Author: Ian Skorodin

Roberto A. Jackson is a writer/director from Phoenix, Arizona, and a member of the Gila River Indian Community. He directed his first screenplay, “Indios Primeros,” after winning the Creative Spirit Short Screenplay Contest (InterTribal Entertainment) in 2009. In 2015, he released the full-length feature film “In Circles,” with his brother and partner, Claude A. Jackson,… Read more »

Emma Barrow is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She comes from a family of artists and has a BFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts. Her writing often centers complex intergenerational family dynamics and her goal is to amplify Indigenous stories and voices. She is the Northwest Screenwriters Guild 2021 Stowe Story… Read more »

Lewayne “Buddy” McQueen (Ely Shosone Tribe)has been performing improv for over a decade and produced his own improv show for over eight years. He was part of the award winning Alibi The Show in Las Vegas and made it to the semi-finals of Four Directions talent search. He has a BFA in film and digital media from University of… Read more »

Meilani Wenska (Hawaiian) attended the Kamehameha Schools, where Hawaiian culture, music, writing, and dance are built into the curriculum. She received her BA degree in painting, worked professionally as a graphic designer for years and began selling her art prints successfully online. Expanding her horizons, Meilani found a deep passion screenwriting, directing, and acting. Her written… Read more »

Kat Smith (Eagle Clan of the Tsimshian Tribe) has a strong performing arts background. By the time she was getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater under the Study of Dr. Terry Converse, Directing for the Stage, she had already studied Strasberg’s technique, Improv and produced over 60 shorts for her High School television production. She comes from an… Read more »

Julia Morgan Leatham (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) is a writer from Los Angeles, California. She is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation with lineage through the Wild Potato clan. A multi-media creator, Julia first found passion for writing and performance art through spoken word poetry and drag. Her written poetry and visual artwork is forthcoming… Read more »

Camaray Davalos (Payómkawichum/Xicana) graduated from Humboldt State University in 2018, majoring in Native American Studies. Using creative non-fiction as well as fiction, she has engaged readers by covering Indigenous social and environmental issues, as well as the complexities of gender roles and identity. In 2020 she won the Native Voices 10th Annual Short Play Festival… Read more »

Sienna Tso (Navajo) is a writer and actress born and raised in Arizona. Sienna graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Media Studies. After graduating, she worked as an office production assistant on films and TV shows such as Marvel’s “Venom II”, A24/Apple TV’s “The Sky… Read more »

Neyom Friday (Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma) is an experienced writer based in Manhattan Beach, California. Neyom has a Liberal Arts and Film Studies degree from Santa Monica College and Certificates in Screenwriting (TV and Feature Film) from UCLA. Much of the influence Neyom draws upon as a writer comes from her youth when she attended… Read more »

Christopher York (Choctaw/Chickasaw) is a writer/teacher/artist who is inspired by history, both collective and personal.  As a writer, Chris has been involved with a previous reality show project that won the 2013 Producer’s Guild Award.  Since 2015 he has taught at East Central University as an adjunct English professor. Chris received his undergraduate degree at… Read more »