The writer and co-producer of FX’s hit series “Reservation Dogs” spoke of achieving mainstream success by being honest about Native American issues and stories, during a conversation with Long Beach City College President Mike Munoz, on Nov. 16.
Reservation Dogs, a teen comedy drama, follows four Native American teenagers in Oklahoma, as the group causes havoc on their journey of leaving their home state for sunny California.
Migizi Pensoneau is one of the writers and the co-producer of the show, who created the show alongside other members of his Native American comedy group, The 1491s.
The show is groundbreaking in terms of Indigenous representation in film, with almost an entirely Indigenous cast and crew.
“We want to hold the door open for others after us,” said Pensoneau.
Pensoneau highlighted one of the scenes regarding one of the series main protagonists, Willie Jack, who was visiting her aunt Hotki in prison and getting help in praying to her ancestors.
“We had to give FX a whole new episode in 36 hours, and what we ended with was completely different from what we had planned before…I was a little delirious, and that whole scene popped into my head,” he said.
The scene, twinged with a sense of melancholy, left much of the attendees with misty eyes, Munoz himself taking a moment to wipe away a tear before continuing his questionnaire.
Pensoneau then explained his time growing up as a young media creator in the 2010’s, finding a dedicated following alongside some of his friends under the sketch comedy group and YouTube channel, called the 1491s.
The group would often tour, performing for colleges and being invited out to several different reservations throughout the country, filming skits and videos with the people they met along the way.
“It was our mandate to make ourselves laugh,” he said.
As the final question, Munoz asked what possible advice Pensoneau could provide to students “who want to tell stories that matter” in the way he himself has managed to achieve throughout his career.
“If you aren’t making your art, it’s like a spirit, something that’s trying to get out, and if you don’t do it, don’t write it, that idea will go somewhere else.” Pensoneau said.
Following Munoz’s questions, guests were also encouraged to ask their own, with several asking questions focused on the show’s characters and story and others asking about Pensoneau’s creative process.
“Watching [Reservation Dogs] with my family, it resonates so much with me and how it’s generational but still relevant to how our kids are growing up today,” attendee Lillia Medina asked. “How did you balance that line?”
“If it resonates with everyone in the writers room, we know it will resonate with our audience.” Pensoneau replied.
To conclude his visit, Rio Medina, co-chair of the Native American and Indigenous collaboration committee, gifted Pensoneau with a “A non-traditional offering.” The gift included a trio of new lined notebooks, a near complete series of comic books, and a small bundle of sage, tied off with red ribbon.
After the event, Medina explained one thing Pensoneau had shared with her that day, “In every space we have to own, we have to take charge of the space we have. We have to be proud.”
“We hope to get more students out to these events soon,” Medina said.