The artist who plays Lozen

Lynnette Haozous: Meet the Artist Behind the Warrior WomanWhen an image of the Apache warrior Lozen appeared on our site in March, reader reaction was intense; the depiction of the strong woman warrior, who fought alongside Geronimo, struck a chord with male and female readers alike. This Lozen, one Facebook reader commented, “makes Clint Eastwood look like Barney Fife!”

The image was not an archival photo but a still from a film, Apache Chronicle, and the young woman is an actress, Lynnette Haozous, San Carlos Apache/Navajo/Taos Pueblo. In addition to being an actress, Haozous is also an artist, part of the creative community that revolves around Douglas Miles’ Apache Skateboards. (Apache Chronicle was co-directed by Miles and spotlighted the Apache artists Melissa Cody, Tasha Hastings, Rebekah Miles, and Razelle Benally as well.)And:What are you up to, in terms of acting and art?

I am an actress and artist, and recently I have been focusing more on my artwork. I was in an art show in Taos, New Mexico, called Promo Hobo Art Installation. I recently received a SWAIA-Santa Fe Indian Market/Nativo Lodge Artist-In-Residency Fellowship, which is an opportunity to create and show my artwork. So I will be doing live art the week of June 18th-22nd at Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque as part of the Rising Artists Project. As far as acting I am currently in preproduction works in collaboration with Apache Skateboards/Douglas Miles and Razelle Benally, it is a follow up film in relation to Apache Chronicle.

What challenges do you face as a Native actress?

It’s challenging finding roles to portray, as an actress my mission is to break down the previously portrayed typical native stereotypes in film, for example “Indian princess” or “nostalgic native.” I want to play roles of strong, inspiring, challenging, uniquely original characters, I don’t just want to be in the background, and play extras my whole career. I’m not in it for the glamor or fame, it is truly my passion. In that sense, I want to play roles that are not just “Native roles,” but ones that are deep and challenging for me as an actress.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Apacheria: The Art of Douglas Miles and Women Skateboarders in Apache Chronicle.