Native Film Talk

Well well well...here we are episode 20! I had guest Natalie Benally on for this one and it was a fun chat!

She is an actor/filmmaker/community advocate/dancer/choreographer and the list goes on. Most important she is all around wholesome person and advocate for accurate representation of Natives on screen. I enjoyed talking with her about why it's hard to break into Hollywood when you don't have the right look, her TikTok following, where she plans to take her career, and the overall outlook of Native representation in film and television.

Hope you all enjoyed the conversation!

"There's something out there waiting for us...it ain't no man."

Billy (Sonny Landham) died for our sins!

I have a guest, my best friend Chris! We grew up quoting this movie so much with him and my other friends, who better than him to discuss this epic film. Plus he's Navajo and this is called...Native Film Talk. It's about time we get some Natives on here so discuss the film.

Listen as we recap the character Billy, he was gushing with stereotypes but was that enough to not like this movie? Also we go discuss the representation positives, negatives, and bring it home with some talk about the upcoming Predator 5 (Which is supposed to be about Natives.) Enjoy, leave a review, and let me know what you think!

Directed by Miranda De Pencier

This 2018 film is based on the actual Grizzlies from 2005. A community that had the highest suicide rate in North America, glommed onto the game of Lacrosse. Introduced to them by a non-Native outsider Russ Sheppard. He uses the game to distract the students from their reality but also to teach them about becoming a community and not just teammates. This movie is THE Native sports movie because there are nothing but Indigenous kids acting in roles where Indigenous kids should be acting.

This is a film documents a community's struggles with youth suicide as a result of Residential School, colonialism, substance abuse, and domestic violence. While this movie paints a bleak outlook it also details how a community found hope through their youth and reconnecting them with their culture. I love this film and thank you for listening!

This 1992 movie is based on real events. Director Michael Apted also releaded Incident At Oglala, which can be a companion film to this movie, as they overlap so much.

While this is a fictional tale, it is 100% inspired by true events. There are many parallels from the American Indian Movement, involvement of the Tribal Chairperson with the U.S. Government, Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs), etc. This movie is pretty darn accurate.

Accuracy aside, this is a tale of Ray Levoi (Kilmer) who is an FBI Agent with blood connections to the Oglala Sioux. The movie takes place on their reservation, after a murder. The movie explores the civil unrest, dynamic between the government/tribe, and dives into the connection of Ray Levoi to his Native roots. This exciting murder mystery takes an solid look at Rez life from an outsider, battling with being accepted by the community and trying to come to terms with his own identity.

Come listen as I discuss the plot, positives, negatives, and final thoughts on this great film.

I had a fantastic conversation with Jay. Safe to say, he's invited to any cookout, pow wow, potluck, etc. Jay is a real one, he stuck his neck out for a message that he knew needed to be told.

That message is Charlene Teters' story from her time as a graduate student at the University of Illinois, and her opposition of the school mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

Jay is a special individual that is truly an ally for Indian Country. Listen to this conversation and hear us chat about his career almost being jeopardized by this film, why this film is his crowning achievement in his career, and also why he wouldn't make this film today.

The legendary, unparalleled, prolific, powerful, and all around amazing person...Charlene Teters.

We briefly discuss the documentary, In Whose Honor, but mostly deep dive into Charlene's time at the University of Illinois and her experience being an advocate for changing the name. Charlene discusses her evolution from being a shy girl that stayed quiet about her opinions on the Native mascot to becoming the sole advocate for changing the university mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

She has had an illustrious career and up to this point she has been an artist, activist, professor, academic dean, and icon in Indian Country. I am happy to share this conversation with you all.

While this is not directly related to film, it shows how film representation can influence reality. This documentary and conversation demonstrates how film and television frames mindsets about what Native people are and what "Honoring" looks like to non-Native people.

Enjoy this episode and join us next week when we chat about this documentary with Director Jay Rosenstein!

Oh Jeez!

This 1996 Coen Brothers film, Fargo depicts a tale of greed, self-sabotage, and authentic life in North Dakota. (Especially the accent)

While Shep Proudfoot (Steve Reevis) was only on screen for a few minutes in the film, he managed to become an iconic character in the collection of Coen Brothers films. Most famous for the epic beating he gives to Steve Buscemi.

While he doesn't wear war paint, admits he's Native, live on a reservation, or is called "Indian." Shep is a Native on screen and somehow everyone watching knew it. How did that happen?!

Listen as I explore casting of Shep Proudfoot, Native representation on screen, positives, and negatives. ALSO I will reveal did Shep actually know Carl?! If he did know him, why did he lie to Jerry? If he didn't know him, how did he know what Carl looked like when he beat him up?

Come along and listen!

This 2017 film based on the book written by Richard Wagamese tells the story of Saul Indian Horse. The story follows his life through residential school in Canada, his journey playing hockey, the racism associated with the game, and reconciling with the pain of his past.

Overall, this a powerful tale that NEEDED to be told and was told the right way, with Natives playing Saul Indian Horse and speaking Ojibwe in the film.

While at times you may want to shut off the movie, it accurately documents a crucial point in Canada's history that was long hidden from the books. Now this tale is a part of high school curriculum across the country.

This story will educate the future about what the First Nations people endured during a dark period in the nation's history while also showing the resilience and power of the indigenous people. Come listen to the episode as we go over the cast review, plot, positives, negatives, and final thoughts.

This is me looking back at the podcast thus far.

• Eleven episodes in, how do I feel about where things lie?
• Where do I see the show going?
• How do I choose a movie to review?
• "Ian you're Native, what are your thoughts on Thanksgiving?"
• "I suggested movies/tv to you, when are you going to review my recommendations?!"
• "Do you ever read what I send?"
• Last and most important...How can Native film learn from Schitt's Creek?

If you've ever thought about any of these questions, good news, this is the episode for you! Listen and let me know what you think!

Don't worry we're back on schedule next week!

HISTORY!

Wes Studi joins an amazing list of Honorary Award winners like Robert Redford, Spike Lee, Charlie Chaplan, Akira Kurosawa, James Earl Jones, and the list goes on! These people are recognized for significant achievements in their craft, over an entire career.

Wes trailblazed an impressive career where he amazed and dazzled audiences with roles like Toughest Pawnee in Dances with Wolves, Magua in The Last of the Mohicans, and Geronimo in Geronimo: An American Legend. Added depth, intelligence, and language to characters that would be represented inadequately otherwise.

Wes changed the trajectory of an industry that historically misrepresented Native Americans on screen, and is recognized for it on this night. Listen as I recap Wes's career, life, and the presenting of the award itself.

Also I explain, what the hell an actual Honorary Award (Oscar) is and why it's so significant!

Bottom line...a Native won an Oscar...get excited! Be excited and listen as I dedicate an episode to the G.O.A.T.