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Cherokee Nation Debuts Season 8 Of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People”

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The newest season of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” is back and bigger than ever with all new Cherokee stories. The groundbreaking docuseries shares compelling narratives of the people, places, history and culture of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the United States. Season eight of the tribe’s popular television series debuts online Thursday, April 6, at 7 p.m. CST at osiyo.tv, followed by a broadcast premiere on Sunday, April 9. “Cherokee Nation’s story is important, complex and, above all, inspiring to us and others,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “It’s an honor to see our tribe’s story of strength, survival and resilience, as well as our language and vibrant culture, being preserved and shared with people around the world through this impactful series.” This season will take viewers across the world to the waters of Pulau, to the London opera scene and back to the Cherokee Nation Reservation to pay tribute to a revered Medal of Honor recipient. OsiyoTV, as the popular series is often referred to as, will also introduce audiences to an action-packed stuntman and actor, as well as Miss Rodeo USA. “As a lifelong storyteller and now filmmaker, I can’t think of a more important story to share than that of our tribe’s incredible legacy and the individual experiences and achievements of Cherokee citizens, or a better means of sharing our culture. than through the powerful lens of filmmaking,” said Jennifer Loren, executive producer, director and host of OsiyoTV. “There is certainly no shortage of amazing and triumphant Cherokee stories to tell, and our team could not be prouder to be trusted with helping bring them to audiences everywhere.” In its eighth season, the Emmy-winning cultural series continues to explore Cherokee traditions and values; helps viewers learn to speak the Cherokee language; and features culture keepers, storytellers, first-language speakers, historical reenactments and much more. As part of its season premiere, OsiyoTV will highlight an incredible story of bravery and heroism by Medal of Honor recipient Dwight Birdwell and will continue to cross generations by featuring Cherokee youth and elders alike, while uplifting the accomplishments and lives of the Cherokee people throughout the new season. OsiyoTV is available statewide on PBS in Oklahoma and Arkansas, regionally within Tulsa on RSU-TV, in Joplin on NBC and ABC, as well as on FNX, an all-Native programming network in 25 national markets. The show is formatted for multiple platforms, including osiyo.tv, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitter and more. The documentary-style series, which ranks among the most awarded Indigenous-run series in the industry, is funded and produced by Cherokee Nation Businesses. For more information and to watch “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People,” please visit osiyo.tv.

About Cherokee Film

The mission of Cherokee Film is to reclaim Cherokee and Native narratives by increasing representation across film and media while creating an ecosystem that supports production and drives economic activity in the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the board-governed holding company of the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. One-hundred percent of the company’s profits support future business investments and the well-being of the tribe’s citizens through health care, education and job creation, ensuring better lives for Cherokees today and tomorrow.

For more information, please visit Cherokee.film or follow Cherokee Film on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

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Media Contact

Whitney Dittman

Whitney.Dittman@cnbglobal.com

918.729.4495

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Michael Musante

Film & TV Finance and Development Executive

Michael is the executive in charge of film and TV finance and development at Cherokee Film. Prior to that, he was vice president of film production and acquisitions at American Zoetrope for more than seven years and a co-founder, along with Roman Coppola, of The Decentralized Pictures Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent filmmaking and filmmakers from underserved and underrepresented communities. He continues to serve on its board. He is an attorney, admitted to practice in New York and North Carolina, and received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2001. He practiced law for 10 years before becoming a full-time creative film producer. He has worked closely with such accomplished filmmakers as Roman Coppola, Sofia Coppola, Gia Coppola, Ted Kotcheff, Martha Coolidge, Fred Roos and Richard Chew before and during his time at American Zoetrope. During his tenure at American Zoetrope, he oversaw the development and production of several feature films: Gia Coppola’s “Mainstream,” starring Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff and Jason Schwartzman; “Fairyland,” starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy; as well as the production of “The Outsiders” musical, which debuted on Broadway at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on April 11, 2024.

Todd Roberts

Soundstage Manager

Todd Roberts serves Cherokee Film as soundstage manager. He has more than 35 years of experience as a photographer and filmmaker. He is multi-passionate in skills and subject matter. He’s created more than 400 episodes of documentary-style television shows (“Doomsday Preppers,” “Man vs. Food Nation,” “Safari Hunter’s Journal,” “House Hunters International” and more) produced in 22 countries and airing nationally. Todd’s commercial films have served his clients well (American Express, Audi, Freightliner Trucks, Volkswagen, United Way, Walmart and many more). Todd’s productions have received numerous accolades (Addy Awards, Communicator Awards, Flame Awards, ITVA Awards, Summit Awards, Telly Awards, as well as awards from film festivals). While his skills and interests are broad, Todd’s overarching theme is the art of storytelling.

Maggie Cunningham

Pawnee Nation

Film Commissioner

Maggie Cunningham (Pawnee Nation) is a Regional Emmy-winning producer and the Cherokee Film Commissioner. Before joining the OsiyoTV team, Maggie worked in the museum and cultural heritage field. Her previous roles included positions as an archivist and tribal NAGPRA coordinator. She also spent time as a project manager for several Native-owned consultation and media production firms. She saw firsthand the impact an Indigenous narrative can have on a community during her time researching at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of Aotearoa (New Zealand). She continued to cultivate this focus in her years of cultural heritage work and storytelling. Her experience working within Native communities here in Oklahoma has only solidified her drive to tell authentic Native-led stories with the power and impact of film. Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in studio art and Native American studies. She earned her Master of Arts from New York University. Maggie resides in Tulsa with her family.

Hannah Roark

Cherokee Nation

Film & TV Development Specialist

Hannah Roark holds a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts and graduated with highest distinction from the University of Kansas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in English. She joined the Cherokee Film team in July 2022. Her prior film production experience includes work as an office production assistant, director’s assistant, production coordinator and associate producer. When she’s not at work, Hannah is writing screenplays, TV pilots, or collaborating in writers’ groups. She believes that every good story can be a great one.