The breakthrough of Indigenous movies and television into mainstream media generates success while portraying honest Indigenous stories. One particular show, Reservation Dogs, illustrates modern Indigenous storytelling.
Reservation Dogs is an FX comedy series available on Hulu and Disney+. Premiering in 2021, it tells a modern-day story of four teenagers who live on a reservation in Oklahoma. But it is much more than just a simple story of Indigenous people.
The audience follows the characters as they venture through life’s highs and lows, from joy to grief. All while also learning about what it’s like to grow up on a reservation in this day and age.
What makes Reservation Dogs stand out is its balanced approach to representation. The characters are developed to be seen as more than stereotypes through their complex identities that feature different emotions and desires.
Kaylee Jacobs, a third-year majoring in Fashion and Textile Management and member of the Lumbee and Waccamaw Siouan tribes, speaks on why modern representation is important, “I think that is really important. Instead of having a representation as a caricature, it’s like a fully fleshed out character that is Native instead of just this Native person.”
Jacobs also says, “It’s also important to have stories of celebration and love and happy stories and all that kind of stuff. Because we’re more than just our pain and our struggles, so we should be celebrating all aspects of life instead of only the pain.”
Indigenous representation in American media is important as it helps to share native experiences, languages and cultural practices. It can also be a tool for education and activism by sharing true Indigenous stories that others may not know of. By incorporating proper representation, modern media works to replace the previously harmful stereotypical representations of Indigenous people.
Reservation Dogs was created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Sterlin Harjo is a Native filmmaker from Oklahoma who is part of the Seminole and Muscogee nations. Taika Waititi is a Maori and Jewish filmmaker and comedian from New Zealand.
Harjo explains that his talent for telling stories derives from his family. Harjo says, “…You can’t say that cinema is a Native American art form, but storytelling is.” The two based the show on their real-life experiences and wanted to showcase their stories through humor instead of the sadness as they are usually told.
The creators promote inclusion in many different roles, fighting significant underrepresentation in Hollywood. All of the show’s writers, directors and series regulars are Indigenous, providing ample opportunities for Indigenous creatives on the set.
The series received many nominations, including consideration for an Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award. Among its wins, a Peabody Award in the entertainment category, won in 2022.
Reservation Dogs is one example of media that showcases genuine Indigenous stories. Other creators are also working to tear down ethnic barriers in the mainstream media as well.
Jhane Myers is a film producer of the Comanche and Blackfeet nations known for bringing Indigenous art to life. She produced Prey, a prequel to Predator released in 2022. The sci-fi film follows a Comanche warrior as she fights to protect the ones she loves from a vicious predator.
Jacobs also says, “It’s just important to have representation in every single way, and not just the history because we’re still here.”
Similar to Harjo and Waititi, Myers aimed to make space for Indigenous creators. She also used her background and experiences to shape those of the characters in the movie, allowing viewers to connect with and learn about the Comanche experiences.
Viewers also have the opportunity to watch a dubbed version that incorporates the Comanche language. Prey is the first film to offer this language and allows the world to experience a new level of Comanche culture.
Modern Indigenous media, such as Reservation Dogs and Prey continue to serve the purpose of entertainment and education in both fiction and non-fiction spheres. Creators can now share their creations with a broader audience, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewers.
Indigenous people now have platforms to create share their perspectives and stories best.
