Native Actors and Filmmakers : Visual Storytellers

Discover the unique lives and career paths of 12 Indigenous people who are actively working in the complex entertainment industry, either in front of or behind the camera. In addition to acting, their work includes motion picture, television and digital production in such roles as director, producer, writer, cinematographer and editor. Included in these biographies are real-world descriptions of what each member of a production team does, as well as advice on what it takes to get started in the entertainment industry. The glossary in the back of the book highlights the terminology used in TV/film production, and the list of resources provides a variety of ways to obtain additional information about the industry. B/W photos.

Irene Bedard: Inupiat, Yupik, Inuit, Cree, Métis actor

Tantoo Cardinal: Métis, Cree, Dene, Nakota actor

Christopher Nataanii Cegielski: Diné (Navajo) writer, producer and director

Sydney Freeland: Diné (Navajo) writer and director

Kimberly Norris Guerrero: Colville actor, writer, producer and educator

Michael Horse: Yaqui actor

Jack Kohler: Hupa actor, producer, director and educator

Doreen Manuel: Secwepemc/Ktunaxa producer, director and educator

Alanis Obomsawin: Abenaki producer and director

Randy Redroad: Cherokee writer, director and editor

Gilbert Salas: Indigenous Mexican-American cinematographer and director of photography

Ian Skorodin: Choctaw writer and director

Award-winning writer and filmmaker Gary Robinson (Choctaw/Cherokee descent) has worked most of his life to create Indigenous content in dozens of Indigenous educational, informational, and documentary television projects. He is the author of sixteen books, including eight books for teens in the PathFinders series. Gary lives in Santa Ynez, California.