Sky Bear Media, LLC is a South Sound video production and media education service. Thus, writing, producing, and directing his own short films became paramount.
Founder/Owner of Sky Bear Media, LLC, Jeff Barehand is a citizen of the Gila River Indian Community, his fatherʼs people, but retains rich memories of years spent growing up on the Navajo reservation, his motherʼs tribe. Opportunity was the driving force behind his parentʼs decision to relocate to Phoenix and the eventual gift that allowed him to find the Arts. In high school he found himself unex
pectedly in the audience of a touring Broadway musical. He was mesmerized by the theatrics and drama of the spectacle and was immediately captivated. Since, he has continued to pursue that palpable emotional sensation that acting and singing allow, that feeling of being alive. Acting classes ensued at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and a resume began to grow in parts in television, film, and stage. He had a lead role in MSNBCʼs docudrama “Conviction,” was a featured extra in Warner Brothersʼ film “The Visiting,” and originated on stage the musical role of “Stormheart,” in Roger Penycateʼs premiere production of “Laughing Daughter,” in Washington DC. But disillusioned by the lack of and types of roles offered Native Americans, he wanted more. With acting and photography experience, working behind the camera was second nature. He found guidance at the ABC/Disney intensive summer film workshop at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe where he crewed four other film projects and produced and directed his own short film which played at the Native Cinema Showcase in Sante Fe and the Albuquerque Film Festival. Jeff went on to found the Olympia Film Collective (www.olyfilm.com) to help solidify a vibrant and working, local filmmaking community in the Northwest's Sound Sound. He is excited to be working with the OFC to be making professional quality film productions showcasing the local area and its talent. With his help, the OFC was able to win two major awards at the Tacoma 72 Hour Film Competition: Best Film and Best Use of Dialogue. Recently, he was named a 2013 Sundance Institute Film Fellow and will be developing a short film entitled "End of the Road," about the dangers Navajo Policemen face patrolling the vast and remote Navajo Nation, with the Institute's guidance. Jeff is also a Board Member for Seattle's Red Eagle Soaring: Native Youth Theatre, which teaches Native children to find and elevate their voice with confidence, clarity, and strength. Jeff is also excited to announce that he has been cast as Joly in Tacoma Musical Playhouse's production of "Les Miserables," the show that started his lifetime affinity of the musical theatre. Jeff is married to Shana, and together, they have five children. He resides in Olympia, WA.
12/02/2025
Keep film in WA! Our state film incentive program supports the development of our creative economy providing jobs and opportunity all while putting money back into our local businesses when productions spend their production dollars to house, feed, & build for their projects. It also showcases our state as a destination. Our incentive is comparably quite small nationally, but proving to be necessary and useful. Continue to support WashingtonFilmworks!
🚂 Washington Filmworks incentive project “Train Dreams” is NOW AVAILABLE on Netflix! We’re so excited for everyone to see this love letter to Washington State’s incredible locations.
✨ Train Dreams Film
11/12/2025
Setting up for interviews today. We got the indoor space for your film production needs. Check us out!
10/14/2025
There is a flash sale for RES2026 registrations through Oct 23rd! Get them while you can!
Save the date for March 23 - 26!RES2026 Registration:https://res.ncaied.org/ FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS:TikTok: Facebook: :
10/09/2025
We were very sad to hear this news of our friend’s passing. We share NCAIED’s grief and gratitude for Ernie’s good work elevating Native business. He will be missed. 👊🏾
We honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Ernie Stevens Jr., a devoted advocate, mentor, and friend whose impact will forever live on within Indian Countr...
10/09/2025
Representing at the National Indian Education Association’s annual conference and tradeshow in Spokane, WA! Stop on by at Booth 342.
09/15/2025
Is this what they call the "flow" state?
always keeps it flowing like water on set
09/09/2025
Yesterday was a bitter sweet day for Sky Bear. It was our wonderful Producer, Videographer, and Editor .dineen's last day in office.
Rachael has been with Sky Bear since 2022, and has been an invaluable member of the crew since day one. Her strength, curiosity, and endless pursuit of the betterment of her craft have continuously pushed us to greater and greater heights. She has seen Sky Bear grow from a small team of just four people, to eight full time employees, and dozens of contractors. She has helped us grow in more ways than we could have imagined.
It’s not goodbye forever. Rachael is still going to contract with us, but she’ll no longer be an everyday presence within our office.
Though she will be missed everyday, we are elated for her to take the next steps in her journey, and we know that no matter where she goes, she will make that place better, stronger, and brighter than it ever was before.
Thank you for everything, Rachael. Know that you’ll always have a home here. Once a Sky Bear, always a Sky Bear. We’ll miss you.
08/07/2025
Sky Bear Media has recorded many productions for Ballet Northwest and have been especially honored to capture some very cool behind-the-scenes footage from the wings. We have become fans of the art form, and truly appreciate the dedication and hard work these young people endure to make it look so beautiful.
This is Briana performing "Arabian" in Ballet Northwest's Sleeping Beauty at the The Washington Center for the Performing Arts last spring.
Make sure to catch their upcoming 55th Anniversary Celebration Performance featuring Carnival of the Animals, choreographed by BNW alumna and Ballet Idaho soloist Ashley Baker, Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the The Washington Center.
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Co-Owner of Sky Bear Media Jeff Barehand is a citizen of the Gila River Indian Community, his fatherʼs people, but retains rich memories of years spent growing up on the Navajo reservation, his motherʼs tribe. Opportunity was the driving force behind his parentʼs decision to relocate to Phoenix and the eventual gift that allowed him to find the Arts.
In high school he found himself unexpectedly in the audience of a touring Broadway musical. He was mesmerized by the theatrics and drama of the spectacle and was immediately captivated. Since, he has continued to pursue that palpable emotional sensation that acting and singing allow, that feeling of being alive.
Acting classes ensued at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and a resume began to grow in parts in television, film, and stage. He had a lead role in MSNBCʼs docudrama “Conviction,” was a featured extra in Warner Brothersʼ film “The Visiting,” and originated on stage the musical role of “Stormheart,” in Roger Penycateʼs premiere production of “Laughing Daughter,” in Washington DC.
But disillusioned by the lack of and types of roles offered Native Americans, he wanted more. Thus, writing, producing, and directing his own short films became paramount. With acting and photography experience, working behind the camera was second nature.
He found guidance at the ABC/Disney intensive summer film workshop at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe where he crewed four other film projects and produced and directed his own short film which played at the Native Cinema Showcase in Sante Fe and the Albuquerque Film Festival.
He was named a 2013 Sundance Institute Film Fellow and is developing a short film entitled "End of the Road," about the dangers Navajo Policemen face patrolling the vast and remote Navajo Nation.
Jeff is also a Board President for Seattle's Red Eagle Soaring: Native Youth Theatre, which teaches Native children to find and elevate their voice with confidence, clarity, and strength.
Riley Gibson grew up in California, the eldest son in a family of teachers. Wanting to experience a different climate, Riley decided to immediately move to Saint Paul, Minnesota after high school.
Attending courses at Macalester College, Riley Studied Experimental Film and Media Studies. He also learned how to survive cold winters, enjoy casserole, and discover precious items at flea markets. Learning that his degree was basically useless, he took a job teaching ESL in the Gangwon-Do province of South Korea, 20 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. After two years in South Korea, Riley moved back to the Continental U.S. to attend Graduate School at Ohio University. While in school, Riley won several international awards for his music video, The Flying Saucer Film.
After graduating with an MFA in Film Production, Riley moved to Olympia Washington with his girlfriend and Australian Shepherd. In the 6 years that he has lived in Washington he has made hundreds of short films, dozens of documentaries, and even one feature length narrative. Riley currently sits on the board of the Olympia Film Collective and teaches Video Editing at South Puget Sound Community College.
The Olympia Film Collective is a filmmaker’s non profit dedicated to increasing digital media literacy to underserved communities, and increasing the role of women and POC in the film industry.
