Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: James Young Deer, first Native American actor, director, writer, and producer

James Young Deer, born April 1, 1876 in Washington, DC as part of the Nanticoke tribe of Delaware, is the first Native American filmmaker/producer in Hollywood.  He joined the US Navy in 1898 and fought during the Spanish-American War, but was subject to racism.  

He began acting in 1909 in New York in short films such as The Falling Arrow and Young Deer's Bravery. In 1910 he was hired to direct for a French-based studio in Jersey city, whose movies were criticized that their movies were not realistic portrayals of the Old West.  Young Deer went to LA to make "Indian-themed" films.  It has been noted that his films portrayed the Native Americans in a favorable light, opposed to the "cliches of hostile Indian warriors or wagon train attacks".

Over his career, he acted in, wrote, or directed about 150 silent movies at Pathe's West Coast Studio. 

After about a year in England, he returned to the US, but westerns were less popular at that time.  He passed away in New York City in April 1946, and is buried as a veteran of the Spanish-American War.  

In 2008, the Library of Congress added White Fawn's Devotion, a film Young Deer wrote and directed, to the National Film Registry.

Celebrating Black History Month: Oscar Micheaux, first African-American feature filmmaker

Oscar Micheaux, born January 2, 1884 in Metropolis, Illinois, was an African-American independent film director and producer of more than 44 movies.  He has been described as the most successful African-American filmmaker of the first half of the 20th century.  

He became a homesteader in South Dakota and began writing as a second source of income, and submitted his articles to the press.  The Chicago Defender published one of his earliest articles.  

His 1918 novel, The Homesteader got the attention of George Johnson, the manager of the Lincoln Motion Picture Company, the first movie company owned and controlled by black filmmakers.  Conflicts between Micheaux and Johnson resulted in the Lincoln company not producing the film.

Micheaux founded the Micheaux Film & Book Company in Chicago and its first project was the Homesteader.  Micheaux's movies featured genuine black life, dealing with race relationships, and challenges for blacks trying to achieve success.  He opposed racial injustice received by African-Americans.  He did not shy away from topics such as lynching, rape mob violence, and white supremacy.  He would counter the depiction of African-Americans in white movies.

Micheaux passed away in March 1951 in North Carolina and is buried in Great Bend, Kansas.

His film Body and Soul was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.  He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987.