TVLSE, Oklahoma – The red carpet rolled out for the premiere viewing of Reservation Dogs Season Two at the River Spirit Casino and Resort’s very own Paradise Cove on July 29. Cast members and writers, along with Principal Chief David Hill, walked down the carpet one by one to showcase the all-indigenous crew and the show filmed on the Muscogee Reservation, primarily Okmulgee.
The premiere screening included the show’s first two episodes that are set to launch on Hulu on Wednesday, August 3.
Fans were lined up at the security line to watch their beloved “Rez Dogs” walk down the carpet in much fancier attire than the tattered clothing they wear on the show. Many new faces were added to the cast and writing crew this season. Several new writers and actors add more indigenous flavor to the mix.
One of the 11 new indigenous writers this season, Ryan Redcorn, told News on 6 that the show is “Indigenous joy,” and the show’s impact is huge.
Redcorn is from the small town of Pawhuska and used that upbringing and experience to co-write the first two episodes. He told Tulsa World that the experience of an Oklahoma raising is quite different than most.
“You don’t have cable TV or anything like that. You just sit around telling stories and getting into mischief and doing crazy stuff. If you grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, unless you went to church three times a week — and even if you did, there is still plenty of time to get into trouble,” he said.
Also an Oklahoma native, Lane Factor plays “Cheese” in the series. Factor said the audience could expect to see a lot from his role this season.
“I can’t give anything away,” he said. “But there’s a lot of stuff in store for Cheese. I hope everyone loves season two.”
Dalton Cramer, who plays the late friend Daniel, said Willie Jack would make the second season come to life. Sure to not give up any hints, Cramer told the media, “You will see, you will find out.”
When Paulina Alexis hit the red carpet, fans were gushing. Wearing a native-styled dress with many colors that only accommodated her beauty, she was a hit with the fans.
Alexis’ character Willie Jack is a tomboy with a big heart but a big, smart mouth with punch lines that will have you laughing breathlessly. The series showcases the hilarity of Native people, and she calls it “good medicine” for indigenous people and surrounding communities.
“Our people are so funny,” she said. “It’s just not being shown, and that’s just all we’re trying to do.”
She claims that co-creator Sterlin Harjo gives her the freedom to ad-lib and use her own words.
“What Willie Jack would say is what I would say in real life,” she said. “I get to play myself, basically.”
Regarding real life, Alexis said not much has changed for her.
“All I gots new followers, I wear new shoes here and there, but I’m still wearing the same slides I wore on the rez.”
Even though not much has changed materialistically, this journey has allowed Alexis to be a role model to kids she never had.
“Growing up, I never had a role model,” Alexis said. “We never had role models to look up to as native kids.”
Thanks to Harjo and the rest of the Rez Dogs cast, young native kids have someone they can aspire to be.
FX series sheds light on the lives of indigenous people. As portrayed in the show, audiences across the country and worldwide are seeing a glimpse of what “Rez life” is like for young natives.
According to Chief Hill, this is just the beginning of what is to be done here and what we can do.
“It’s hard to explain,” Hill said. “It’s just what it brings to our reservation and all the indigenous reservations throughout; it’s a good feeling.”
Local Muscogee citizens Kenna Najera and mother Cheryl landed themselves roles in the show as background actors in later episodes.
Kenna landed the role as an afro-indigenous homeless and Cheryl as an attendee at an IHS conference.
Both applied via email after a Facebook post was circulating with information about needed background actors. It only took about 30 minutes to hear a reply from FX that they would be used in the show.
According to Kenna, they used their own clothing with specific information to create their costumes.
“They really loved mine,” she said. “The experience was really cool, and it was fun. If they need background actors for season three, I will do it again.”
Cheryl said the opportunity was once in a lifetime for her, and she feels fortunate that the opportunity was with Reservation Dogs.
“The fact that it was an indigenous show made the opportunity even sweeter.”
She filmed for 10-11 hours a day for three days, which has helped her develop a newfound respect for actors and what they go through when filming.
Review past coverage at www.mvskokemedia.com. https://www.mvskokemedia.com/dogs-run-through-the-rez/
