Monday, October 14th 2024, 6:09 pm
The Quapaw Nation said it is in communication with Paramount+ after being disappointed at how its leaders are portrayed in a recent episode of Tulsa King.
They said the episode depicts tribal leaders being involved in a criminal conspiracy involving marijuana and wind energy.
The Quapaw Nation said it is optimistic a resolution will be found quickly and hopes this serves as a lesson for other networks and production companies, to communicate with tribal nations before representing them in movies and shows.
"There was a lot of people watching it and a lot of people having to stop their DVR and rewinding it, 'Did I hear it right?' And then almost immediately the fallout began right after that,” Quapaw Nation Communications Director Barry Linduff said in an interview.
In a statement released a few days after episode 4 of season 2 was available to viewers, the Quapaw Nation called it “cultural appropriation.”
Linduff said that statement sparked a conversation with writer Taylor Sheridan, and Paramount+.
"I will say the progress has been very productive on these things,” Linduff said. “Just the fact that we're having to have the conversations to begin with, is a little disheartening."
The Quapaw Nation said it was never consulted or given the opportunity to approve or reject the use of the sovereign nation's name.
"We're cautiously optimistic that a resolution will be on the horizon that will bring some respect back to Quapaw Nation."
News On 6 reached out to Paramount Plus late Monday afternoon for a comment and has not heard back yet.
A link to the scene can be found here.
The Quapaw Nation's full statement:
Image Provided By: Quapaw Nation
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