The National Museum of the American Indian will be hosting a free online on demand event featuring the aunties of “Reservation Dogs” March 1 – 31st. Reservation Dogs is a surprise hit television series that follows a group of four indigenous teenagers, Bear Smallhill, Elora Danan, Willie Jack, and Cheese in rural Oklahoma as they come to terms with the death of their close friend, Daniel.

The fact that every writer, director and series regular are all Native Americana has drawn a lot of attention and praise from critics and the public.

The Smithsonian’s si.edu/ events website invites viewers to celebrate the talented Indigenous women from the hit television series who are referred to as the Reservation Dogs “aunties.” The website ask viewers to join the museum in a conversation with one of the female writers/directors, Tazbah Chavez (Diné /Nüümü/ San Carlos Apache), and the actresses who play the comedic and sassy aunties, a group of adults that have been friends since childhood. The actresses include Sarah Podemski (Anishinaabe/Ashkenazi) playing Rita Smallhill, Bear’s mother who works at the Indian clinic. Rita is raising Bear by herself while her deadbeat ex is trying to be a rapper in California.

Also joining the discussion will be Tamara Podemski (Anishinaabe/Ashkenazi) who plays “Teenie,” Bear’s aunt on his father’s side in the Reservation Dogs series but she is actually Sarah’s sister in real life.

Panel member Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux) plays the role of “Bev,” the snarly receptionist at the Indian clinic where Rita works.

Rounding out the panel is Nathalie Standingcloud (Cherokee Nation), who plays “Natalie,” a receptionist in the optometry department at the Indian Clinic where Rita works.

The Smithsonian website explains the panel discussion will provide insight into the representation of Indigenous women in the media and the importance of their stories being told in their own voices. The panel will also discuss their role in breaking stereotypes, and the power of humor in storytelling.

Chavez explains that she first met Reservation Dog’s creator Sterlin Harjo in 2008, when she was a teenager attending film festivals. Sterlin and Reservation Dogs co-creator Taika Waititi were a couple of the many artists that responded to her writing.

The “Aunties” are probably best known for their outstanding performance in episode 5 of the second season of Reservation Dogs, which was written and directed by Chavez. In this episode, titled “Wide Net,” the four childhood friends enjoy a girl’s trip to an out-oftown Indian Health Services conference.

Sarah Podemski first worked with Sterlin in his film, “Mekko,” which won her best supporting actress award at the American Indian Film Festival.

Tamera first worked with Sterlin Harjo in his first film as a director, “Four Sheets to the Wind.” She also plays Deputy Sheriff Joy on the series “Outer Range.”

Schmieding is the star and one of the writers on Peacock’s Rutherford Falls.

Nathalie Standingcloud is from Tahlequah and has also known Sterlin Harjo for some time. She was an extra in his film, “Mekko” and has performed alongside him at live 1491’s comedy shows.

The panel discussion will be accessible from the americanindian.si.edu website when it begins airing on March 1.