Indigenous ‘Molly of Denali’ more than a cartoon for some
Charitie Ropati watched the pilot episode of “Molly of Denali” in her Columbia University dorm room, huddled around a computer screen with friends.
“We were crying,” Ropati said. “We realized we finally had positive representation.”
“Molly of Denali” is the first cartoon series with an Alaska Native character as the lead. It premiered nationwide on PBS Kids in July.
For many, it is more than a cartoon.
“Watching the show is a way for my Native friends and I to bond,” said 18-yearold Ropati, Yup’ik, who had just moved to New York City from Anchorage and was feeling homesick when the pilot aired. “PBS did such a good job. It is like my siblings, Native youth and myself can see ourselves in it.”
The series, in its first season, has Indigenous input at all levels of production, Indian Country Today reported. It includes 38 episodes, a podcast series and a collection of paperback books.
Dorothea Gillim is the series’ executive producer, a position she also held on “Curious George.” After working in the industry for many years, she says this program is special.
“I’ve never worked on a show where people tear up on a regular basis,” Gillim said.
Gillim says she recently heard about a non-Native family who wanted to make a trip to Alaska after watching the show. They called the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce to learn more about Alaska Native languages to prepare for their trip.
One of the talents she gathered was Princess Johnson, Neets’aii Gwich’in. Johnson is the creative producer of “Molly of Denali.”
Part of Johnson’s job is to advocate for Indigenous representation at every level of the creative process. This means making sure things are done “right” in every episode, interstitial (a short-program shown between episodes that features Alaska Native children), online tools, games and podcast. She also ensures Alaska Natives are included as writers, actors and producers.
A job like this didn’t always exist.
There are serious implications to many non-Native people creating media about Native people, a 2018 IllumiNative
report says. “The story they adopt is overwhelmingly one of deficit and disparity,” the report states. “This narrative can undermine relationships with other communities of color.”
Many say “Molly of Denali” challenges that.
The series was developed with a group of over 60 established Alaska Native or Indigenous advisers. The advisers are from every region of Alaska where the show takes place. For every character that is Native, their voice actor is Native too.
Beyond this, there is also a fellowship program for Alaska Native writers. Atomic Cartoons, the lead animation company of the series, holds internships for Alaska Natives.
Vera Starbard, T’ingit and Dena’ina, is a writer for “Molly.” She says she has worked on many artistic projects that involve Alaska Native people. “I’ve never experienced this level of dedication to getting it right,” she said.
Producers of the show use other liberties to showcase Alaska’s diversity. One of “Molly’s” best friends is Tooey Ookami, a 10-year-old boy who is Koyukon, Yup’ik and Japanese. The other is Trini Mumford, a 7-year-old African American girl.
“We wanted to reflect the true diversity of Alaska and the public media,” said Johnson. Alaska is home to 229 tribes.
Johnson says it is especially heartwarming to hear about people’s reaction to the show.
One time Johnson remembers being at a children’s museum when a mother said her son was showing interest in his Inupiaq culture because of the show.
“That is the ultimate goal,” says Johnson. “It is a joy to see that sort of reaction.”