American Indian Actor Wes Studi Visits the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club

Native Actor Wes Studi with Dr. Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend, Youth Services Manager for the Lumbee Tribe (third from left) and participants of the Lumbee Tribe’s Pembroke Boys & Girls Club.

Published November 25, 2018

PEMBROKE, N.C. — Wes Studi (Cherokee) made his way to Lumbee Country this past week. In town for a speaking engagement of the University of North Carolina – Pembroke, Studi visited with Lumbee tribal officials and the Boys and Girls Club.

During his visit, he spoke to the staff and children participants about career and his love of acting. He stressed the importance of America Indian tribes working together in the spirit of unity.

Wes Studi with Lumbee Tribe Chairman Harvey Godwin. Jr.

Studi is known for his portrayal of Native Americans in a way that forever changed their stereotype in the movie industry. Breaking new ground, he brought fully developed Native American characters to the screen, and then took it a step further highlighting the success of Native Americans in non-traditional roles. Throughout his 30-year career he’s won numerous awards, including several First Americans in the Arts awards and the 2009 Santa Fe Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.

Studi has acted in unforgettable performances in “Dances with Wolves,” “The Last of the Mohicans,” “Geronimo: An American Legend,” and “Heat,” as well as James Cameron’s “Avatar,” Paul Weitz’s “Being Flynn” and Scott Coopers “Hostiles.” Studi’s other notable film credits include: “The Only Good Indian,” which he also produced, “The New World,” “Street Fighter,” “Seraphim Falls,” “Three Priests,” and such prestigious television movies as “Crazy Horse,” “Comanche Moon,” “Streets of Laredo,” “Broken Chain,” and “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”

Studi spoke to the children participants of the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club.

Earlier this year, Studi, a Vietnam vet, was invited to present at the 90^th Academy Awards, where he introduced a video montage of military movies as a tribute to U.S. veterans. He is a passionate advocate for Native American issues and a leader in promoting and preserving indigenous languages.

Rob Jacobs contributed to this article.