Thread by @HosteenCholo, I wanted to make a little thread of something that I always [...]

I wanted to make a little thread of something that I always noticed about being Indigenous, Diné to be specific, and working in film and being in film classes.
I would always get asked about one topic without fail:

SKINWALKERS!

It never failed. On set. In school. I would roll up on my horse and war paint as any Native would.
After a moment, someone would ask if I was Indigenous. Which I would give a chuckle and tell them: You betcha!

This was the part they would light up.
A NATIVE!? ON THIS SET?! How amazing!
They would do the rundown of usual questions and comments:

What is the Rez like? (It’s great!)
I have Native blood? (Gross)
Your people are so spiritual! (Thaaank you?)

White people gotta white. Dig?

After the questions, they would look around. Like they were about to tell me some kind of fucked up and shady secret.
Over time. I knew when this question was coming.
They would eventually ask the big one:

So Skinwalkers huh?

Followed quickly by:

I got a movie idea about them.

I always felt put in a weird position.
I always felt like they wanted some kind of permission from me, a proud Diné man and descendant of a Native American princess, to give them.
It’s usually at this point I have to drop some bad news on them.

You see, Skinwalkers are what you might call a bit of a No-no in my culture. Hell! I’m putting myself at risk just by doing this.
Believe you me, their ears are perked and they are watching. Waiting.

My grandma (The princess) would tell me stories about them and how they are filled to the brim with darkness.
Think of them like Voldemort, since that’s the only thing people can relate to these days, in that talking about them gets their attention.

Now I won’t get into a lot of detail about them as I don’t want culture vultures to pick away at the yummy stories so they can write about it in blogs or have James Charles do a Skinwalker inspired look or something equally as stupid, but just know they bad and scary.

Alright, back to film stuff.
I tell the bright eyed filmmaker that while their idea is great, I am not the person to ask to help write it. I don’t think I should even consult on it.
You know, cultural Voldemort and all.
They then will get slightly offended.

“What? Why won’t you help me? I’m just trying to honor your culture (

) by telling this story!” The list goes on.
They then ask a question that really has me think and why I’m rambling on Tweeter like an old jaawn.

“Wouldn’t YOU like to see a Skinwalker movie?”

And here is what has me torn.

I actually WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SKINWALKER MOVIE.

Like a whole lot!

But here is what tears me up. In this dilemma, there are two sides that continually argue.

Me the Diné man who loves his culture and people.

VS

Me the filmmaker who loves horror movies and amazing stories.

These two are at complete odds and let me lay it down for you why.

In the left corner, weighin in at 295lbs with the Spam trunks is the Diné side.
This side says “Hell no you shouldn’t make a Skinwalker movie! YADILAH!!”
And you know what, that side is right. I shouldn’t make a Skinwalker movie because it’s a taboo subject for my people.

In the right corner, also weighing in at 295 in the A24 colored trunks is film me.
This would be such a great idea. If done well, it would be an absolutely horrifying film as it strikes a nerve with a lot of people. Obvi, as white people keep wanting to tell this story.

So where am I going with all this?

I guess that while I agree that Skinwalkers are a great subject for a horror movie, but please stop asking me or any other Native to mine our culture for movie ideas that you are not equipped or should even tell.

If you are looking around the horror landscape and don’t see Skinwalker movies made by Indigenous creators, maybe ask yourself WHY that is. Chances are, if you listen to the wind, you will realize why these stories are not being told.

And once you listen, accept the fact that maybe WE don’t want these stories told because of many cultural reasons that you may not understand.
And that’s okay. You don’t have to like it. Just please respect our voices.

Alright. That’s all I have to say. Ahéhee’ for letting me ramble. I hope you enjoyed it. And remember:

Black Lives Matter
MMIW
Free Palestine
Trans Rights
ACAB

Much love to all of you. Stay strong. Stay safe. Take care of each other.

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