Fancy Dance Explores The Beauty of Indigenous Womanhood

In the Apple TV+ film Fancy Dance, Indigenous actresses Lily Gladstone and Isabel DeRoy-Olson come together to share the story of Jax and her 13-year-old niece Roki. Set in present-day Oklahoma, the film follows the aunt and niece on the Seneca-Cayuga Reservation as they work to find Tawi (Hauli Sioux Gray) — Jax’s sister and Roki’s mother — who has been missing for two weeks. There’s been no trace since her last sighting, nor updates in her open missing person case.

At the beginning of the film, it’s evident that the aunt and niece act on routine schemes to support themselves in Tawi’s absence, like when the pair work together to steal the keys and wallet of a nearby fisherman.

While Jax is working to support Roki, Roki is set on attending the annual Grand Nation Powwow in Oklahoma City with Tawi like they do every year, saving every dollar she makes towards the powwow entry fees. With little hope that Tawi will attend the powwow, Jax takes on the task of searching for her sister.

But Jax and Roki come to a crossroads when Child Protective Services visits their home and express their concern over whether Jax is a fit guardian for Roki. Later in the film, CPS places Roki under the guardianship of her maternal grandfather, Frank (Shea Whigman) and his wife, Nancy (Audrey Wasilewski). Because Frank and Nancy are white, they have a harder time understanding the essence of indigeneity and the importance of attending a powwow. And this isn’t the only time where Frank and Nancy display their cultural ignorance; during Frank and Nancy’s first visit to Jax and Roki’s home, Nancy’s refers to Roki’s tribal regalia as a “costume.”

Moments like these are just a glimpse of the actual microaggressions Indigenous people still experience today. Through these scenes, Fancy Dance shines a light on the lack of attention, resources and respect that individuals of Indigenous backgrounds (much like Jax and Roki) are left to grapple with.

At the height of the film, Jax sneakily visits Roki’s window at Frank’s residence in the middle of the night and enacts a plan to take Roki to the powwow as she desires. But when Frank and Nancy notice Roki is gone, the duo’s plans are further complicated.

During their adventure, Roki also experiences her first period, which she refers to as receiving her “moon”. In a touching sequence, Jax not only guides her on how to treat and manage her period, but allows there to be a space for Roki to ask questions about this pivotal moment in her life. Fancy Dance opts for a lighthearted way of discussing what could be an awkward and complicated topic, and does so effortlessly. It gives the audience a peek into the strong womanhood and sisterhood that’s found not just within Indigenous culture in general, but also between the aunt and niece.

Throughout Fancy Dance, viewers can feel Jax’s maternal instincts kick in as she works to protect Roki in any way she can. Although Jax lacks the best decision-making at times, she also does everything in her power to find her missing sister, all while looking after Roki.

Fancy Dance not only spotlights the ongoing problem of missing Indigenous women whose cases are not looked into with enough care, but also the importance of continuing traditions and values through generations. This is done not only through Jax and Roki’s story, but also with the film’s script transitioning between both English and Caguya (North Iroquoian) languages.

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Gladstone’s performance as Jax shows her true versatility in indulging whatever character she embodies. DeRoy-Olson’s performance too, does not go unnoticed. She takes on Roki’s young spirit effortlessly, and expertly utilizes her delivery and tone every time Roki’s shows a hint of joy, disappointment, or worry.

We can’t wait to see more of Isabel DeRoy-Olson as her acting progresses, and wait with anticipation to see Lily Gladstone’s future projects.

Fancy Dance will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Friday, June 28.