A New Era For Native American Actors

KEVIN Costner's critically acclaimed epic film, ``Dances With Wolves,'' may mark the first time in recent memory that movie audiences have cheered for the Indians as they clashed with the U.S. Cavalry.

In fact, Hopi tribal member Berdina Cespuch recalls that when she watched Western movies as a child, she used to root for the Cavalry.

``The Indians were the bad guys,'' said Cespuch, now a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley. ``They were always burning white settlements and killing innocent people for no apparent reason. Those movies used to make me ashamed to be Indian.''

Cespuch's experience was not an uncommon one for Native American children. And it illustrates the inherent power of film and television images in shaping our attitudes and beliefs.

As producer, director and star of ``Dances With Wolves,'' Costner has wielded this power with skill and sensitivity. And he has earned enormous respect from Native Americans for his work.

The three-hour film depicts the cultural and spiritual journey of U.S. Army Lt. John Dunbar, who asks to be sent to the American frontier after he is wounded in the Civil War.

The film is significant not only for its sympathetic portrayal of American Indians. Breaking with Hollywood casting practices that have given us Sal Mineo and Chuck Connors as Indians, Costner insisted on hiring Indian actors to play all of the Indian roles. He also employed an Indian elder fluent in Lakota to tutor cast members and ensure that their use of the language would be accurate and appropriate.

Indian actors and filmmakers are especially pleased that the film's Native American characters exhibit a full range of emotions and sensibilities, including humor and affection. And they hope the critical and financial success of ``Dances With Wolves'' will lead to increased opportunities to practice their craft.

In the Seattle area, which has a rich tradition of American Indian theater, several Indian actors recently have landed roles in a growing number of films and television programs being produced here, including the two offbeat TV series, ``Twin Peaks'' and ``Northern Exposure.'' But, they say, Native Americans in the film industry still have a long way to go.

``Native actors are almost always cast as introverted and uptight, with no good flow of emotions,'' said Wayne Waterman, an Oneida Indian actor from New York. ``People in the entertainment industry are becoming more aware (of Indian actors), but they still don't think in terms of native people portraying much broader characters.''

Waterman, a Screen Actors Guild member who lives in Seattle, recently had principal roles in the films ``Powwow Highway'' and ``War Party,'' and has appeared on ``Totally Hidden Video.''

``In `War Party,' my character was receiving some bad news over the telephone,'' Waterman said, ``and I reacted openly. The director told me not to react - to be `stoic.' ''

Bonnie Paradise, a Shoshone/Paiute actress, says the ``stoic Indian'' is one of the stereotypes she hopes to help dispel in the entertainment industry.

As the executive director of the Hollywood-based American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts, Paradise now makes a full-time career of educating producers, directors and casting agents about Native Americans.

``We try to make sure that when a script calls for Indian parts that they cast Indian people,'' she said.

The nonprofit organization publishes annually a directory of Native American entertainment professionals, including actors, directors, producers and technicians. This year's directory includes some 250 actors, about 40 of whom live in the Northwest. Applicants are required to submit written proof of tribal affiliation to be considered.

Kevin Costner worked closely with the Registry during the casting of ``Dances With Wolves,'' Paradise said, and hired 13 of its actors for the film.

Sue Morales, a Yupik Eskimo/Yakima actress living in Tacoma, is a member of both the Screen Actors Guild and the Registry. Morales has appeared in four episodes of ``Northern Exposure,'' and recently was a principal character actor in a feature film, ``Dog Fight,'' starring River Phoenix, scheduled for release this spring.

Still, good roles for Indian women remain scarce, said Morales. Phyllis Brisson, a Seattle-based Sioux actress who has worked in the theater for 20 years, agrees.

``Dances With Wolves'' is a men's story, Brisson pointed out. ``The Indian acting is positive, the Indians looked very good, and it made me proud, but there was only one Indian woman who had a speaking role.

``I would like to see more of the power of women portrayed in films about Native Americans,'' Brisson said. ``And not just because I want one of the parts, but because it's a reality.''

Native American actors said the most effective way to improve the portrayal of Indians is for more Indians to work as script writers, directors and producers. And all said they look forward to the day when other roles - those not specified as Native American characters - will be open to them as well.

For the Seattle area's three best-known native filmmakers, these also are important goals. Puyallup/Blackfeet Indian Orlando Duenas, a freelance filmmaker; Makah tribal member Sandy Osawa, who, along with her husband, owns Upstream Productions; and Choctaw filmmaker Phil Lucas of Issaquah, all produce films and videos with Native American themes.

But, like native actors, they can't support themselves with that work alone, so much of their time is devoted to producing the educational and industrial films and documentaries that constitute the bread and butter of independent filmmakers.

All three have won awards for their work, and have combined experience totaling almost 50 years. Duenas, who also has a background in broadcasting, said it is important not only to American Indians, but also for mainstream society, to see accurate and realistic portrayals of Native Americans.