Author: Ian Skorodin

Autumn Cavender is a multi-disciplined force: mother, midwife, activist, and artist. Her artistic journey began with a quillwork apprenticeship, studying Dakota design, aesthetics, and methodology. She transitioned into multimedia and digital art in 2020, inspired by the possibilities of generative and AI art. Fascinated by blending Dakota design with digital tech, she pioneered the technique… Read more »

     Chris Carrea is an award-winning filmmaker from the Mohawks of Akwesasne and St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. Her work has been screened at several film festivals including Toronto Film Festival, Slamdance, Claremont Ferrand, IDFA, and more. Her films have also been shown in art museum exhibits around the world, including Los Angeles County Museum… Read more »

Natalie Benally is born into the Grey Streaked Ends Clan and born for the Red Running into Water Clan. Her Maternal Grandparents are the Zuni Pueblo Clan and her Paternal Grandparents are the Water’s Edge Clan. Growing up on the Navajo Reservation, Natalie had an immense love for the Arts. However, the lack of performing… Read more »

     Stanley grew up on the Navajo Reservation, in Indian Wells, Arizona. Growing up, when he was not tending to chores or herding sheep for his grandparents, Stanley spent time playing with his siblings and cousins. Stanley’s imagination bloomed, and with the family’s small 19-inch television and the creation of the VCR, he became… Read more »

Kris Crenwelge (Choctaw), most recently a staff writer on the CBS action-adventure spy comedy True Lies, was a fellow in the 2023 Native American Showrunner Program, the 2022 Disney Writing Program, and previously wrote on Spirit Rangers (Netflix), nominated for seven Children’s and Family Emmys. An instructor for the 2024 Native Media Apprenticeship Program, Kris… Read more »

Matthew Rochester is a Native American writer and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Born and raised in the Smoky Mountains, he comes from humble beginnings, seeing the trials and tribulations of drug abuse, domestic violence, and fanatic religion. Rising through, Matthew now holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and Film Studies from UNCW, studied film in the… Read more »

Growing up surrounded by nature and a large tribal influence in Fairbanks, Alaska; David has always had a deep connection to his indigenous roots. Quickly entering the entertainment world after his schooling, David hit the ground running by writing and producing his own content. Having a few features, web shorts, and even a series under… Read more »

Stefan Perez is a Coast Miwok, Latino filmmaker based in Sonoma County, California. His small videography business keeps him busy while his filmmaking collective, Flat Quack Films, keeps him busier. The original plan of becoming an actor ended when Stefan discovered the power of filmmaking during an acting class assignment in high school. The class… Read more »

Maddox Pennington (they/he) is a nonbinary writer, professor, and stand-up comic originally from the Cherokee Nation; they received an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia University, and their debut bibliomemoir, A Girl Walks Into a Book: What the Brontes Taught Me About Life, Love, and Women’s Work was published by Hachette Books in 2017. Currently… Read more »

Michelle Hernandez is a Wiyot and Latina filmmaker. She grew up on the Table Bluff Reservation, where she found her love for filmmaking. She has a Masters in Film and Electronic Media at American University in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. at Humboldt State in both Film and Native American Studies. Her work often focuses… Read more »