About Me
I am an artist from the Klamath Tribes in southern Oregon, and a recent graduate of Portland State University’s School of Film. Throughout my academic journey, I explored a wide range of disciplines, from dance and costume design to geology and, of course, film. Alongside working on film productions, I found great joy in studying cinema from a variety of cultures and time periods. Through film, I discovered a powerful way to explore the world, identity, and history.
My commitment to storytelling was recognized with the Andries Deinum Prize for Visionaries and Provocateurs, the most prestigious award offered by the College of the Arts at PSU. This honor was awarded for a documentary project rooted in my own identity and culture. The film centers on water justice, environmental justice, and Indigenous identity and voices, viewed through the lens of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history on the Klamath River. I completed this project in November of 2025 and have been screening it to a variety of audiences.
Outside of my film work, I serve my tribal community in language revitalization. In this role, I work with a wide range of community members, from teaching language classes at local elementary schools and working with teens to engaging with families and elders around language and cultural knowledge. My work in language revitalization has also encouraged me to continually expand my skills and understanding. I have pursued professional development through the Northwest Indian Language Institute, completed language-related coursework through the University of Arizona, and visited other tribal communities to learn from and draw inspiration from their language programs and revitalization efforts.
Ultimately, my artistic aspirations lie in Indigenous filmmaking. Recognizing the glaring absence of Indigenous stories in mainstream media, I am driven by a deep sense of responsibility to bridge this gap and reaffirm the authenticity of Indigenous identity. Through collaboration with my community and Indigenous communities nationwide, I am committed to cultivating platforms for the dissemination of their narratives, whether through documentary or narrative forms.