#NativeNerd: Indian Country’s love for ‘Reservation Dogs’

Vincent Schilling
Indian Country Today

There’s a lot of love out there for Sterlin Harjo’s and Taika Waititi’s newest FX/HULU show, “Reservation Dogs.”

And for the record, it has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100 percent Certified Fresh, myself included.

For those of you living under a rain-soaked tumbleweed for the past few months and who haven’t heard of the show, “Reservation Dogs” follows the exploits of four Native teens living on a reservation in Oklahoma.

Having lost a close friend, the four of the Native youth, Bear Smallhill, portrayed by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai; Elora Danan, portrayed by Devery Jacobs; Willie Jack, portrayed by Paulina Alexis and Cheese, portrayed by Lane Factor, get into all sorts of trouble and situations that are at times, both hilarious and tragic.

The Native youth struggle with their choices, though they steal a truck loaded with potato chips, they wonder if they might be going too far in order to get to California. Do the ends justify the means? This is the question they all strive to answer, some with and some without remorse.

If you missed my original #NativeNerd review on “Reservation Dogs,” make sure to check it out.

(See related: #NativeNerd review: ‘Reservation Dogs’)

Cool set photos

As film critics and journalists, we are often given access to a wide range of what are known as “media assets.” This is essentially a group of assets we can use in our articles such as videos, photos, actor quotes and images. There are a ton of great images that the great folks at FX/HULU shared with me, so I am thrilled to share them here as well.

Here are a bunch:

#NativeNerd review of episodes five and six:

Reservation Dogs: “Come and Get Your Love” and “Hunting”

11 out of 10

My quick quote: “My second 11 out of 10. As a Native film critic, to see exceptional Native-themed programming done flawlessly is something I could only dream of as a small brown kid living on Compton Blvd in California.”

Episode 5: “Come and Get Your Love” – Aug. 30, exclusively on FX on Hulu

Cheese goes on a ride-along with Big. Written by Sterlin Harjo; Directed by Blackhorse Lowe.

Episode 6: “Hunting” – Sept. 6, exclusively on FX on Hulu

Willie Jack and Leon go hunting. Written and Directed by Sterlin Harjo.

Nothing can get more epic than Zahn McClarnon describing Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” to the Native kid, Cheese, who had never heard of the song. Then a few minutes later have an interaction with Wes Studi standing next to a beat-up Rez truck.

This interaction could only have happened in my wildest Native dreams, and as a Mohawk, I dream a lot. This could likely be one of the most epic things I have ever seen on television next to Michael Greyeyes and Jana Schmieding tearing it up on “Rutherford Falls.”

I was literally delirious with excitement watching things unfold. I watched as the generations relayed to each other information that should be carried on. It was the epitome of Native culture, something that exists so intensely, but is rarely noticed by someone outside of the Native community.

In episode 6, Willie Jack and her dad go hunting, and since the episode hasn’t come out yet, I won’t reveal it. But there were some classic moments, the terms the white ranchers use as if there is a conversation is genius, and the most surprising of all is how seamlessly it seems to work inasmuch as it is a joke. Willie Jack sees the benefits of family, further strengthening the internal struggle of her character. It is a beautifully done episode. Just be careful in those woods folks.

And listen up Native men, you’d better behave because the deer lady is not playing around.

Funny memes and posts

To tie it all together, here are some great Reservation Dog memes and social media posts.

Joey Clift, aka Joeytainment has it right

Pickles are hot right now

Say Cheese

Watch out for the Deer Lady!

Last-minute moccasins?

Guidance from our ancestors