AMC Networks & the Biden-Harris Administration Celebrated Native American Heritage Month with ‘Dark Winds’ Screening Event at the White House

Written by John Edward Betancourt

All Photos from This Event Courtesy of AMC Networks.

One of the most amazing aspects of peak television in this day and age, is that we are finally starting to see proper representation take place on the small screen. Courtesy of television shows that are finally putting the real America on display and are exploring corners of our history that so many have forgotten, and it is allowing for people to be seen, and heard and it is also allowing… for more dynamic celebrations of culture to take place as evidenced by what happened at the White House last Friday. For AMC Networks, and the cast of the hit series, Dark Winds, dropped by to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in a unique manner.
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Courtesy of a special screening of season three of the show, complete with a panel discussion and reception. All of which was a proper way to celebrate this important month since the cast consists of Native American actors and explores its culture and it was wonderful to know that the cast spoke about the show and showcased this important series. And to properly pay this event tribute, here is a quick summary of the event and some photos from it as well, to reinforce the power of representation on television.   

‘On Friday, November 22, AMC Networks, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, hosted a celebration of National Native American Heritage Month at The White House featuring a reception, panel discussion and advanced screening of the Dark Winds Season 3 premiere episode. Series stars Zahn McClarnon (The Son, Westworld, Fargo), Kiowa Gordon (The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico), Jessica Matten (Rez Ball, Tribal, Burden of Truth) and Deanna Allison(Accused, Edge of America) along with Executive Producers Graham Roland, John Wirth, Chris Eyre, Tina Elmo and Jim Chory and Co-Producer Steven Paul Judd were in attendance in Washington D.C. The event included a reception and an introduction from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, followed by a welcome from Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and opening remarks from Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. The audience then enjoyed a conversation with McClarnon, Gordon, Matten, Roland and Eyre, moderated by New York Magazine’s TV Critic Jen Chaney. During this important time, the Administration and AMC Networks are committed to honoring the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Tribal Nations and Native peoples.
 
Dark Winds is a critically acclaimed noir thriller based on the iconic Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman. Season 3 will premiere exclusively onAMC and AMC+ on Sunday, March 9 at 9pm ET/PT. Ahead of the Season 3 premiere, viewers can catch up on the captivating first two seasons of Dark Winds on AMC+ and via the AMC Collection on Netflix. 

The expanded third season, featuring eight episodes, picks up six months after the events of Season 2 and follows Lt. Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Gordon) as they investigate the disappearance of two boys, with only an abandoned bicycle and blood-stained patch of ground left in their wake. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito (Matten) attempts to settle into her new life 500 miles from home with the Border Patrol, but stumbles across a conspiracy involving human and drug smuggling with far-reaching implications.
 
Joining this season as guest stars are Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg, Fear the Walking Dead) as FBI Special Agent Sylvia Washington, Bruce Greenwood(The Fall of the House of Usher, The Resident) as Tom Spenser, Raoul Max Trujillo (Mayans M.C., Blue Beetle) as Budge, Tonantzin Carmelo (La Brea,The English) as Border Patrol Agent Eleanda Garza, Alex Meraz (The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Walking Dead) as Border Patrol Agent Ivan Muños, Terry Serpico (Law & Order SVU, Yellowstone) as Border Patrol Senior Chief Ed Henry, Derek Hinkey (American Primeval, Americana) as Shorty Bowlegs, Phil Burke (Hell on Wheels, Rabbit Hole) as Michael Halsey, and Christopher Heyerdahl (Under the Banner of Heaven, Hell on Wheels) as Dr Reynolds. This season also sees the return of guest star A. Martinez(Longmire, Days of Our Lives) as Scarborough Police Department Acting Chief Gordo Sena.

Dark Winds is created by Graham Roland (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Returned, Almost Human, Fringe). John Wirth (Hell of Wheels, Hap and Leonard) serves as showrunner. The series is executive produced by Roland, Wirth, McClarnon, Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin, Chris Eyre, Tina Elmo, Jim Chory, Vince Gerardis and Anne Hillerman.’

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