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.
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.
Let's support our local youth!
07/24/2025
We built a thing.
05/27/2025
Thank you to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Washington Department of Ecology for hosting us at the 2025 Brownfields Conference. It was an honor to speak on the storytelling panel and to hear Director Casey Sixkiller's speech on leadership and finding good partners.
04/27/2025
We are known for our water. So when our neighbors at LOTT invited us for a tour of their facility to show us the life cycle of water, we jumped at the chance. The things they are doing are next-level.
04/25/2025
Met the other Sky Bear that always shows up when we Google ourselves ;). Sky Bear Brewery & Pub - Thanks for the great lunch, cool merch, and epic mountain trip tips! 🍻 😋 🐻 ⛰️
04/24/2025
Sky Bear has been nominated for the Best of the South Sound award in the Video Production category. We need your support to secure a win. Please cast your vote for us under Services > Video Production at https://www.votesouthsound.com/. For those who are truly passionate, remember you can show your support daily by voting once every day!
04/23/2025
There are so many reasons why we are proud to call Olympia home.
Visit Experience Olympia & Beyond Visitor & Convention Bureau to learn more about what makes Olympia so great!
POV: You created a beautiful set for your next interview✨
04/16/2025
We took a road trip down south to capture the WSSDA Convening!
This critical meeting provides resources and road maps for school districts and directors to build relationships with tribal leaders and communities. Panels provided a space for conversation between tribal members, school directors, and students.
Learn more about the important work Washington State School Directors' Association is doing by following them on facebook and visiting thier website!
We are back at it again with Interfaith Works (Thurston County, WA)!
This time, we recorded as their navigation team discussed their various strategies for supporting individuals who face housing challenges in Thurston County.
Follow Interfaith Works (Thurston County, WA) to learn more about how they continue to support the unhoused community with commitment and respect.
Language is truely the heart of culture, nurturing a deep sense of pride and belonging with in us.
Each language carries with it unique stories, songs, traditions, family ties, and histories that connect us all to one another. We encourage you to take a moment to greet someone in your own language today. It's a beautiful way to honor your herriatage and strengthen those bonds.
Feel free to share your indigenous greetings in the comments—Lets celebrate our diverse greetings together!
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sky Bear Media posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
