The producers of ABC’s new drama “Big Sky” issued a statement last week apologizing for overlooking the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis in Montana after the show drew criticism from Indigenous groups. But “Big Sky” is facing more backlash this week after failing to follow filming protocols of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).
Robert McDonald, the communication director of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes, says ABC’s “Big Sky” producers are potentially exploiting the CSKT by filming buildings and portraying a council member without permission or consultation.
"The showrunners claim publicly that their 'eyes were opened.' What the 'Big Sky' makers did was plan an unauthorized shoot, depicting CSKT's tribal buildings and leaders, including a council person, with zero consultation with the tribes," McDonald said.
Chairwoman Shelly Fyant says the tribes were contacted on Wednesdaywith a request to verify the accuracy of a CSKT military seal, which she says was their first indication the show was planning to portray the tribes for a rewrite of Big Sky’s later episodes.
"No permission, no introduction to the tribal council. And that is our protocol. As it is with any sovereign nation, you come to the tribal council first," Fyant said.
Chairwoman Fyant says ABC’s failure to seek the tribes’ permission is insulting and CSKT are not interested in being a “token tribe” in the series.
"We're not subcontracting out our identity or our government. And these are very real families that are affected by this," Fyant said.
Fyant says it’s ironic this is happening the same week the tribes are finalizing their Tribal Community Response Plan to make it easier for law enforcement to work together on missing Indigenous persons cases.
Eight more Indigenous organizations on Thursdsay joined a collection of international Indigenous groups, including the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, and all eight Montana tribes, in asking ABC executives to speak with them about the show. A letter from the groups urged ABC to avoid token gestures and engage in real discussion.
ABC has not yet responded to these requests.
