In late June, it was announced that Reservation Dogs would be ending after its third season. Co-creator Sterlin Harjo shared the news in an Instagram post, expressing the difficulty of the decision. He acknowledged that most television and film depictions of Native people have been inaccurate and untruthful. However, Reservation Dogs has been different. It has provided a unique and authentic perspective on Indigenous people and their culture. Harjo celebrated the fact that the show was entirely written, directed, and starred Native people.
The announcement came as a surprise to Cree-Métis director Danis Goulet, who had directed episodes for the show’s third season. She expressed her happiness that the show was able to end on its own terms, as it had been incredibly impactful for many viewers. Reservation Dogs, along with other shows like Rutherford Falls and Spirit Rangers, marked a significant push for Native and Indigenous storytelling in modern television. These shows focused on peoples, cultures, and communities that had often been relegated to the past in Hollywood’s portrayals.
Reservation Dogs and the now-cancelled Rutherford Falls provided working opportunities for Native and Indigenous talent in the industry. Despite the news of Reservation Dogs’ conclusion, it doesn’t mean the end of Indigenous storytelling. Goulet believes that the show has set a new bar and proven the value and marketability of Native stories to a broad audience. This success should open doors for more Native storytellers to helm their own projects.
Goulet, who has been in the industry for years, knows firsthand the challenges faced by Native storytellers. Earlier in her career, there was a lack of support and belief in the value of Indigenous stories. However, Reservation Dogs’ success came with the support of co-creator Taika Waititi, an Oscar-winning filmmaker who has championed Indigenous-led projects. Goulet emphasized the need for mentorship and opportunities for Native talent to showcase their abilities and tell their own stories.
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Reservation Dogs has made a profound impact on both audiences and the film community. It has received critical acclaim and demonstrated the potential of Native storytelling. Goulet believes that the talent is there; it just needs the opportunity and support to thrive. The success of Reservation Dogs has shown what is possible when Native storytellers are given the platform to shine.
While the industry is currently grappling with strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, Goulet sees it as a necessary reckoning. These strikes aim to ensure that creatives, including Indigenous talent, are fairly compensated for their work. Goulet expressed her full solidarity with the strikes and emphasized the importance of addressing the systemic issues within the industry.
Looking ahead, Goulet has no doubt that those who worked on Reservation Dogs are capable and prepared to move on to new projects. However, she hopes that the end of Reservation Dogs won’t mean the end of opportunities for Native and Indigenous storytellers. The success of the show should inspire the industry to continue investing in and supporting diverse voices, allowing for a more inclusive and celebrated era of Indigenous storytelling. With the momentum generated by Reservation Dogs, Goulet believes that a brighter future is possible for Hollywood’s Native talent.
