'It's bittersweet': Oklahomans ready for the final season of 'Reservation Dogs'

From the Deer Lady to the Tall Man, the hit streaming series "Reservation Dogs" has worked many Native American legends into its episodes over its past two critically acclaimed seasons.

But it's the myths that the made-in-Oklahoma show has busted in the past two years that Crystal Echo Hawk appreciates the most.

"There's been a longstanding myth that 'Oh, well, it's only going to be Native people that are interested in Native content. The Native population is not that big, so therefore, there's not a real audience for this.' And I think one of the many, many powerful things that 'Reservation Dogs' did was blow the lid off that and really show that Native stories are for everyone," said Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of the Tulsa-based Native woman-led racial and social justice organization IllumiNative.

"Nielsen found last year that a substantial part of the viewership is non-Native. These are just great stories. So, I think it's bittersweet — and I think it's going to be an incredible final season."

Sterlin Harjo, the Tulsa-based co-creator and showrunner of "Reservation Dogs," announced Thursday that the award-winning comedy will end at the conclusion of its upcoming third season, which will premiere Aug. 2 on the streaming service Hulu.

"That’s a difficult line to write and a more difficult decision to make. However, it’s the correct decision creatively for the show. I always knew what the end of this story would be, I just didn’t know when it would arrive," Harjo posted on Instagram.

"As we continued to break stories and write scripts this season, it became clear to the producers, Taika (Waititi, the show's co-creator) and me that the season three finale is the perfect SERIES finale.

"When we came up with the idea for ‘Reservation Dogs,’ I didn’t think the show would ever get made, but thankfully it did.”

'Reservation Dogs' blazes trails for Oklahoma film and in Native representation

Filmed primarily in Oklahoma, "Reservation Dogs" has become a critical smash, appearing on the best TV shows of 2022 lists from USA Today, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and more.  

Many industry watchers are hoping the coming-of-age comedy about four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma will make the list when the Primetime Emmy Award nominations are announced July 12.

(The series was snubbed by the Emmys last year, but still earned a Peabody Award, a Gotham Award and two Independent Spirit Awards.) 

The series — co-created and executive produced by Waititi, an Oscar-winning New Zealand moviemaker who is of Maori ancestry, and Harjo, a native Oklahoman and longtime indie filmmaker who is Seminole and Muscogee — has been blazing trails since it debuted on Hulu in 2021.  

"Reservation Dogs" is not only the first full-time, scripted network television series to film entirely in Oklahoma, but it's also the first mainstream TV show on which every writer, director and series regular performer is Indigenous.     

"It was an honor to host “Reservation Dogs” in Oklahoma for three outstanding seasons. ... Sterlin Harjo championed the production of ‘Reservation Dogs’ in Oklahoma, which throughout its run has created thousands of career and engagement opportunities for our local industry professionals, businesses and statewide communities," Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Jeanette Stanton said in a Friday statement to The Oklahoman.

"We are grateful to Sterlin and the entire 'Reservation Dogs' production team for their work, and celebrate the spotlight shown on Native voices as well as its cultural impact and legacy which will forever remain a touchstone of both the overall entertainment industry and Oklahoma’s production landscape.”

Set in the fictional reservation community of Okern, Oklahoma, the series has filmed primarily in and around Okmulgee, and seeing the production's impact on his district encouraged state Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, to become a strong proponent of the state's film industry and incentive.

"We are all proud of the accomplishments and talent brought to our community and state by Sterlin Harjo. Oklahoma’s thriving film industry is a great opportunity for all citizens in Oklahoma," Fetgatter said in an email Friday to The Oklahoman.

"Okmulgee County will miss the lights, camera, action and casting calls from 'Reservation Dogs,' but being a film-ready community we also look forward to the next production that passes through our area. We wish all the cast and crew great success in the future."

'It's just a pride in our home' for Muscogee people to watch 'Reservation Dogs'

The headquarters of the Muscogee Nation is in Okmulgee, and the tribe hosted the Season 2 premiere for the series last year at its River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa.

Jason Salsman, Muscogee Nation press secretary, said he often felt like the famous meme of Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at the television when he watched "Reservation Dogs."

"A wide range of Natives can relate to the subject matter and the things that are being explored in the series. But I think for us more specifically, as Muscogees, it's just a pride in our home. We're watching a television show that is a global phenomenon that people are watching around the world, and it's showing the places that only we know, our inherent community spots," said Salsman, who worked with the scouting and locations crew on "Reservation Dogs."

"I love it because while it is this gift to Indian Country, there's a specialness of that gift specifically for us as Muscogee people, because we're seeing our home. We're seeing our humor. Most of the (Native) language is our language. Most of the references are Creek references. Sterlin certainly did an incredible job crafting a show that not only speaks to the whole of Indian Country, but it really gets down to the heart and the specificity of what it is to be Muscogee (Creek)."

'Reservation Dogs,' 'Rutherford Falls,' 'Dark Winds' and more put Native stories in the forefront

"Reservation Dogs" has made viewers laugh, cry and gasp as they've followed the misadventures of tight-knit teens Elora Danan Postoak (Devery Jacobs), Bear Smallhill (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Willie Jack Sampson (Paulina Alexis) and Cheese Williams (Oklahoman Lane Factor) and their colorful community.  

Ahead of the streaming series' Season 3 premiere, the first season of "Reservation Dogs" made its cable television debut June 26 on FX. The cable network is airing two episodes from Season 1 at 9 p.m. Mondays for four weeks, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

After the cable run for Season 1, Hulu subscribers soon will find out what happens to the "Rez Dogs" after they finally made it to California at the end of Season 2. 

FX confirmed that "Reservation Dogs" would end with Season 3 in a statement released to social media.

"People throw around the words historic and groundbreaking far too often and without merit: ‘Reservation Dogs’ is worthy of those superlatives. Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi created one of the most important TV shows ever made. They gave the world a wholly unique, original, and honest portrayal of Native people — one that has never before been seen in television or film," reads the FX statement in part.

"It’s difficult to say goodbye to these indelible characters and to an award-winning series. ... That said, we support Sterlin and Taika’s decision to end the series in a way that will cement its legacy."

Although the recently canceled Peacock streaming comedy "Rutherford Falls" and "Reservation Dogs" blazed new trails by putting Indigenous creatives in charge of telling Native stories, the trend is being continued by the upcoming second season of "Dark Winds," the fall debut of the Marvel series "Echo" and the planned Netflix feature film "Rez Ball," which Harjo co-wrote with Navajo director Sydney Freeland, who worked with him on "Reservation Dogs."

“Native-led TV shows such as 'Reservation Dogs' and 'Rutherford Falls' have proven what we knew all along — that we have many great stories to tell and people want to see them,” said Jennifer Loren, senior director of Cherokee Film, in a statement to The Oklahoman.

“One thing we can count on is that the world will continue having opportunities to watch more Native-led content because our storytellers are not done and we are invested in this industry.”

Echo Hawk, an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, said "Reservation Dogs" also helped break through the myth that there aren't enough talented Indigenous actors, writers and directors to create relatable original stories for film and television.

"What an amazing show, when we think about what's depicted on the screen with the Native actors and the representation, but to look at the Indigenous representation above and below the line, that is such a powerful story. ... It's just such an incredible gift that Sterlin and Taika not only busted opened the door for this show, but really held that door open for so many Indigenous creatives," she said.

"I love that Sterlin referenced in his statement that just because the series is ending with this season, I don't think we're done seeing and maybe potentially hearing from these characters down the road. Certainly, we're going to be seeing a lot of the Indigenous creatives that were part of this show. I think we're going to look back and see that 'Reservation Dogs' launched and propelled the careers of many."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahomans, Natives react to word that 'Reservation Dogs' is ending