Molly of Denali: Indigenous Representation in Entertainment

Sep 24

Thursday October 21st at 7.30pm

Speakers: Sydney Isaacs (Production Coordinator) & Yatibaey Evans (Creative Producer)

Event Recording:

Join us to learn about the representation of indigenous communities in film and TV, and about the development and production of the groundbreaking PBS Kids show, Molly of Denali!

Yatibaey Evans is from Mentasta, Alaska and is part of the Ahtna culture, stewards of the Copper River region. Yatibaey has four incredible sons ranging from ages 20-7. She has a BA from University of WA and a MAT from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Evans is the Creative Producer for the GBH series, Molly of Denali. From 2011-2021, the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program was led by Yatibaey. During that time the Native Youth Olympics program expanded from 1 team to 7. The ANE Literacy challenge was created in Yatibaey's first year; and in 2020, students in K-12 learned about the "Decades of Advocacy" that Alaska Natives have been at the forefront of. Alaska Children's Trust is awarding Ms. Evans, the Champion For Kid's award. Additionally, she was awarded the Friend of Education, award from the Fairbanks Education Association. She is past President of the United Way of the Tanana Valley, Chair of the ANE Parent Advisory Committee, and a Commissioner on Serve Alaska. In 2017, Yatibaey was recognized as one of Alaska's Top 40 Under 40. Yatibaey has also served on the University of Alaska's Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Native Education, Governor Walker's, "Alaska's Education Challenge'', Chaired the Human Resources committee for the National Congress of American Indians, and was the first Alaska Native president of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA). Hobbies include: painting, gardening, reading, snowboarding, biking, blueberry picking, and doing puzzles.

Sydney Isaacs is a Tlingit woman of the Kaax'oos.hittaan (Man’s Footprint House) clan, who was born and raised in Klawock, Alaska. As a life-long artist and storyteller, she was determined to further her education, spread awareness of her culture, and support her artistic passions by enrolling with the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her time at IAIA, she successfully obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts and Technology along with a Certificate of Business and Entrepreneurship. After her graduation, Sydney was awarded an IAIA Fellowship at GBH, which led to her current role as a Production Coordinator on the PBS Kids show, Molly of Denali, where in addition to her role, she serves as a Tlingit Cultural Advisor and new writer for the series.