D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai's outspoken Emmys remark spotlights the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
A 22-year-old Canadian, belonging to the Oji-Cree First Nations, made history as the initial Indigenous North American nominee in the leading actor category at the ceremony, as reported by Variety.
The haunting image of a hand with a red mark covering its mouth has become synonymous with the Movement for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, which amplifies the voices of the Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered across North America, as per Native Hope's organization.
The actor expressed his sentiment on Instagram, stating, "I did this for those who aren't here, not for me, not for y'all," alongside a photo from the red carpet event.
In the United States, the murder rate for women residing on reservations is ten times higher than the national average, with murder being the third leading cause of death for Native women, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute.
Sadly, in Canada, the number of Indigenous women and girls who have been either killed or vanished surpasses the thousand mark. Statistically, Indigenous women in Canada are 12 times more likely to disappear or fall victim to murder than their non-Indigenous counterparts, as officially reported by the Canadian government.
In 2016, a national inquiry was initiated into missing and murdered women and girls in Canada. The inquiry concluded that the situation constitutes a "race-based genocide" specifically targeting Indigenous women, with Amnesty International also pointing towards a "genocidal crisis" in terms of the number of women murdered or missing.
"I'm unsure how an Emmy Award would truly contribute to addressing the daily issues we face," Woon-A-Tai shared with the Canadian Press, just before the event, calling from Curve Lake First Nation reservation in Ontario.
"It offers hope, though," he added. "It provides hope to a child living on a reservation that they too could someday share the stage and make a difference, just like I did."
Woon-A-Tai secured a nomination for his performance as Bear Smallhill in the FX series "Reservation Dogs," a comedy-drama that revolves around the lives of four native American teenagers residing on a reservation in Oklahoma. The series marked a historical milestone as the first American show ever to be entirely written and directed by Indigenous individuals, featuring a primarily Indigenous cast and crew.
At this year's Emmys, actresses Kali Reis and Lily Gladstone also made history, becoming the first Indigenous women to receive nominations in the acting category, as reported by Variety.
The actor's stylish choice of wearing a shawl with traditional Oji-Cree patterns on the red carpet was a tribute to his heritage, subtly incorporating the beauty and culture of his Indigenous roots into the glamorous event. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's rally often emphasizes the importance of preserving the beauty of Indigenous cultures and communities alongside their safety and rights.
