“Filmmakers have the power to heal the past by telling their stories.” – Haile Gerima.

I began acting at age five, stepping into an industry that often boxed Native people into narrow, clichéd roles. In those early days, I accepted every part, unaware that I was sometimes helping to reinforce those same stereotypes.

During a fashion shoot, I once wore a Native headdress. I thought of it as art, but later understood the harm in taking sacred items out of their true context, even as a Native person. That experience changed how I view representation.

While studying film and media, I noticed how often Native stories were told without our voices. That realization changed me. I turned to filmmaking to speak up and reclaim our stories, using the camera to challenge old narratives and encourage healing.

I write, produce, direct, and edit films that center Native characters. Through collaborative visual storytelling, I champion our presence, weaving memory, identity, and truth to connect generations with our stories.

I believe stories can challenge, inspire, and bring about change. As a filmmaker, my goal is to amplify Native voices, so we are seen in all our complexity and humanity.

Stories can heal, especially the ones we are brave enough to tell.