentary on Minnesota's first African American Architect. (Wiggins). Dan was recently selected for a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship.

• John Borman, Attorney at Law, Diversity Foundation. Board member, Human Rights Advocate (see DF board of Dir. Bio)

• Hon. Tim Breza, Winona City Councilman, Strong Supporter & Advocate of DF's Wapasha Prairie Documentary (the early pre-European history of Winona, Minnesota) and GE04's WP Homecoming and Gathering).

• Jerry Carter, Writer, Journalist, St. Cloud Times, Duluth News Tribune etc. (specializing in Minority & Political issues) Web site specialist, maintains Diversity Foundations' Website! DF board member, (see DF Board of Directors Bio)

• Dr. William Crozier; (Ret) Chair of History Dept. @ St. Mary's University, Winona, MN, Historian @ Winona County Historical Society.

• Jerry Dearly, Indian Educator for St. Paul Public Schools; Popular Powwow MC, DF Advisor & "Voiceover" Talent for DF's Wapasha Prairie/Dakota Documentary series.

• Mark Diedrich; Author & Publisher of 10 Native American Books including Dakota Chiefs: Wapasha I, Red Wing, Little Crow, Wanataan etc; Artist, Songwriter; Musician; Historian (DF Advisor), also wrote 8 biographies of Dakota people for American National Biography (Oxford University). KTCA Public-TV Consultant Dakota Exile Documentary.

• Andrew Favorite, Educator; Archivist, Historian @ White Earth Reservation; (also descendent of Yankton Dakota); Diversity Foundation Consultant (see DF Consultant Bio)

• Dr. Gwen Griffin, Professor of English @ MN State Univiversity - Mankato; enrolled member Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Reservation; Author, Diversity Foundation Website & Dakota Documentary. Writer & Consultant.; (Chief Little Crow descendent.)

• Dr. Colette Hyman, Professor of History @ Winona State University; Writer; (DF Native American & GE04 advisor)

• Dr. Cindy Killian, Professor of Media and Communications @ Winona State University; (DF Native American & GE04 advisor)

• Darrell Lindquist, enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation, Ft. Totten, ND, 1987 graduate of Brown Institute specializing in Television and Commercial production. Skills include writing, cameraman, lighting, audio and editing. Darrell has worked with the Minneapolis Television Network, Alpha Video and Allied Vaughn.

• Ed Lohnes, Chairman of Diversity Foundation; Descendent of Dakota Chief Waanatan and enrolled member of Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. (see DF Board of Directors Bio)

• Dr. Cindy Linquist, Director of Indian Health and Education Services @ UND, former North Dakota state Indian affairs Commissioner, Coordinator of Diversity Foundation's Documentary and Education Committee, member of Spirit Lake Dakota Nation! Descendent of Dakota Chief Waanatan | DAKOTAH SPIRITUALITY: MY PERSPECTIVE | (see DF consultant Bio)

• Dr. Bill McNeil; Member of Diversity Foundation board; Physcian @ Winona Community Hospital; Historian; enrolled at Ft. Peck Dakota Reservation, Montana; (see DF Board of Directors Bio)

• Mayor Jerry Miller, Winona, Minnesota Mayor; Strong Supporter & Advocate of DF's Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary and GE04's WP Homecoming and Gathering. (See DF Testimonial/Letter of support)

• Mark Peterson; Director of Winona County Historical Society, Co-sponsor of DF's Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary. (See DF Testimonial/Letter of support)

• Ed RedOwl, Dakota Educator, Historian & Spiritual Leader, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribal planner, grant writer/consultant. Descendent of Dakota Chief RedOwl (founder of Soldiers Lodge & UnderChief of Wapasha)

• Larry Roof, Theatre Director/Producer; (MA Baylor University) Educator, Architect (Clemson University), Artist & Inventor, Co-Founder & Director of NC School for Autistic & Special Needs Persons, (DF Consultant/Advisor)

• Dan Satorius; (Abdo & Abdo) Entertainment Attorney for DF contracts, Social Activist

• Louis Schoen, MN Council of Churches, Dir. of Anti-Racism Council (Ret), Educator, DF Consultant & Grant Writer, (see DF Consultant Bio)

• Mike Selvage, Dakota Educator, Writer and Historian; former SWST Council member, current SWST Gaming Commissioner, Descendent of Dakota Chief Waanatan.

• Eric Sorensen, City Manager of Winona, Minnesota; Sponsor and Strong Advocate of DF's GE04's Wapasha Prairie/Dakota Homecoming & Gathering and Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary. (pre-European/Native American history of Winona)

• Rodney Steiner; Chief Wapasha direct descendent & family historian, Independent businessman, Born and enrolled member of Santee Sioux Reservation. (Nebraska) DF Elder Advisor & 2002 "Bridging the Gap" Recipient!

• Dr. John Taborn; Twin City Psychologist and founder of J. Taborn & Associates, (Ret.) Professor @ University of Minnesota; DF board of Directors & Diversity Consultant & Educator; (see DF Board of Directors Bio)

• Scott Thompson; DF Scriptwriter; TV & Film Director and Producer; current Director/Coordinator of Trempealeau County Community Television; has won several Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Awards for Excellence.

• Ernest and Vernell Wabasha (Hereditary Chief Wabasha VII) Lower Sioux Reservation; Morton, Minn.; Direct descendents of Chiefs' Wapasha I, II & III (focus of our Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary) Diversity Foundation Advisors! (see DF Website's Dakota Chiefs & 2001 BTG award)

• Leonard Wabasha (Wabasha VIII), Direct descendent of Wapasha Chiefs! Dakota Language & Cultural Educator, enrolled @ Lower Sioux Reservation; Diversity Foundation & Wapasha Prairie Educational Documentary Consultant & Advisor! 20 year computer specialist @ Honeywell Corp., Minneapolis, Minn.

• Travis Zimmerman; Diversity Foundation. board member; Director of Community Education @ Amer Indian OIC, (see DF board of Dir. Bio)


Additional Advisors and Consultants:

Duane Big Eagle, Chairman of Crow Creek Dakota Reservation, Direct descendent of Dakota Chief Big Eagle

Robert Bone, former Chief @ Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve; (Manitoba, Canada) current Director of SV Tribal Health, Rancher, Co-founder of Unity Riders. (DF advisor & Coordinator for GE04 WP/Dakota Homecoming)

Dr. Roger Bordeaux, Supt of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Reservation Schools @ Agency Village, South Dakota. Holds MA in Media and Film Productions and Phd. in Education from Univ. of S. Dakota. Dr. Bordeaux is enrolled member of the Rosebud Res. and is assisting Diversity with its Educational Interactive CD Rom and incorporation of the Wapasha Prairie/Dakota Documentary series into Indian Reservations Schools & Curriculum

Hector Bunn; Historian; Dakota elder advisor @ Sioux Valley; Canada (DF Dakota Advisor)

Betty Chalmers; Historian, Dakota Educator & Language teacher @ BirdTail Dakota Reserve, (DF advisor)

Emmitt Eastman; SWST member, Dakota elder & World Indigenous Dancer & Marathon runner; Descendent of Dr. Charles Eastman (First Native American Physician)

Barbara Frey, International Human Rights Attorney & Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, Minneapolis, MN.

Deanna Gallagher, Education Director, Minn. Advocates for Human Rights, Minneapolis, MN.

Owen Dean German; Rancher, Director of SWST Highway Maintenance @ Agency Village, S. Dak. Coordinator of USA Unity Riders (DF advisor) Chief Wapasha descendent.

Andrew Grey; Former Chairman @ Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe @ Agency Village; DF advisor (See SWST Letter of Support/Testimonial)

Melvin Grey Owl, Social Activist, Dakota Historian and Storyteller at Crow Creek Dakota Reservation; Ft. Thompson, S.Dak.
Edna Gustafson (Brien), Chief Wapasha family descendent, Healthcare professional @ Ft. Peck Dakota Reservation (Montana),

Marcie (Taylor) Halfe - Social worker, DF Dakota advisor & Granddaughter of Eli Taylor, Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve, Manitoba, Canada

Phillip Hi Eagle, Chief, Pipestone Dakota Reservation, Canada; Co-founder of Unity Riders; (DF advisor) Organizer of 1st International Lions Club ever located on an Indigenous/Indian Reservation.(@Pipestone Reserve)

Mike Hotaine, former Chief @ Sioux Valley Reserve, Dakota Historian & Cultural and Language teacher, Legendary International Powwow MC, (Diversity advisor & Dakota translator)

Reynold Howe, Historian and Educator w/ Crow Creek Dakota Nation Tribal Schools & California Public Schools (Ret); descendent of infamous Dakota artist Oscar Howe!

Ron Johnson, Writer, Director and Sound with Frozen State Productions - Films with Bite." Enrolled @ Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation.

Vern Lambert, Director of Spirit Lake Social Services, Historian, Educator, Dakota Elder/Long Distance runner

David Larsen; Historian, Dakota educator, Chief Wapasha direct descendent; former Tribal Chair. at Lower Sioux Reservation, Morton, MN (DF advisor)

Donald Laudner, (BIA retired), historian, enrolled @ Crow Creek Res, Ft. Thompson, SD, President of American Indian Veterans Assoc. (DF elder advisor)

Bud Lawrence, Co-founder (w/ Amos Owen, Dakota Spiritual Leader from Prairie Island) of annual ( 30+ years) Mankato Reconciliation & Education Powwow, (one of largest "off Rez" powwows in US) Mankato Businessman.

Dr. Elton Lawrence; Historian; former President of Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal College @ Agency Village, SD Descendent of Lorenzo Lawrence who was 1st Indian to become US Citizen & was sub-chief to Little Crow.

Chris Leath, Dakota historian and Spiritual leader @ Prairie Island Dakota Res; Language & Cultural teacher, (Diversity Foundation Advisor & Dakota Translator) descendent of Chief Red Wing and Chief Little Crow!

Ken Lohnes, Spirit Lake Casino Manager, past SL TERO Chair; Ft Totten Children & Daycare Council; Historian, descendent of Chief Waanatan, (DF Dakota advisor)

Larry Long, Songwriter, Int'l Recording Artist/Musician, Social activist, Educator, Founder of Community Celebration of Place, Director of Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song Project.

Virginia Mas; Dakota elder advisor, Cultural and language teacher; former SWST Council member; (DF Dakota Elder Advisor and Dakota Educator Translator)

Eva McKay, Native activist and educator @Sioux Valley Reserve; Indigenous Elder advisor to the Canadian Govt.

Chief Frank McKay, historian, current Chief of Dakota/Ojibwe Police Dept.; former Tribal chief @ Sioux Valley.


Billy Mills, LA, Calif. 1964 Olympic Gold Medal winner in 10,000 meter, Motivational Speaker, Advisor & Consultant, Born and raised on Pine Ridge Reservation, SD. Movie "Running Brave" based on his life story,

Elizabeth Morgan, former Cultural Resource Management Director, Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation, Ft. Totten, ND. (Diversity Fd. Dakota Elder Advisor) (see letter of support)

Sgt. Terry Morgan, Spirit Lake Dakota Police Dept.@ Ft. Totten, North Dakota, DF advisor,

Rev. Lyle Noisy Hawk; Dakota Spiritual & Cultural leader; Powwow MC; Ordained Episcopal Minister, enrolled member @ SWST, (DF Spiritual Leader & Advisor for DF's GE04 WP/Dakota Homecoming & Gathering)

Art Owen, Chiefs' Wapasha direct descendent, Prairie Island Dakota Educator, Historian & Leader. PI Buffalo herd Manager.

Myra Pearson; former Chairperson @ Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation; w/ Spirit Lake Tribal Water Resources, Ft Totten, North Dakota.

Sheldon "Wolfchild" Peters; Actor, (Dances with Wolves etc) Artist, Sculptor, enrolled @ Lower Sioux Reservation, Morton, MN

Doris Pratt, Dakota Language & Cultural teacher, Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve Schools, Manitoba, Canada (DF Dakota educator & translator)

Oliver Red Cloud, (Chief), Chairman of Laramie Treaty Commission; Elder Educator, Historian & Storyteller, Direct descendent of legendary Chief Red Cloud. (DF Advisor)

Oscar Reed, DF board of directors, former NFL Pro football w/ the Minnesota Vikings; Co-founder & Director of Twin Cities Inner City Youth Programs; (see DF Bd of Directors Bio)

Darrin Renville, writer, producer etc, enrolled SWST member .

Florenstine ("German") Kiyukanpi Renville; Writer; Magazine publisher; Enrolled @ SWST Reservation

Charles "Chuck" Robertson, Writer, Playwright, Author, Educator (see bio under DF consultants on DF website) Enrolled Dakota Member of SWST Reservation,

Dave SeaBoy, Member of SWST (SD), DF Dakota elder & historian; DF's GE04 Moccasin Game Coordinator

Aaron Keith Stewart, Professional Musician & Songwriter, past Director w/ Inner City Youth (Mpls/St Paul) and Indian Reservation Youth (Turtle Mt, ND) "Peace Studies" graduate @ St. Johns Univ.; current leader w/ Minneapolis Urban League, (DF Advisor)

Albert Taylor, Historian, Dakota language teacher @ Sioux Valley Reserve, Manitoba, Canada

Jake Thompson; Historian and Dakota Educator; former Vice Chairman of @ SWST Council, (DF Advisor)

Roger Tradeau; Chairman, Santee Dakota Reservation, Santee, Nebr.; historian and Powwow Drum/Coordinator

Floyd Westerman, LA, Calif; Actor, (played Chief in Dances with Wolves etc) Educator, Movie Producer, Singer & Social Activist,

Sen. Paul Wellstone: (In Tribute to) Paul was strong supporter of DF work & referred to DF's projects as "God's Work"! (see Paul's Letter of support & Testimonial)

James Yankton; Director of Security @ Spirit Lake Casino/Dakota Nation; Historian, DF Advisor, descendent of Dakota Chief Redhorse.