"AS LONG AS  EARTH  ABIDES"
music  & lyrics by Joseph  Bruchac & John Kirk
vocals - John Kirk - Joseph & Jesse Bruch
harmonica - Phil Moyer

Joseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, NY. Although his American Indian heritage is only a part of his ethnic background, Joe's native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers. Visit: josephbruchac.com

 

Dear Native Colleagues,

It gives me great satisfaction to recommend Phil Moyer as a film producer who is intent on seeing an exciting true-to-life Native story come to the big screen in an honorable way. After receiving a copy of the book, The Last Algonquin, I began to see the cinematic importance of the story, and joined Mr. Moyer's vision to help see the process through. I have found Phil Moyer to be highly respectful of Native cultures, and of equal importance, to have an honest curiosity about Native people that results in collaborative friendships that encourage growth and opportunity. I, myself, consider Phil to be a personal friend whom I respect.

As a working professional, I keep my ear to the ground for American Indian projects that are artistically satisfying while always upholding our tribal sovereignty. It is a serious business in the arts to make sure that our Native citizenship along with our sovereign rights are maintained, especially in projects that influence how Native people are perceived in the media. As Native people solely determine our own citizenship, it is vital that filmmakers collaborate closely with Indian people on media projects that affect how we are publicly portrayed.
Therefore, it came as a wonderful surprise when Phil Moyer introduced me to the story of "Joe" Two Trees of the Wappinger Nation, and Joe's sharing of traditional knowledge with a young boy scout in what is now the largest public park in New York City. After researching the story myself and consulting with a senior linguist about the Wappinger language contained in the book, Dr. Carl Masthay, I am convinced that The Last Algonquin is absolutely a true story. The chronicle of Two Tree's life is incredibly cinematic and compelling.

 

I personally and professionally endorse this film project, and already have agreed to compose the film's musical soundtrack. As an enrolled citizen of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation, Wisconsin, I am pleased to introduce you to Mr. Phil Moyer, who brings with him the astounding life story of a man who though he was the last Wappinger alive, and of the young boy who heard his final story. It was a real honor to experience this book, and come to understand Phil's intense commitment to developing the film version in collaboration with Native people. I enthusiastically recommend him to you.

Sincerely,


Brent Michael Davids