LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A red carpet moment at the Emmy Awards this past weekend caught the attention of many as actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai made a powerful statement. Woon-A-Tai, known for his role in FX’s comedy series Reservation Dogs, appeared with a striking red handprint painted over his mouth, contrasting with his elegant all-black tuxedo.
The handprint symbolizes the Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women movement, drawing awareness to the high rates of Native women in the U.S. and Canada who are victims of violence. Woon-A-Tai, a 22-year-old Canadian of Oji-Cree First Nations descent, explained that he decided to make this bold statement after receiving an Emmy nomination for his role in Reservation Dogs.
Woon-A-Tai expressed his frustration over the long-standing issue being ignored and the devastating impact it has had on Indigenous communities. Makeup artist Martha Phelan, who collaborated with Woon-A-Tai on the handprint, shared that her own family has been affected by the crisis, with her sister falling victim to violence.
During the Emmy ceremony, Woon-A-Tai kept the face paint on, garnering attention during close-up shots and at the Disney afterparty. While many attendees at the event may not have fully grasped the significance of his statement, Woon-A-Tai hopes that it will spark important conversations and encourage more awareness within the entertainment industry.
Despite encountering confusion from some individuals backstage, Woon-A-Tai remains optimistic that his statement will lead to increased curiosity and dialogue around the issue. He emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced and marginalized. Woon-A-Tai’s bold choice to use his platform to shed light on a critical issue reflects a growing trend of actors and artists leveraging their influence to advocate for social justice causes.