- Details
- By Levi Rickert
ONEIDA NATION, Wisc. — Rick Hill, the former tribal chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, spent the last three years of his life working to get "Bright Path: The Jim Thorpe Story” produced. Hill walked on suddenly early Friday. He was 66.
Hill was one of the executive producers of "Bright Path: The Jim Thorpe Story." In late October, he attended the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention in Albuquerque, N.M. to raise funds for the film project. He was looking forward to being in Rapid City, South Dakota for the 43rd Annual Lakota Nation Invitational to continue to work on the film.
On Friday evening, Pictureworks Entertainment, the company producing "Bright Path: The Jim Thorpe Story," issued the following statement:
”We at Pictureworks Entertainment are mourning the loss of Rick Hill, our brother, our colleague and our dearest friend. Our hearts go out to Rick’s children, his brother and sister, the entire Hill family and the Oneida Nation during this difficult time.
For the past three years, Rick has dedicated himself to serving as an Executive Producer on “Bright Path: The Jim Thorpe Story” a major motion picture film project. Without his leadership, hard work and commitment to tell Jim Thorpe’s story accurately we would not be as far along on the project as we are today. Rick strongly believed in telling the true story of Jim Thorpe and correcting the depiction Hollywood portrayed of Jim in the early 1950s.
Pictureworks Entertainment is dedicated to continuing to work on this film in truthfulness and integrity to honor both of these strong Indian warriors, Rick Hill and Jim Thorpe.
Forever Rick, you will be with us in our hearts.”
Nedra Darling, Executive Producer
Chris Taylor, Executive Producer
Abraham Taylor, Producer
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
NDAA passes House; Lumbee Fairness Act Advances
NFL, Vikings to Host Native All-American Game, Youth Flag Clinic
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Passes 12 Bills to Strengthen Tribal Communities
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
