Jessica Joy Poorbear is a Lakota actress born April 12, 2000, and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Inspired at age 15 by Chloe Zhao’s ‘Songs My Brothers Taught Me’ (featuring friend Jashaun St. John), filmed in her homeland, she pursued acting while honoring her heritage. With family ties to ‘War Pony’—including grandmother Wilma Colhoff (b. May 20, 1950), cousins Teressa Colhoff (Tim’s Girl), Nate Bad Milk (Pallbearer), Katrina Colhoff (Sister), aunties Pte Cante Win Poor Bear (Babe), Echo (Heaven), and lifelong friend Calista Cottier (Kaya). Jessica brings a deep connection to her community and craft. Jessica worked with acting coach Sean Baker and self-taught inspired by native films ‘Dream Keeper’, ‘Smoke signals’, ‘Songs My Brother Taught Me’. Inspired by American Films, ‘Flags Of Our Fathers’, ‘The Secret life of Bees’, and ‘Holes’. Skills: Intermediate in Lakota (bilingual: Lakota/English). Cultural knowledge of Lakota Traditions, Storytelling, Oral Tradition Experience, Emotional Authenticity & connections to Native Narratives.