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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Stepfanie Kramer, Adam Beach and DreamWorks SKG will be among the honorees at the First Americans in the Arts 11th Annual Award Presentations and Dinner. This yearly tribute to the American Indian entertainers will be MC'd by actor and award recipient Wes Studi on Saturday, February 8, 2003 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Winners in the film performance categories are Adam Beach for MGM's Windtalkers, Michelle St. John for Business of Fancy Dancing by FallsApart Productions, Peter Henry Arnatsiaq and Sylvia Ivalu, both for the indie film, Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (Lot 47 Films). Best acting awards in television go to Wes Studi for PBS' Skinwalkers on American Mystery Theater, Stepfanie Kramer for NBC's TV movie Hunter: Return to Justice, Saginaw Grant for Skinwalkers, Shiela Tousey for Skinwalkers, Gill Birmingham for Pax's Body and Soul, and Wes Studi for NBC's UC:Undercover. A Newcomer's award goes to Roger Willie for his role in MGM's Windtalkers.

Chris Eyre will receive two directing awards, one for the indie film, Skins (Grandview Pictures) and one for PBS' Skinwalkers. Outstanding Achievement in Writing (screenplay) goes to Sherman Alexie for The Business of Fancy Dancing (FallsApart Productions). Derek Miller receives this year's Music Award for Music is the Medicine and Lifetime Achievement awards go to Sammy Thurman (Stunts) and Tom Bee (Music).

FAITA's trustees will continue their tradition of recognizing special individuals or organizations for their contributions to the Native Performing Arts Community. Among these awardees are Dave Robb, who will receive the Humanitarian Award and The Thunderbird Theater receiving the Will Sampson Memorial Award. Trustee award go to DreamWorks SKG and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

For ticket information, telephone 323-478-1784 or send e-mail to: information@firstamericans.org.