The all-Native creative team of NBC’s OKW Untitled Pilot was shooting this past May 2025 in Portland, Oregon. Filming took place at locations throughout PDX, including the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation headquarters.

This groundbreaking series, although not chosen for the upcoming season, boasted an all-star cast including renowned Academy Award–winning actor Wes Studi; Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live alum); Kimberly Guerrero (Welcome to Derry, Outer Range); Frankie Quiñones (This Fool); Jana Schmieding (Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls); Eddie Spears (Rutherford Falls, Dream Keeper); and others.

Native showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas, producer/writer Jackie Keliiaa, co-star/producer/writer Bobby Wilson aka Bobby Dues, and director Tazbah Rose Chavez (Nüümü, Dinè, San Carlos Apache) rounded out this incredibly talented team.

Elders from the local Portland Native community participated as extras and also generously loaned many of the items used to decorate the set. ICSWA assisted in connecting the show’s art director and art department with appropriate and relevant local Native community resources. Native American Youth and Family Center Staff, and Future Generations Collaborative elder Jillene Joseph had lead roles in providing much needed cultural guidance for the production crew.

Local community worker and seamstress Chenoa Landry worked closely with costume designer Dionne Barens to create one-of-a-kind pieces for the actors. In addition, items for the production were sourced from Portland Indigenous Marketplace and The Ink Lab.

Bison Coffee House, Portland's only Native owned Coffee shop provided coffee for crew.

Several Native/Indigenous ICSWA crew members were on set, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support the project. Producer David Allen Cress (Portlandia, Documentary Now!) worked closely with the showrunners and ICSWA co-organizers Rebecca Fisher and Mandy Yeahpau to create a seamless on-set production environment. David Cress has continued to lend his support to ICSWA members with training opportunities and organizational advising.

Although this was a great experience overall, we still have a long way to go in terms of Native/Indigenous inclusion behind the scenes and on set. From working on a big studio production, to an independent film, this year has shown us that we belong everywhere- but we need the opportunity and space to be made available. Our members face several challenges for access to employment and learning opportunities. Many of these challenges exist because of the industry's inherent hierarchical system. ICSWA will be working in 2026 to support our community wherever necessary as much as we possibly can, to advocate for the benefit of our members in all 14 Regions.



The Untold Tales Of Tūteremoana w/ Mere Tokorahi Boynton

Industry Reading of Brewmasters & Brujas at

Famed Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Los Angeles



This past October in California ICSWA Region 2, member Jehnean Washington had her project read live by a majority Indigenous cast at the historic Theatricum Botanicum located in Topanga Canyon.

Jehnean wrote, directed, and also starred in the production, which was an exerpt from her original screenplay then converted to play format especially for this exclusive industry attended reading.

Full Cast- Jehnean Washington(Yuchi/Seminole/Shoshone), Zilah Mendoza(Chicana)

Gia Fisher(Northern Cheyenne/Seneca), Kainoa Kelly(Kanaka Maoli) Sienna Tso(Diné),

Drea Garcia(Latina), Paige Conroy, Hunter James, Silvia Bottini(Italian) Rome da Luce(Italian), Joe Bentley (Samoan), Christian Venegas (Mixtec) and Tom Allard (Cherokee/Shawnee).

Stage direction was read by Alyce Heath.

A little bit about The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum- Will Geer was well-known for his work on the New York stage, in film, and on radio. By the mid-1950’s, he had relocated permanently to California and had established a successful Hollywood career. His future looked bright. But after being called to testify before the U.S. Congress’ Committee on Un-American Activities, he suddenly found himself blacklisted by the major studios with no viable means of income.

For Geer and his young family, the McCarthy Era had arrived. Relocating to an acreage in Topanga, California, Mr. Geer established a theatre for similarly blacklisted actors and folk singers on the property. Because he held a degree in botany (one of his life long interests) the theater was named for a landmark botany text book, Theatricum Botanicum, which means, quite literally, “a garden theatre.” Today, under the creative supervision of Artistic Director Ellen Geer (Will’s daughter), Theatricum has blossomed into a vital creative force that has been recognized internationally for its interpretation of Shakespeare’s work. In addition to an annual summer season of five repertory plays, Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum offers year-round classes to actors of all ages, hosts live music concerts, nurtures budding playwrights, and successfully reaches schools and students across the Greater Los Angeles Metro area with the aim of making live theater bloom for generations to come.

Grant from Oregon Film Office



ICSWA recieved a generous grant of $7500 of dedicated funding for training members who want to work in film! We are truly grateful for the support from Oregon Film and a special thanks to Tim Williams. Preproduction is currently underway for ICSWA's very first production- a short film where PA graduates will train on set with a professional film crew! Here's to a fun and busy 2026!

Editing Training 2025

ICSWA held two train the trainer editing training sessions in 2025 hosted with community media center Open Signal, sponsored by the MHCRC Grant.

A Very Special Acknowledgement for Seeding Justice

We would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to Seeding Justice. Seeding Justice has provided us with general funding that has helped ICSWA grow and thrive. They have been an incredible resource, and have allowed us to develop our programs, and provide supports to our Indigenous/Native creative communities in Region 1. Thank You so very much!

Gratitude and Acknowledgment for the Showrunners, Cast and Crew

of the NBC Untitled OKW Pilot

Special thanks and shout outs to Sierra Teller Ornelas, Jackie Keliiaa, Bobby Wilson, Tazbah Chavez, and the entire cast and crew for going above and beyond to make this pilot happen. It doesn't matter whether or not it airs right now- What matters is the barriers broken on the path you are creating for both yourselves and your community. It's not a matter of if, but when.

KEEP GOING!

Region 1 Member Erika Ramirez working with Camera Department on the set of Are We Cool.

Congrats to Erika Ramirez (Gabrielino/Tongva) for her work in the Camera Department on 'ARE WE COOL', which shot in Region 1 PDX in Oct/Nov of 2025. Erika is a recent graduate of Portland State University and holds a degree in Film Production. She is involved in several aspects of production, and is gaining experience as a Cinematographer, something she has a great talent for. She also was on set as a PA this past May on the NBC Untitled OKW Pilot. We look forward to watching Erika's career continue to grow in 2026! Erika has exceeded her required ICSWA member volunteer hours for 2025- Thank you Erika!

ICSWA would like to recognize Producer Steven Weisman, Director Aaron Katz, the entire camera department, as well as the crew of ARE WE COOL. We are so grateful for the opportunity to talk about ICSWA with you, and for having ICSWA members on set. We look forward to watching the film! Thank you!

Region 1 Member Erika Ramirez on the set of Are We Cool.

Congrats to artist Steph Littlebird (Grand Ronde), who's artwork was featured on NBC's Untitled OKW Pilot in May 2025! Steph is knon for her vibrant graphic imagry that combines traditional styles with contemporary illustration aesthetics. Her work often examines issues related to Native identity, cultural resilience, and responsible land stewardship. Steph has been commissioned by brands like Lucasfilms/Star Wars, Yahoo, Luna Bar and has been featured by several media outlets.

Few Native/Indigenous artists have their art shown or featured on the sets of film or television shows, streaming or otherwise. ICSWA is working to change this by helping connect art rental warehouses with Indigenous artists!

Congrats to Bryce David Clyde (Diné), who joined LAIKA Studios in Summer 2025 as a Production Management Intern. Bryce worked closely with the camera, rigging, art, puppet, and animation teams, coordinating the work that was happening on the stages. Post internship, Bryce was hired on in the role of Central Production Assistant! Bryce completed the PA Workshop last year, and subsequently worked as a PA on the NBC Untitled OKW Pilot. In addition, he has exceeded his required ICSWA member volunteer hours for 2025. Thank you Bryce!

Congrats to Region 1 member Ryan Abrahamson on completion of his upcoming webseries.

ICSWA would like to express our gratitude to Board Chair Ryan Abrahamson. Ryan has demonstrated great thoughtfulness in helping to build the foundations for ICSWA's work. He has donated both his personal time, and his business expertise for the past two years. Ryan has greatly contributed to our growth and lends a positive mindset in planning for the future.

Congrats to Thomas Yeahpau Writer/Director & Mandy Yeahpau Producer -

The husband and wife team of horror short 'TOTEM', which premiered at this year's

LA SKINSFEST!

Mandy Yeahpau currently serves as a co-organizer on the ICSWA board, and she has exceeded her member required volunteer hours for 2025. She also worked on set as a PA for the Untitled OKW Pilot. Thank you Mandy! Also greatful appreciation to That Native Thomas, who volunteered his time as a guest speaker at our previous PA Workshop. Thomas is slated as a speaker at ICSWA's upcoming Screenwriter Q&A sometime in 2026.

Community Leader Jillene Joseph of Future Generations Collaborative on set with cast members Wes Studi and Frankie Quiñones.

Directors photo courtesy of public Instagram Post

Group photo courtesy of public Instagram post

Community Elders turned actors for a day on set with Comedian/Actor/Showrunner Bobby Wilson

Community Elder/Actor/Storyteller Ed Edmo with PA/ICSWA Board Secretary Mandy Yeahpau

Community Member/Extra Chenoa Landry with Costumer Dionne Barens

Comedian/Actor Frankie Quiñones with Actress/ICSWA advisor Gia Fisher

Showrunners provided all crew and cast with

Frybread from Urban Fried!!

That's a WRAP on 2025!

We look forward to supporting our

ICSWA creative community in 2026!

Thank you for allowing us to be of service.

Centered in community, there is no fee for membership. ICSWA’s annual membership requires a community trade. Members share skills through participation in workshops and mentorship programs, or through blocks of volunteer hours, for a total of 15 hours annually.

See You On Set! -The ICSWA Team