How Native American Heritage Helped Hollywood Actress Lily Gladstone

Acclaimed actress Lily Gladstone delves into her journey from the Blackfeet Reservation to Hollywood. She discusses her personal experiences, inspirations and challenges as an Indigenous actor in mainstream media, and shares her perspectives on representation, storytelling, and cultural heritage.

Despite critical acclaim at film festivals such as Sundance, independent films often struggle with distribution.

This highlights systemic issues within the film industry that need to be addressed to ensure diverse narratives reach wider audiences.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, ‘Reservation Dogs’, and ‘Fancy Dance’ were projects set in Oklahoma that allowed Gladstone to portray characters from different cultural backgrounds than hers – Native Oklahomans with a Southern drawl – showcasing her versatility as an actor.

‘Reservation Dogs’ stood out because it featured unapologetic Indigenous identity on screen.

Migizi Pensoneau wrote the script with Gladstone in mind, understanding what tools she had in her acting toolbox, highlighting the importance of authentic representation.

For Gladstone, storytelling is not just a part of her work as an actress but also a crucial aspect of her culture.

Performance is seen as an extension of oral tradition, helping to preserve knowledge and way of life through stories.

Gladstone’s transition from living on a reservation to attending a predominantly white school system allowed her to adapt to mainstream society while retaining her cultural identity.

This experience prepared her for the pressures and expectations associated with being one of few Native actors in mainstream media.

In Blackfoot society, self-actualization is at the base rather than the end goal as often seen in Western society.

The ultimate achievement is considered cultural perpetuity, offering a different perspective on societal structure and success.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory was influenced by his time spent with the Siksika – part of the Blackfoot confederacy – observing their societal structure focused on communal support and cultural preservation.

This highlights how Indigenous cultures can significantly contribute to broader understandings of human needs and motivations.

Gladstone asserts that any role she takes that isn’t explicitly Native will inherently become Native due to her own Indigeneity.

This reflects her commitment towards authentic representation and bringing her identity into every character she portrays.

An unexpected encounter with a fellow Blackfeet in Vienna underscored for Gladstone that Indigenous people are everywhere.

Such experiences reinforce the notion that cultural roots can span across continents, underscoring the global spread of Indigenous communities.

As an executive producer on ‘Fancy Dance’, Gladstone provided script feedback and lent her name to the project, showcasing how actors can contribute beyond their on-screen roles.

Her involvement further validated the project’s credibility and appeal.