I’m not going to say “Good for them for picking a First Nations actor,” because I think that ought to be the bare minimum expectation in a series like this.

I do have the question (and it’s really a question, I’m not trying to be an ass—I’m just naturally good at it), should it matter that they are using an actor from a tribe so disconnected from the tribe of the story? I mean it actually matters that we’re talking about Lakota Sioux, because this story is so largely the story of their condition and the shit they have to deal with in this country. Yes, it’s fictionalized and heavily dramatized, but honestly if you’ve spent any time on some reservations, the scary part is how much of it is stuff many people there deal with as the quotidian.

So does it matter if you cast a Japanese-American actor to play a Chinese-American character? Is a member of a Native American tribe from Western Mexico actually a solution? Again, I’m REALLY asking and I hope not be spammed with knee-jerk responses, but I’m (hoping I’m) ready for it. I’m torn. I kind of think there are some excellent Sioux, or actors from tribes more closely related by blood, language, or geography. Which begs the question, how close in any or all of these things would be enough? I get that this is a problematic way to think about it.

I’m not trying to start a movement to kick Meraz out or to even complain to him. I just notice this question in me and I’m not sure how to answer it.