Reservation Dogs

Following the success of FX’s Fargo and HBO’s Watchmen, another groundbreaking series hit the small screens in 2021 – Reservation Dogs. Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, this coming-of-age comedy-drama showcases the lives of four Indigenous teenagers from rural Oklahoma who are always up to no good. With its all-Indigenous cast, writing and directing team, Reservation Dogs presents a refreshing take on Indigenous representation in television.

The show revolves around the everyday struggles and adventures of protagonists Bear Smallhill (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Elora Danan (Devery Jacobs), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (Lane Factor). Living in a town with little to no opportunities, they dream of leaving their reservation and going to California. In the meantime, they commit small crimes, get into fights, and seek out means to make a quick buck.

Reservation Dogs is unique in its representation of Indigenous people. The producers aim to break away from the traditional victimization narrative that often portrays Indigenous people as impoverished, depressed, or addicted to alcohol and drugs. Instead, the series highlights the real-life experiences of Indigenous youth that go beyond stereotypes. From navigating puberty to dealing with loss, Reservation Dogs tackles common issues that young people of different backgrounds can relate to.

Furthermore, the show features humor and irony that offer a glimpse of Indigenous culture hitherto unseen in mainstream media. In one episode, the friends set out to steal three wheels from a tribal elder’s car to win a bet. However, they end up getting caught and undergo a traditional Indigenous punishment ceremony. The scene provides a hilarious yet respectful depiction of Indigenous customs that are often overlooked or misinterpreted by outsiders.

Reservation Dogs also celebrates Indigenous culture through its music, language, and setting. The instrumental score by electronic musician Brian McTear incorporates traditional Indigenous music into its sound. The creators heavily emphasize the importance of accurately portraying the Native language. Speaking to Variety, Harjo disclosed that he and Waititi hired a Native linguist to ensure that the actors’ lines were accurately translated from English to Muscogee Creek, the language spoken by the characters in the show.

The show’s setting in rural Oklahoma also plays a vital role in showcasing Indigenous culture. It depicts a world where Indigenous people are not reduced to hostile or wild stereotypes but instead illustrates the beauty and resilience of the culture. The showrunner and co-creator Harjo further recognizes that the series’ success demonstrates that “Indigenous stories are universal.”

Reservation Dogs affirms the Indigenous community’s resiliency and resistance towards assimilation, extermination, and encroachment of their land and traditions. It facilitates a better understanding of the Indigenous community while shedding light on the harsh realities they face that are often ignored or neglected. The show provides a platform for Indigenous voices to express their experiences, stories, fears, and aspirations.

In conclusion, Reservation Dogs is a well-crafted, insightful, and humorous series that presents a refreshing view of Indigenous people in media. It challenges and subverts traditional Indigenous stereotypes, and instead portrays Native youth as complex individuals with vibrant stories to tell. The show delivers an inclusive and genuine portrayal of Indigenous cultures that is desperately needed in contemporary entertainment.

Reservation Dogs’ success marks the start of Indigenous talent-driven productions that will hopefully lead the way to more Indigenous representation and stories in media. So if you haven’t watched Reservation Dogs, it’s about time to catch up on this landmark TV show.