Special Guests

Our special guests for SkasdiCon ‘23 were Jhane Myers, Kaniehtiio Horn, Jana Schmieding, Jennifer Loren and Arigon Starr. Learn more about them below and stay tuned for more info on special guests at SkasdiCon ‘24!

2023 Special Guest

Jhane Myers

Jhane Myers is a member of the Comanche and Blackfeet Nations, who is recognized for her passion and dedication to preserving the legacies of Native communities through the film medium. Myers has worked on many productions including: “Prey,” “1883,” “Magnificent Seven,” “Wind River,” “The Lone Ranger” and “Apocalypto.”

A 2023 Producers Guild of America nominee and two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Myers has also produced many PBS documentaries and several films accepted into the Sundance Film Festival, where she was a 2017 Producing Fellow in the Indigenous Program.

In 2007, Myers made history as the executive director of the American Indian National Center for Television and Film in Los Angeles. The Center was formed by the Institute of American Indian Arts, in partnership with Disney/ABC, CBS, NBC Universal and Fox, to increase the representation and visibility of American Indian talent in all aspects of the entertainment industry.

2023 Special Guest

Kaniehtiio Horn

Kaniehtiio Horn is a Mohawk actress, producer and podcaster from Kahnawake, the reserve outside of Montreal. She recently starred opposite Anna Kendrick and Wunmi Mosaku in the Lionsgate feature “Alice Darling,” which premiered to rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Prior to that, she starred as the baddie on Season 2 of “Rutherford Falls” and appeared in the scene stealing role of Deer Lady on “Reservation Dogs.” She is a fan favorite in the critically acclaimed Hulu comedy series “Letterkenny,” for which she was awarded a Canadian Screen Award.

Other memorable turns included significant roles on the Amazon series “Man in the High Castle,” the Netflix/Gaumont series “Hemlock Grove” and as Dorothy Gale in a memorable episode of “Supernatural.” She will soon voice a role in the upcoming Fox animated series “Grimsburg,” starring opposite Jon Hamm.

2023 Special Guest

Jana Schmieding

Jana Schmieding is known for her breakout role as “Reagan,” opposite Ed Helms on Peacock’s groundbreaking comedy series, Rutherford Falls. The Lakota Native comedian, writer, and fat-positive content creator was also a writer on both seasons.

Currently, Jana frequents FX’s Reservation Dogs and voices Zelda Fox on Fox’s animated sitcom, The Great North. She has been featured in various publications including Vulture, NPR, Paste, Bustle, Bon Appétit and Vanity Fair. Jana performed improv, sketch and solo comedy in New York City for ten years before moving to Los Angeles. She directed over 30 sketch and solo shows and collaborated in several different indie writers’ rooms.

Jana is a vocal advocate of Indigenous visibility and social justice, and she discusses these issues regularly in her comedy and writing.

2023 Special Guest

Jennifer Loren

Jennifer Loren is an award-winning filmmaker and senior director of Cherokee Film. Recently launched, Cherokee Film seeks to reclaim Cherokee and Native narratives by increasing representation across film and media while creating an ecosystem that supports production and drives economic activity in the Cherokee Nation. With a background in broadcast television, Jennifer co-created, produces and hosts the Emmy-award winning docuseries “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People,” which is now in production on Season 9.

In 2019, Jennifer helped the Cherokee Nation create the first certified Native American film commission, which is now known as the Cherokee Film Commission. In 2020, Jennifer oversaw the buildout of a state-of-the-art 27-thousand square foot virtual production soundstage. With the stage’s XR technology, the Cherokee Nation became the first tribe to create content in the metaverse.

This year, Jennifer was selected to participate in the Obama Leaders USA Program, a program that seeks to inspire, empower and connect leaders who are working to accelerate positive change in their communities.

2023 Special Guest

Arigon Starr

Arigon Starr is an award-winning musician, actor and playwright, plus a renowned comic book creator and book illustrator. Her plays have been commissioned by theatre production companies such as Native Voices at the Autry in Los Angeles, Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis and Oklahoma Indigenous Theater Company in Oklahoma City.

Arigon’s comic “Super Indian” was created as an audio theater production and became two graphic novels to be followed by “Super Indian Volume Three.” A former Tulsa Artist Fellow, she teamed with fellow alumna, Cherokee author Traci Sorell as the illustrator for the book “Contenders,” published by Penguin/Random House/Kokila Books.

This fall, Arigon will be featured in the second season of the PBS series, “Native America.” She is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, in addition to SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity. She is based in Los Angeles.

2023 Artists & Creators

SkasdiCon creators utilize a wide variety of media, styles and forms, including Indigenous Pop, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and even game design!

Steven Morales

Wesa Weaving

Cultured Collectibles

Alison Scott

Mr. Werewulf

Shelley Patrick Art

DB3D

John Timothy

Misselaineous

James Hostler/The Bobcat

Pigeon Vision

Ron Mitchell

Anita Ashley Mitchell

Mary (ᎺᎵ) Lupton Art

Joseph Hopkins

Lisa Rutherford

Youngbear Art

Jeff & Emilee Edwards

Makiya Deerinwater

Nighthawk Down

Brian Landreth

Roy Boney

Tom Farris

ATCG Books & Comics/Natives Realities

Bluebird Beading

Aaron’s Books & Comics

Absurdist Productions

Bead Baby Bead

Arigon Starr

Chokfi Moon

ToneZone Toys

Julie & Jacob Daugherty

Vivian Howerton

Blacksheep Industries

Andrea Tidwell

Kindra Swafford

Semurai Designs

Cherokee Film

Cherokee Film Demo Booth

Molly Murphy-Adams

Spider Gallery

Andrea Rogers

Mekko Diacon

Sticksstonesnbonez

Aaron’s Books & Comics

Absurdist Productions

Alison Scott

Andrea Tidwell

Anita Ashley Mitchell

Arigon Starr

ATCG Books & Comics
/Natives Realities

Bead Baby Bead

Blacksheep Industries

Bluebird Beading

Brian Landreth

Cherokee Film

Cherokee Film Demo Booth

Chokfi Moon

Cultured Collectibles

DB3D

James Hostler/The Bobcat

Jeff & Emilee Edwards

John Timothy

Joseph Hopkins

Julie & Jacob Daugherty

Kindra Swafford

Lisa Rutherford

Makiya Deerinwater

Mary (ᎺᎵ) Lupton Art

Misselaineous

Molly Murphy-Adams

Mr. Werewulf

Nighthawk Down

Pigeon Vision

Ron Mitchell

Roy Boney

Semurai Designs

Shelley Patrick Art

Spider Gallery

Steven Morales

Tom Farris

ToneZone Toys

Vivian Howerton

Wesa Weaving

Youngbear Art

2023 Cosplay Competition
2023 Cosplay Competition
2023 Cosplay Competition
2023 Cosplay Competition
2023 Cosplay Judges & Winners
2023 Cosplay Competition
2023 Cosplay Winner: Audience Favorite: Ravyn Whitebird as Medusa: Queen of the Gorgons
2023 Cosplay Winner: Audience Favorite: Ravyn Whitebird as Medusa: Queen of the Gorgons
2023 Cosplay Winner: Most Humorous: Benjamin Willie as Skilibuster (Ghostbuster)
2023 Cosplay Winner: Most Humorous: Benjamin Willie as Skilibuster (Ghostbuster)
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Interpretation Through an Indigenous Lens: Meekah Roy as “Shanks” from One Piece
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Interpretation Through an Indigenous Lens: Meekah Roy as “Shanks” from One Piece
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Construction: Tyler Armstrong as Deathwatch Mandalorian
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Construction: Tyler Armstrong as Deathwatch Mandalorian
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Indigenous Character: Samson Doss as Eagle Man
2023 Cosplay Winner: Best Indigenous Character: Samson Doss as Eagle Man

COSPLAY COMPETITION RULES

  • You must be Native American to enter the Cosplay Competition.
    • Citizenship cards will need to be provided to enter the competition.
  • Family Friendly (No Pocahotties).
  • No illusion of nudity.
  • No recording of copywritten materials unless noted otherwise.
  • No cultural appropriation costumes.

 

Costume Props Policy
No functional props or weapons are allowed at SkasdiCon. Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by the registration desk and compliance with the following:

All costume props and weapons must be inspected at the registration desk.

Registration desk will be located in the front hall of the Chota Center.

  • All costume props and weapons must conform to state and federal law.
  • Projectile costume props and weapons must be rendered inoperable.
  • Functional (real) arrows must have their tips removed and be bundled and zip-tied to a quiver.
  • Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn.
  • Costumes featuring stilts must be approved at the reception desk.
  • All props will be checked at registration desk located in the 1st floor lobby.
 

At certain times, due to crowds and safety issues, people in oversized costumes may be asked to leave the Chota Center.

After your costume props have been checked, they will be tagged by registration, and you will be given a wristband to wear to designate that your props have been checked.

Event Staff will escort you to the registration desk for inspection if your costume prop is not tagged.

All costume props and weapons must be inspected at the registration desk located on the 1st floor lobby.

If you do not want to have your costume props inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume weapons to SkasdiCon.

*******As a common courtesy to our cosplayers, please ask consent before touching or taking a picture. It’s good manners.

 

SKASDICON POLICIES

On behalf of Cultural Tourism, we are very excited to be able to gather in person once again. For all that to happen, SkasdiCon has a few policies we must all follow that are necessary for the safety and comfort of everyone. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to make SkasdiCon a place that everyone can enjoy.

Airspace (Balloons, Drones, etc.)
No devices may be flown or tethered within the confines of the Chota Center or at any SkasdiCon function on the Cherokee Casino property. This includes drones, helium balloons and helium-filled products, or any lighter-than-air objects either powered or unpowered.

Code of Conduct
Attendees must respect and observe commonsense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for one another and private property. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. SkasdiCon reserves the right to revoke any individual’s access to the event. Persons finding themselves in a situation where they feel their safety is at risk or who become aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy should immediately locate the nearest member of security or staff member so that the matter can be handled in an expeditious manner.

Media Release
Entry into this event constitutes consent for Cherokee Nation Cultural and Economic Development, LLC. to use any film, photographs, video or reproduction of the images and/or voice bearer for any purpose whatsoever.

The SkasdiCon Information Desk is located in the front hall of the Chota Center.
During show hours you can always find a SkasdiCon staff member or security guard at the Information Desks. Please stop by there if you have any questions or concerns.

No Pets Allowed
If you have pets, including iguanas, parrots, boa constrictors, or other nonhuman critters, please leave them at home. The Chota Center does not allow animals into the building except for service animals.

Costume Props Policy
No functional props or weapons are allowed at SkasdiCon. Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by security and compliance with the following:

All costume props and weapons must be inspected at the Cosplay Registration Desk located in the front hall of the Chota Center.

  • All costume props and weapons must conform to state and federal law.
  • Projectile costume props and weapons must be rendered inoperable.
  • Functional (real) arrows must have their tips removed and be bundled and zip-tied to a quiver.
  • Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn.
  • Costumes featuring stilts must be approved at the Registration desk.
  • All Props will be checked at Cosplay Registration Desk located in the second-floor lobby.

At certain times, due to crowds and safety issues, people in oversized costumes may be asked to leave the Chota Center.

After your costume props have been checked, they will be tagged by security, and you will be given a wristband to wear to designate that your props have been checked.

Security will escort you to the Registration Desk for inspection if your costume prop is not tagged.

If you do not want to have your costume props/weapons inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume props/weapons to SkasdiCon.

No Handouts
No distribution of any materials—including flyers, stickers, cards, or any promotional item—is allowed in any area inside or outside the Chota Center, except from within a booth at SkasdiCon or when preapproved for placement on the Freebie Tables.

No Bicycles, Scooters, Segways, or Hoverboards at SkasdiCon
Scooters, bicycles, and Segways are not allowed in the Chota Center or inside the building. By order of the fire marshal, hoverboards are not allowed at SkasdiCon, including all inside or outside areas of the Chota Center, and additional venues featuring SkasdiCon events.

No Handcarts, Trolleys, Rolling Luggage, or Oversized Strollers in the Ball Room
Please be aware that, for safety reasons, no handcarts, trolleys, rolling luggage, or oversized strollers are allowed in the Chota Center. Attendees found on the exhibit floor with these items will be asked to leave these items outside of the Chota Center.