Variety hosted its inaugural Indigenous Storytelling in Entertainment Breakfast on June 5 in Los Angeles. The event included insightful conversations with Indigenous and Native creators, talent, and industry executives such as “Reservation Dogs” showrunner Sterlin Harjo, Bird Runningwater from “Fancy Dance,” Kali Reis from “True Detective” (who was joined by co-star Isabella Star LaBlanc and showrunner Issa López) and many more. The program highlighted Indigenous storytelling and the achievements of Indigenous communities in film and TV and even included a surprise message from director James Cameron.
The event also explored how the industry is faring in creating opportunities for Indigenous talent on and off-screen. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Indigenous Native Americans becoming U.S.
citizens, as President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, inspired by the high rate of American Indian enlistment during World War I. The first panel of the day highlighted the creative achievements of Indigenous communities in film and TV. Bird Runningwater, executive producer of the upcoming Lily Gladstone-starring film “Fancy Dance,” discussed his experience in the entertainment industry.
For 20 years, Runningwater ran the Sundance Institute’s commitment to Indigenous Filmmakers, guiding new generations of Native and Indigenous filmmakers through the Institute’s Lab and Sundance Film Festival. “I was trying to make a lot of noise w.
