| Jana Schmieding | |
| Nationality: | Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe[1] |
| Occupation: | Comedian, actor, podcaster, writer |
| Years Active: | 2017–present |
| Notable Works: | Rutherford Falls, Reservation Dogs |
Jana Schmieding is a Native American (Cheyenne River Lakota)[1] comedian, actor, podcaster, and writer. She is best known for her roles hosting the podcast Woman of Size, and as a writer and actor on the sitcom Rutherford Falls, and an actor on Reservation Dogs.
Schmieding is a Lakota[1] woman who grew up in Canby, Oregon, where she says she was raised "pretty traditionally in the Lakota ways."[2]
Jana grew up in Canby, Oregon. Jana grew up in a primarily white town and battled discrimination her entire childhood. She states that she often educated her teachers about Native Culture more than they taught her about Native Culture. She credits her mother for her strong will and willingness to stand up for herself and her people.
As a child Jana loved comedy. She shared that when she was a child she would invite her friends over and they would make silly, comedic videos on camcorders. She also enjoyed sketching comedic drawings from a young age.[3]
Jana is a Lakota woman. Her people are from Cheyenne River in the plains.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is made up of 4 of the traditional 7 bands of the Lakota Nation. The 4 bands included are the Plants by the Water or Mnicoujou, Sans Arc or Itazipco, Black Foot or Sihasapa, and Two Kettles or Oohenumpa. All 4 bands speak Lakota. The reservation is the fourth largest Indian Reservation in the United States at 1.4 million acres.[4]
Jana graduated from the University of Oregon in 2005 with a degree in theater arts. During her time in college, Jana participated and was a leader in many student organizations. She was the co-director of the Multicultural Center and was a member of the Native American Student Union. During this time she has stated that many of her duties involved collaborating with many different ethnic, cultural, and student unions. She also planned events and became an activist. Jana credits her time at the University of Oregon for discovering her love for activism in collaboration with people of color on a public scale.
Jana also participated in theater events throughout her time at the university. She performed in the musical Chicago. She also performed in the play Wild Nights, where she played the role of lesbian Emily Dickinson.
After college, Schmieding moved to New York City to pursue her acting dreams. To earn a living, she spent ten years teaching middle and high school, while performing improv in the evenings with Magnet Theater.[5]
In 2016, Schmieding moved to Los Angeles, where she worked at an education-related nonprofit and shifted gears from acting to writing. Between 2017 and 2019, Schmieding hosted "Woman of Size," a podcast in which she and guests discussed experiences of discrimination related to body size.[6] [7]
See main article: Rutherford Falls. After three years of working on her writing, Schmieding was hired as one of 12 writers on Rutherford Falls, a Peacock original sitcom. The show focuses on relationships between characters in a Northeastern town and the Indian reservation it borders.[8] [9] She was hired by the show's co-creator, Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo Nation), who had previously been a guest on Schmieding's podcast. On August 10, 2020, it was announced that Schmeiding would co-star in the show opposite Ed Helms in addition to serving as a writer.[9] She has praised the show for featuring a modern Native woman rather than those confined to the Old West.[10]
Rutherford Falls launched with its entire first season available on demand on April 22, 2021. Early reviews praised Schmieding's performance on screen. Writing for The A.V. Club, Saloni Gajjar called Schmieding a "breakout performer," saying that "comedy vet [Ed] Helms...meets his match in co-star and relative newcomer Schmieding, who balances his rigor with a down-to-earth and equally captivating performance."[11] Jen Chaney of Vulture also named Schmieding the show's "breakout star," calling her "a natural."[12] In July 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, with Schmieding continuing as both a writer and co-star.[13] The season premiered on June 16, 2022.[14]
Jana's role in the series models how she continues to stand true to her roots and educates the world about Native Culture. The themes conveyed throughout the show such as: American history, race, equality, and social justice. Jana and the show's creator Sierra Teller Ornelas have worked together to bring these issues to the forefront in Hollywood and continue to showcase Indigenous actors, culture, and advocacy through the media.
Rutherford Falls was the first professional writing job Jana had. Jana's experiences writing with other Native people shaped the way she perceives writing and created bonds between her and other Natives with shared experiences and backgrounds.
Aunty Chuck is a passion project of Jana's that is based loosely on the American comedy, Uncle Buck. One of Jana's passions is to bring Native actors and culture into the comedy scene as well as bring comedy to Native audiences. This was one of the first movie productions that Jana had written. She crafted it and had it sponsored and reviewed by Sundance Native Labs. The cold read at the Lab was received very well.
The movie has an Indigenous woman as the star. The premise of the movie is the auntie that does not suit the auntie role, but learns through the help of her 'niblings.' [15]
Schmieding appears as Bev, the clinic receptionist and one of the "aunties", in the series Reservation Dogs.[16] [17]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | I Love War | Video short | ||
| 2016 | Broad City | Camp Counselor | Episode: "Game Over" | |
| 2016 | Abortion Party | Michelle | Short film | |
| 2017 | Blast | Diva | Television miniseries | |
| 2018 | New Growth | Short film | ||
| 2019 | Rom-Commentary | Jana | Video short | |
| 2021–22 | Rutherford Falls | Reagan Wells | Main role, also writer | |
| 2021–23 | Reservation Dogs | Bev, Clinic Receptionist | 9 episodes | |
| 2023 | Spirit Rangers | Vulture, Detzy, Mom Goose, and Ruby | Voice 3 episodes[18] | |
| 2023 | Clone High | Sacagawea | Voice[19] | |
| 2024 | Echo | Nita | Episode: "Lowak" |