A Native American Tale
Osiyo (Hello)
Life is filled with mystery—both in what is yet to be understood, and in the depths we are willing to explore within ourselves. This project has been one of the most meaningful expressions of my life: an opportunity to share my Indigenous heritage (Cherokee) on a global scale, and to bring light to a story that has, in many ways, been dimmed over time.
​
From a very young age, before I could fully speak, I was given my Native American name, EagleDancer. Within my culture, a name carries deep significance. It is often connected to one’s totem—a spiritual relationship that reflects a lifelong connection to a guiding force. This connection is not fixed, but something that strengthens through awareness, respect, and practice. It is a relationship that can guide, protect, and inform one’s path through life.
​
Through this short documentary, I offer a glimpse into the wisdom of my culture—the responsibility we carry, the importance of connection, and the deep respect for all living beings and for the Earth that sustains us.
​
My hope is simple: that something within this story sparks in you. A curiosity. A remembrance. A deeper connection—to yourself, to others, and to the living world around you.
Director's Statement
As a first-time director and producer, Totem marks the beginning of a deeply personal and global journey. This short documentary was born from a calling—to share a message that feels both ancient and urgently needed in today’s world.
My father is a Native American medicine man, and I have been in training within this lineage since the age of eight. Through this upbringing, I was exposed to a way of seeing the world that honors the profound relationship between humans, animals, ancestors, and the natural world. It is a perspective rooted in respect, reciprocity, and interconnectedness.
​
I felt there was a gap in storytelling—one that often overlooks the spiritual and relational depth of First Nations cultures. Totem seeks to illuminate one aspect of this: the sacred communion between people, their ancestors, and the living world around them. It is a story not of separation, but of unity—where humanity exists in balance with all living things, working in harmony with the Earth rather than in opposition to it.
​
This film was originally developed during my Bachelor of Film studies at SAE Creative Institute in Brisbane, Australia. Completed in September 2021 and further refined in early 2022, it is a fully self-funded project and a labor of devotion.
My hope is that Totem invites reflection, deepens compassion, and inspires a renewed awareness of our place within the greater web of life. This is not just a film, but the foundation of a larger vision—to collaborate with First Nations communities around the world, sharing their stories, wisdom, and ways of being.
​
Totem is only the beginning.
Director's Biography
As an actor of over a decade, my path has always been guided by a desire to contribute to meaningful storytelling—work that inspires positive change and supports a more conscious, connected world. While I continue to pursue acting, filmmaking has long been on my horizon as a natural extension of that purpose: to not only perform within stories, but to create them.
My energy and enthusiasm are at the core of everything I do. I approach my work with full commitment—giving everything I have to each project, with the intention of creating something that resonates beyond the screen.
I was raised within a deeply spiritual lineage. My father is a Native American medicine man, and I have been in training since the age of eight, learning alongside him and with teachers from various cultures around the world. Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that my role is not to claim knowledge, but to remain a lifelong student—seeking to learn from diverse perspectives, traditions, and ways of understanding what it means to heal.
With that comes responsibility. I have witnessed spaces where words are spoken without embodiment—where teachings are shared without lived truth. My intention is to walk with integrity: to live what I speak, and to create from a place of authenticity. To ensure that what I offer—whether through film or presence—is grounded, respectful, and real.
Filmmaking, to me, is a powerful tool for transformation. As an actor, I have experienced firsthand how stories can move people—inviting reflection, joy, grief, clarity, and action. When done with intention, film becomes more than entertainment; it becomes a form of healing. It has the ability to shift perspective, awaken emotion, and inspire change.
My purpose is to contribute to that evolution—to create visual works that encourage humanity to grow into more aware, compassionate, and connected versions of ourselves.
This is the work. And I am committed to being part of that change.
"We are only limited by our own limitations"
- Mivon Prince - Leyva
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities.
Let's connect.
+61 466402531
Based in Australia