Welcome to another episode of Impact Unfiltered, where we dive deep into honest conversations with leaders creating real change in healthcare and beyond. In this session, recorded at the Tribal Self-Governance Conference, host Philippe sits down with Jeremy Charles, a Cherokee filmmaker based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the founder of Pursuit Films — now 12 years uninterrupted creating documentaries with tribal nations across Indian country.
Jeremy Charles shares the philosophy behind “storytelling with sovereignty in mind” — building Native capacity to tell Native stories, with sovereignty as the resolution to the conflicts at the heart of every story. He explains why mainstream audiences are finally listening, the historical barriers that kept Native filmmakers out of the industry for generations, and how Pursuit Films created the “For Our People” documentary series for Tribal Self-Governance to translate dense policy into stories that touch the heart.
With reflections on relationship-building, the extra context needed when telling tribal stories, and a clear-eyed thesis that impact follows capacity, this episode is a working guide for anyone trying to build authentic Native media.
Tune in for a conversation about Native filmmaking, capacity-building, and the power of letting good stories rise on their own.
1. Introduction to Impact Unfiltered and Episode Overview
- The podcast’s mission: real conversations with leaders driving change in healthcare, business, and community
- Setting the scene at the Tribal Self-Governance Conference
- Introduction of guest: Jeremy Charles of Pursuit Films
2. Background and Role of Guest (Jeremy Charles)
- Cherokee filmmaker based in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Founded Pursuit Films in 2014 — 12 years uninterrupted
- Works with tribal self-governance organizations across Indian country
- Produces documentaries about tribal people and the success stories that come from self-governance
3. Storytelling With Sovereignty in Mind
- The framing of Jeremy Charles’s conference session
- Goal: provide a roadmap for communities to empower their own storytelling
- Every good story needs conflict and resolution
- Sovereignty is the resolution to many of the conflicts facing Indian country
- Quote: “Sovereignty leads to positive outcomes for Indian country… sovereignty is a solution to a lot of challenges in Indian country.”
4. Indian Country’s Complicated History With the Camera
- Since the invention of the camera, other people have been telling Native stories
- Native peoples weren’t allowed the platform — “it was just oppression”
- The last 15–20 years have seen a major buildup of Native storytelling capacity and talent
- Quote: “If you are a Gila River citizen, your people should be telling your story.”
5. Why Mainstream Is Finally Listening
- For years the argument was: “Who’s the audience? Native Americans are a small percentage.”
- Recent flagship shows and documentaries featuring Native people have proven the audience exists
- Nearly 600 federally recognized tribes (and more non-recognized), each a distinct culture
- Native peoples are now eager to share because people are finally listening
6. Building Capacity in Native Filmmaking
- Jeremy Charles came up pre-digital revolution — film and even VHS gear were prohibitively expensive
- Today, technology has democratized high-quality gear
- Native kids have the same access to tools as anyone else
- Pursuit Films focuses on putting cameras in young people’s hands and developing storytelling instincts
- Technical skills are easier; creativity takes longer to develop
7. The “For Our People” Documentary Series
- Started working with Tribal Self-Governance roughly four years ago
- Created a new platform for tribal self-governance messaging — translating policy into relatable stories
- Produces at least four documentaries per year, premiered at the conference
- This year: two short films premiere Tuesday plenary, two more on Thursday
- Subjects come to the conference, see themselves on screen, take the stage, and become examples for other tribes
- Quote: “All these policies have real outcomes and real people’s lives. If we can tell those stories, then more people will listen to the nuances.”
8. Storytelling for Tribal Nations Requires Extra Context
- Mainstream audiences lack context — tribal documentaries often need history and background up front
- You have to “walk backwards” before getting into the story
- Generational reticence around media is real — trust takes longer to build
- More tender love and care, more relationship-building, longer time horizons
9. Impact Follows Capacity
- Impact comes after capacity is built
- The current work is catching up — putting cameras in hands and empowering people to tell their own stories
- As more artists become involved, the platform develops naturally
- Good stories rise on their own
- Quote: “If you have a great story, people will listen to it and it will break through the noise.”
10. How to Connect with Jeremy Charles and Pursuit Films
- Pursuit Films: pursuitfilms.com
- Tribal Self-Governance: tribalselfgov.org
11. Closing Remarks and Gratitude
- Host recognition of Jeremy Charles’s work in Native storytelling
- Appreciation for the capacity he is building across Indian country
- Encouragement to continue making more stories — the great ones will rise
