RedPath Representation: Why Indigenous Representation Matters to Us

At RedPath, we believe representation is about more than simply showing Indigenous faces on screen or including a land acknowledgment. It’s about respect, accuracy, and making sure Indigenous voices are being heard. Media has an incredible power to influence how people see the world and interact with each other. Over the years, I have been quoted most for my belief that when we educate the masses we help create compassion and racism dies in the face of compassion. For too long, Indigenous people have been left out of that conversation, or worse, portrayed through negative stereotypes that perpetuate a narrative that doesn’t reflect who we truly are. Our mission is to change that.

Why Authentic Representation Is So Important

When Indigenous stories are told accurately and by those who live them, people get to see the richness and diversity of our communities. We are not one single culture or identity, we are a part of hundreds of Nations, each with our own languages, histories, and ways of life. At RedPath, we believe authentic representation means showing this diversity instead of collapsing it into one generic pan-Indigenous image. It’s about letting Indigenous people tell our own stories in our own voices and bringing diversity into the spotlight.

When outsiders tell Indigenous stories without our input, it often leads to perpetuated negative stereotypes, oversimplified pan-Indigenous portrayals, boundaries that have been overstepped, and protocols that have not been respected. For example, someone from one Nation may not know certain customs in another Nation are sacred and not meant to be shown on camera. These misrepresentations do real harm and can shake our community members to the core, that is why it is so important to have respected community leaders from the host communities that are being represented as a part of the project. This helps ensure proper representation, which can shape public perception, influence government policy, and even influence how Indigenous youth see themselves. We believe every story has a responsibility: to respect the communities it represents and to reflect them truthfully, thoughtfully, and in a respectful way.

The Problem with “Pan-Indigenous” Portrayals

One of the biggest issues in mainstream media is “Pan-Indigenous” representation, the idea that all Indigenous people look and live the same way. You’ve seen it: regalia from one Nation used to represent all Indigenous peoples, or a single character written as if they somehow stand in for hundreds of unique cultures. These portrayals erase the specific experiences and traditions that make each Nation unique.

We know how much cultural detail matters. A story about a Cree family is not the same as a story about a Dene, Anishinaabe, Inuit, or Métis family. It also carries far greater meaning when actors from that Nation are the ones portraying characters from their own Nation in the story. At RedPath, we’re committed to telling community-specific stories, ensuring that the details, the language, cultural practices, perspectives, and protocols are rooted in the community the story is about. This isn’t just about “getting it right”; it’s about showing respect, and authentic storytelling.

What is “Tokenism”?

Tokenism happens when a production includes one Indigenous actor or character just to check a diversity box, without giving Indigenous voices any real say in how the story is told. It’s like inviting someone into the room but not letting them speak. Tokenism can happen both on screen and behind the scenes. Maybe an Indigenous character is included, but the script is written entirely by non-Indigenous writers, with no cultural consultants on board, or cultural elements are used without proper context or understanding or without respecting the protocols.

At RedPath, we know true representation isn’t just about who’s in front of the camera. It’s about who’s behind it, advising, writing, directing, producing, designing, and helping make the creative and cultural decisions. That’s why we work to ensure Indigenous people are involved at every stage. We believe representation should empower Indigenous creatives, giving them space not just to contribute and collaborate, but also to lead.

What does it mean to respect protocol?

Protocols are the cultural practices and steps that must be taken to gain permission and guidance from elders and/or knowledge keepers before including something in your story. These steps vary from Nation to Nation, but they are always rooted in respect, relationship, and responsibility.

It’s important to understand that even if you go through the proper protocols, at any point community leaders may decide that an aspect of the story, or even the entire story itself, should not be shared. That decision must always be respected when working in Indigenous communities.

Respecting protocol can look very different in each community. Every Nation has its own customs, and to honor them you need to be in contact with the right leaders and knowledge keepers in the Nation whose story is being told. In many cases, this means consulting with not just one, but several respected voices in the community, since no single individual carries all knowledge.

Protocols may include offering tobacco, gifts, or food, participating in ceremony, or respecting seasonal or spiritual timing around when certain stories can or cannot be told. It’s about maintaining ongoing consent, asking the right questions, and taking the time to build genuine trust.

At RedPath, through our network we are able to help connect you with the right community members who can provide this guidance. We support you along the way in navigating these conversations respectfully, and we help you feel confident in your interactions with Indigenous communities. Our role is to make connections and facilitate meaningful, long-lasting relationships built on trust, reciprocity, and respect for community boundaries. 

How We Support Businesses and Creators

We help productions and organizations with projects that prioritize respectful cultural authenticity. When we partner with businesses, we connect them with the Indigenous creatives best suited for their project, whether they are writers, directors, producers, designers, elders, or knowledge keepers.

Beyond the creative process, we also support businesses in bringing authentic Indigenous representation into their brands, campaigns, and teams behind the scenes. This means ensuring that Indigenous voices are centered not just in individual projects, but in the way a company moves through the world and represents itself to the public. By aligning with the Indigenous community on brand storytelling, authentic representation and collaboration, businesses can demonstrate real commitment to inclusion, respect, and social responsibility.

As we work together, we help businesses understand cultural protocols and communicate respectfully with elders and community leaders to ensure projects build positive, lasting relationships with Indigenous communities. For us, it’s not just about delivering one good project, it’s about creating a sustainable model of collaboration that uplifts Indigenous communities, respects Indigenous knowledge, and creates opportunities for Indigenous talent to thrive.

Accurate Representation

Authentic Indigenous representation is a commitment, a responsibility to keep learning, keep improving, and keep listening. At RedPath, we build long-term relationships with Indigenous creatives and communities. We focus on mentorship, training, and opening doors for Indigenous talent across media industries.

We believe that when Indigenous creatives are empowered to tell their own stories, everyone benefits. The media we all consume becomes richer, more diverse, and more truthful. Indigenous youth get to see themselves on screen in ways that make them proud. And audiences everywhere get to learn about cultures and experiences that might be different from their own but are just as valuable and human.

Final Thoughts

At RedPath, we’re proud to stand alongside Indigenous creatives, supporting them at every step of the storytelling process. We believe representation isn’t just about visibility, it’s about voice, agency, and the power to shape our own narratives. When Indigenous people tell their own stories, we move beyond stereotypes and tokenism into something powerful, healing, and transformative.

We invite others, whether you’re a business, a creative team, or simply someone who cares, to join us in reimagining representation. Because when Indigenous voices are heard and trusted, we all get better, truer, and more inspiring stories.

– Marika Sila (RedPath Founder)