Monthly Columns,  Reviews

Witch & Popcorn

 

Reservation Dogs

 

 

A wonderful new indigenous comedy is making waves on Hulu. Starring such veteran actors as Zahn McClarnon and Gary Farmer, this refreshing show is about a group of Native American teens and their days and nights at home on their reservation in Oklahoma. Bored, tired of the bad things that go on there, and to some extent, ready to get the hell away for good, the kids stick together, making the best of the worst, and making the viewers die laughing, begging for more.

Here is a trailer for the show:

 

 

The magic of this film comes from the fact that it’s an all indigenous cast after many years of Hollywood casting non-indigenous actors as indigenous people. A newer Sundance film veteran, Sterlin Harjo, lends his writing and producing talents to this, and it is directed by a trans Navajo filmmaker named Sydney Freeland. There is nothing quite like the people who are marginalized by mainstream society banding together to create great things, art included. It has been said this is the first television show to have a fully indigenous cast and crew both in front of and behind the cameras, and it’s a shame it took until 2021 for it to happen.

This is an indigenous show made by indigenous people for indigenous people. It brings up issues of things ranging from young loss of a parent, to the struggles of being a single mom, the overwhelming job people at public health clinics have to treat more patients than they can handle, insanity, professional police incompetence, and crippling poverty that drives youth to crime to make ends meet.

One thing that never fails to go above and beyond is the writers, and actors’ ability to communicate the personal pride in family and friends, and the personal identity of being indigenous the characters cannot imagine parting with. Contrast between the way the older generation does things and how modern society continues creeping in is highlighted by how an Uncle tries to sell weed he has proudly aged underground to younger people who only buy from the local dispensary. The Uncle says he won’t touch that GMO government made garbage weed!

Their houses might be crumbling, and the neighborhood thugs might beat them up, but these kids are destined for greatness anyways. They are dying to grow up, make their own decisions, and be all on their own, but more and more, they realize they need their elders, despite the imperfections those elders embody. Uncle says “I have been training you. We ain’t like white people, they get the book and you’re supposed to remember something. You listen, you learn. A warrior has to take a beating sometimes, that’s how he gets stronger, you know. It’s all about gettin’ back up again! “In the same way, the elders need the younger generation. The connection among the people is unbreakable despite all the struggles and suffering they could allow to separate them. Their love is stronger than anything that comes their way, and this can be a lesson to all of us.

STICK TOGETHER NO MATTER WHAT!

Tidbits of profound life lessons like this are liberally sprinkled throughout the laughs, making the flavors of this show all the deeper and more complex. There are currently three episodes available, and there are five more to look forward to. Since this is just the first season, we can only hope this show is continued, because the laughs, heartfelt moments, and unique voices of the writers is like no other show ever made before.

The young actors playing the heroes of the show are D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Thai, Devery Jacobs, Lane Factor, and Paulina Alexis. These young stars shine as brightly as famous guest stars like Wes Studi and Bill Burr, and we can all make sure to watch the shows, films, and stage productions they do in the coming years.

This is a great show to watch in general, but one that magical people who practice old ways will definitely want to tune in for. As it appears, just three episodes in, this is a coming of age show, following the lives of the kids, most especially Bear, played by Woon-A-Thai, as he develops leadership qualities he’s reluctant to learn. The real leader of the gang seems to be played by Jacobs, whose character is the brains of the group, and whose advice and decisions are respected by everybody.

Don’t take my word for it. Go watch Reservation Dogs every chance you get.

Blessed Be.

***

About the Author:

Saoirse is a practicing witch, and initiated Wiccan of an Eclectic Tradition.

A recovered Catholic, she was raised to believe in heaven and hell, that there is only one god, and only one way to believe. As she approached her late 20’s, little things started to show her this was all wrong. She was most inspired by the saying “God is too big to fit into one religion” and after a heated exchange with the then associate pastor of the last Xtian church she attended, she finally realized she was in no way Xtian, and decided to move on to see where she could find her spiritual home.

Her homecoming to her Path was after many years of being called to The Old Ways and the Goddess, and happened in Phoenix, Arizona. She really did rise from her own ashes!

Upon returning to Ohio, she thought Chaos Magic was the answer, and soon discovered it was actually Wicca. She was blessed with a marvelous mentor, Lord Shadow, and started a Magical Discussion Group at local Metaphysical Shop Fly By Night. The group was later dubbed A Gathering of Paths. For a few years, this group met, discussed, did rituals, fellowship, and volunteering together, and even marched as a Pagan group with members of other groups at the local gay Pride Parade for eight years.

All the while, she continued studying with her mentor, and is still studying for Third Degree, making it to Second Degree thus far.

She is a gifted tarot reader, spellworker, teacher, and was even a resident Witch at a Westerville place dubbed The Parlor for a time.

Aside from her magical practice, she is a crocheter, beader, painter, and a good cook. She has been a clown and children’s entertainer, a Nursing Home Activities Professional, a Cavern Tour Guide, a Retail Cashier, and a reader in local shops. Her college degree is a BA in English Writing. She tried her hand at both singing and playing bagpipes, and…well…let’s just say her gifts lie elsewhere! She loves gardening, reading, antiques, time with friends and soul kin, and lots and lots of glorious color bedecking her small home!

On the encouragement of a loved one several years back, she searched for a publication to write for, and is right at home at PaganPagesOrg.

She is currently residing in Central Ohio with her husband, and furbabies.

Saoirse can be contacted at [email protected].