Empowering Culture through Storytelling
Welcome to Wōrak Horak Youth Organization, where we're not just teaching filmmaking - we're igniting a cultural revolution. Our mission? To transform the lives of Native youth through the power of film. We don't merely educate; we empower, inspire, and cultivate the next generation of Native storytellers.
Through our innovative dual-approach model, we offer an immersive 9-week summer film program, as well as a 4-month Apprenticeship program for Winnebago youth. Alongside professional video production, photography, and creative consulting services.
We're not just preserving our rich cultural heritage; we're revolutionizing how it's shared. By bridging the gap between Native youth and tribal elders, we're enabling a new generation to capture, share, and perpetuate our stories in ways that are both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.
Imagine a future where Native narratives are no longer defined by outdated stereotypes, but by the authentic voices of our youth. That's the future we're building at Wōrak Horak.
Our Services
Help young storytellers grow and flourish with our engaging 10-week filmmaking program designed specifically for aspiring creatives. Spark their creativity and build invaluable skills as participants enthusiastically capture their unique ideas on camera. We proudly provide comprehensive video production services for various organizations, enhancing visual storytelling while simultaneously supporting our youth filmmakers—an essential part of our revenue also funds and sustains our impactful youth filmmaking program.
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Unlock your high schooler's creativity with our 9-week summer film production program! They will learn filmmaking from start to finish, focusing on storytelling in Native communities. This program develops critical thinking and teamwork skills in a fun, creative setting. If your teen loves the arts, this is a unique chance to enhance their skills. Don't miss out on sparking their passion for filmmaking and storytelling.
Each of our youth cohort have the opportunity to grow creative and/or technical skills in whichever role they gravitate towards. Having the chance to produce their own short film or media project.
Contact us to learn how they can get started!
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We are also apart of Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s Apprenticeship Program!
By the end of the Wōrak Horak Youth Apprenticeship, participants will have foundational R&D skills, hands-on film production experience, and improved creativity and critical thinking. Working in small production teams, apprentices will evaluate media needs in the Winnebago community and create a creative brief for a tribal program video while learning client collaboration in a professional setting.
Apprentices rotate through roles—preproduction, camera/sound, directing, editing—and are introduced to film business skills: pitching, distribution, branding, and marketing. Guided units in graphic design and photography broaden media career awareness and show how media arts can uplift Native representation and serve community priorities.
The program concludes with Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s Apprenticeship ceremony. Each youth gives a final presentation on their experience and its impact on their education or career goals, refining professional presentation skills and preparing to pursue community-focused media work.
Meet our 2026 Youth Apprentices
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Josiah Morgan
2026 Ho-Chunk, Inc. Apprentice
"My name is Josiah Morgan, I come from the Thunder clan of the Winnebago tribe. I was born & raised in Omaha Nebraska for seven years until I moved up north to Winnebago, Nebraska. My mother and I moved up there to be closer to family and the cost of living was cheaper. My mother’s name is Altha Morgan alongside my grandfather and grandmother, Dwight Morgan and Pearl Morgan. I attend school at Winnebago Public Schools as a senior, and my projected graduation date is in May 9th, 2026.I work at Dollar General as a sales associate, and help my grandparents when asked. I like to weightlift, learn new things, help people, and watching movies. Some of my favorite movies are Interstellar, Avengers: Infinity War, and Bo Burnham’s: Inside. These are just some of the movies I like.
I joined film making & writing to learn more about how to film, write, what goes into film making, and to use camera equipment. I have found an interest in editing videos, so I thought this would align with my goals. Currently I am learning about what goes into film-making and exploring the Three-Act Structure.
By the end of this program I would like to learn how to edit a film, writing a film, and how to use camera equipment."
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Kaevyn Harden
2026 Ho-Chunk, Inc. Apprentice
"My name is Kaevyn (Hąppįmąnįga), and I’m in my Senior year of high school. I am a member of the Buffalo Clan, and my grandparents are Fran Sharpback and Fred Harden. Previously, I worked with Worak Horak during their summer youth program, during which, I was granted the opportunity to create a music video during the Summer Youth Employment Program. Something that surprised me about filmmaking was the amount of preproduction needed. What I loved most about the program was the creative freedom I had with the audio editing and soundtrack. One of my favorite films is Nope (2022). One thing I hope to take away from this program is to refine my audio mixing and mastering skills."
Waking Up (short film) Directed by Josiah Morgan
Mon, Mar 2, 2:14 PM
Mentor Note: Josiah’s goals for our first ever Apprenticeship program collaboration was to learn how to his knowledge in film production and understand the process. Also to gain new work experiences.
The above project was filmed during the weekend of his birthday.
HoChunk Brain Rot (series) Produced by: Kaevyn Harden
Kaevyn is an alumni from our 2025 Summer Youth Film Camp cohort. He joined our 2026 Apprenticeship program collaboration through the Ho-Chunk Inc. Apprenticeship program.
He was tasked to produced a jingle for our YouTube Shorts Series called “HoChunk Brain Rot”.
Short Film & Media Projects
Repetition (short film) Directed by Josiah Morgan
“What inspired me to make this film was the previous experiment video that I made. With its weird dream-like state video, I wanted to make another one. but connecting the two together. The easiest thing was getting the idea to combine the two. The most challenging part is editing, thinking about how I'm going to deliver this mini-film project, and getting the right camera shots. The story is about a person going through the same mundane routine. It has a sense of eerie and mystery. Some people go throughout their day as just another, I tried to invoke this feeling with the music choice and lighting.”
FEATURED SHORT FILMS
Cookies
(Short Narrative Film)
Byzantium
(A Music Video Production)
Uncle
(A Short Animatic Draft)
TRAILER
Taking Back Our Voice - Directed by Tylie Chilson, 2024 Summer Youth Film Cohort
This story follows one person’s account of their traumatic experience at an indian boarding school, during a crucial time in Native American history. Learn about the effects of intergenerational trauma.
TRAILER
Horuną (Wisdom of Hochunk Elders) - Directed by Gia Scott, 2024 Summer Youth Film Cohort
Short documentary that follows three Winnebago tribal elders, as they share what life was like in the community years ago. Also sharing teachings passed down through generations, and why it’s important to find balance of walking in “two worlds”.
TRAILER
Cookies - Written & Directed by Lula Decora
A Native American college student, grieving the loss of her grandmother, is suddenly hit with the craving for the comforting Hopi cookies. When she discovers she doesn’t know the recipe, she embarks on an internal journey of trial and error to recreate the cherished treat – and find a sense of healing in the process.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!