Sterlin Harjo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sterlin Brown Harjo, Jr.
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Harjo in 2024
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| Born | November 14, 1979 Holdenville, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Nationality | Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, American |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma (BA) |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | Reservation Dogs |
Sterlin Harjo, born on November 14, 1979, is a talented filmmaker from Oklahoma. He is a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and also has Muscogee heritage. Sterlin Harjo is known for making movies and TV shows that focus on Native American stories and people. Many of his projects are set in his home state of Oklahoma. He has directed several feature films, a documentary, and the popular TV series Reservation Dogs.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Sterlin Harjo is a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He also has Muscogee family roots. He was born and grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Harjo later attended the University of Oklahoma. There, he studied art and film, which helped him prepare for his career.
Filmmaking Career Highlights
Sterlin Harjo started his filmmaking journey in 2004. He received a special fellowship from the Sundance Institute. This institute helps new filmmakers.
Early Films and Awards
His short film, Goodnight, Irene, was shown at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. It won a special award there. In 2006, he received another fellowship from United States Artists.
Harjo's first full-length movie was Four Sheets to the Wind. This film tells the story of a young Seminole man. He travels to Tulsa to see his sister after his father passes away. The movie premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It was even nominated for a big award. Harjo was named best director at the 2007 American Indian Film Festival. The film's co-star, Tamara Podemski, also won an award for her acting.
His second feature film, Barking Water, came out in 2009. It was also shown at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. This movie is about a road trip across Oklahoma. A man who is very sick travels with his former girlfriend. They want to see his daughter and granddaughter in Wewoka. This town is the capital of the Seminole Nation. Barking Water was named best drama film at the 2009 American Indian Film Festival.
Documentaries and Thrillers
Harjo's first documentary film is called This May Be the Last Time. It is based on a true story about his grandfather. His grandfather disappeared in 1962 in Sasakwa. The film explores Creek Nation hymns. It shows how these songs connect to Scottish folk, gospel, and rock music. This documentary premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
In 2015, Harjo directed his third feature film, Mekko. This movie is a thriller set in Tulsa. It was first shown at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Other Projects and Reservation Dogs
Sterlin Harjo has also directed many short films. One of them, Cepanvkuce Tutcenen (meaning "three little boys"), was part of a special project in 2009. He also worked as a video director for This Land Press in Tulsa.
Harjo is a founding member of a comedy group called the 1491s. This group has five Native American members. He also helps direct a TV news show for the Cherokee Nation. It is called Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People.
In 2021, the TV channel FX released Reservation Dogs. This is a comedy series about Indigenous people. Harjo helped create, direct, and write the show. Taika Waititi also helped write and produce it. The show quickly became very popular.
In September 2021, FX announced that Reservation Dogs would have a second season. In 2022, the show won awards at the 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards. It was named Best New Scripted Series and Best Ensemble Cast. During the awards, actor Devery Jacobs spoke about the show's importance. She said it was the first project with all Indigenous creators in over 100 years of film and TV.
In 2023, Harjo directed a music video. It was for the song "Mean Old Sun" by the band Turnpike Troubadours. In 2024, Harjo co-wrote the movie Rez Ball. This sports drama was also directed by Sydney Freeland. In October 2024, Harjo created a pilot episode for a new series. It is called The Sensitive Kind and stars Ethan Hawke. FX later ordered the series to be made.
Awards and Recognition
Sterlin Harjo has received several important awards. In 2011, he won the Tilghman Award from the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. He also received the American Indian Writers Award in 2013.
In 2021, Harjo won a Peabody Award for his work on Reservation Dogs. In 2024, he was named a MacArthur Fellow. This is a very special award given to talented people. Harjo was the only filmmaker in his group to receive this honor.
Filmography
- Goodnight, Irene (short film, 2005)
- Four Sheets to the Wind (director, writer, 2007)
- Barking Water (director, writer, 2009)
- Cepanvkuce Tutcenen (short film, 2009)
- This May Be the Last Time (documentary, director, writer, producer, 2014)
- Mekko (director, writer, 2015)
- Reservation Dogs (TV series, co-creator, co-director, 2021–2023)
- Rez Ball (screenwriter, 2024)
- The Lowdown (TV series, creator, writer, director, executive producer, 2025)
