CREATING PATHWAYS FOR NATIVE CREATIVES

The entertainment industry has historically excluded Native peoples from its creative processes, typically only bringing us in to portray inaccurate characterizations and harmful stereotypes. In recent years, we’ve seen a significant shift in the desire and demand for Native-led and Native-authored stories. To build and maintain this momentum, IllumiNative worked with several industry leaders to create career pathways for Native writers, directors, and producers by providing them with the resources and opportunities to succeed.

Credit: Tecpatl Kuauhtzin (Nawa from the original pueblo of Kwawximalpan)

NETFLIX PRODUCERS PROGRAMS

In partnership with Netflix, IllumiNative created the first of its kind year-long training program to support a cohort of Native producers in advancing their careers. Eight producers were selected from a pool of nearly 400 applicants, and they worked on developing a current project by attending monthly workshops with industry experts and accessing network-building opportunities with mentors and leaders in the industry. Each fellow received a $25,000 fellowship to support their work.

Cohort participants included:

  • Ashley Browning (Pueblos of Pojoaque)
  • Taylor Hensel (Cherokee)
  • Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Neets’aii Gwich’in)
  • Ivan MacDonald (Blackfeet)
  • Coyote Park (Yurok)
  • Blake Pickens (Chickasaw)
  • Mato Standing Soldier (Oglala Lakota)
  • Scott W. Kekama Amona (Kanaka Maoli)