Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai shares strong, powerful message at his red carpet debut at the 2024 Emmy Awards

Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai also received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series this year for his portrayal of Bear Smallhill in Reservation Dogs.

Reservation Dogs star Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai made a powerful statement during his red carpet debut at the 2024 Emmys on September 15.

The 22-year-old actor appeared with a red handprint painted across his mouth, a poignant symbol of support for the many Indigenous women who have been murdered or are missing, drawing attention to this critical issue.

According to the Native Hope website, the red handprint serves as a symbol of solidarity for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It represents the unheard voices of missing sisters, the silence from media and law enforcement amid this crisis, and the long-standing oppression of Native women. The gesture also signifies the growing movement of Native women rising up with the message #NoMoreStolenSisters.

The FX comedy, which centers around four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma on a quest to reach the distant and elusive state of California, earned four Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Comedy.

Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai also received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series this year for his portrayal of Bear Smallhill in Reservation Dogs.

Also Read: Emmy Awards 2024: Complete Winners List

Earlier in an interview with Variety, Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai reflected on how his experience working on Reservation Dogs had heightened his awareness of the significance of genuine representation. He emphasized that the series made him realize how vital it is for Indigenous people to tell their own stories, rather than allowing others to speak on their behalf.

Woon-A-Tai pointed out that for too long, external voices have led to the misrepresentation of Native communities. Looking ahead, he expressed a strong commitment to ensuring Native stories are told authentically from a Native viewpoint, underscoring the importance of sharing their own voices and experiences.