As a Cree woman from Northern Alberta, I was truly shook to witness Reservation Dogs bring our Native humor to the mainstream. Hearing our rezy-isms like skoden is a small but mighty win against Americas relentless attempt to erase our accents and colloquial slang. Weve had to code-switch for our whole lives, but through the characters in this series, the phrases we spoke only to each other were exposed for the world to see. Its a moment both vulnerable and empowering.

Reservation Dogs will end after only its third season, but the show has already been revolutionary for the culture largely because it was written and led by actual Indigenous people, setting new precedents for Indigenous content moving forward. For years, weve had to endure violent stereotypes of Native people drawn crudely through a cloudy white lens. For so long, we were seen as a monolith of victimhood.

The Rez Dog writers dismantled all of that swiftly, portraying us as who we actually are: vibrant contemporary NDN s with all different skin tones, lengths of hair, and ways of being. And so the show is a legacy, and an eversick example of Natives thriving in all areas of television and filmmaking.

DPharoah Woon-A-Tai, who plays Bear Smallhill in the series, pointed out that even before pen hit paper, there was intentionality to the show. The casting directors are the biggest part of making sure our stories are told right, he tells me. If a non-Indigenous casting director is going to cast a major project and is not familiar at all with our communities or culture, they will resort to stereotypes.

Stereotypes arent the only issue; were still combating a long history of non-Natives assuming a fake Indigenous identity for profit when we have been here the whole time to fill those roles or simply from a place of fetishizing our cultures . To be in a space where your cultural identity is protected, Woon-A-Tai says, is sacred. After working with an Indigenous-led team, he adds, I will never do another project thats not Indigenous-led that has as much Indigenous content that Reservation Dogs has. To provide a more intimate glimpse into how it all came together, photographer Jonathan Blaustein captured moments from behind the scenes of Season 3. Through this unique access granted to him, were able to see the authenticity behind the genius of the show.

After more poignant and challenging scenes (like when the characters discover their friend Daniels body) many members of the cast and writing team came together to heal, by smudging, praying and singing songs ensuring the well-being of the cast during those triggering moments. All of the storylines in the series are based on events that have actually happened to cast members, and NDNs all over Turtle Island . The writing and dialogue on the show reflect these shared experiences.

There was just such a shorthand and common understanding and collective experience that ties us all together, Devery Jacobs, who plays Elora Danan, tells me. Theres such an indescribable experience that roots you to your community and culture when we all come together.

This connectedness that Jacobs describes has resulted in a series that educates the masses without being didactic, and reinforces the sanctity of cultures that have battled attempted erasure for centuries. We, as young Natives, no longer exist in the margin.

Below, see photos from the set and locations of Reservations Dogs by photographer Jonathan Blaustein.