Studi and Bedard at Williamsburg

Wes Studi and Irene Bedard Lend Star Power to Colonial Williamsburg’s ‘Return of the Cherokee’

By Vincent SchillingBest known for his movie roles in Dances with Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo and box-office blockbuster Avatar, acclaimed Native actor Wes Studi will be appearing in a live Colonial Williamsburg production entitled “The Beloved Woman” on Saturday, July 21st at 7pm as part of a 5-day “Return of the Cherokee” program in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Native Actress Irene Bedard, who served as the voice and model for Pocahontas and Pocahontas II, will guest star with Studi to lead an all-Native cast for the presentation that portrays the Cherokees’ fight to protect their homelands in the midst of war between American and British forces in Virginia. Studi will be playing Cherokee headman Attakullakulla, who comes to Williamsburg with his niece, Nanyehi, to broker a peace agreement with Patrick Henry, the governor of the fledgling Virginia Commonwealth.

Following “The Beloved Woman,” members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee will share stories and dances during a “Friends and Brethren” program.Comment:  Michael Spears and Zahn McClarnon are among the Native actors who have appeared at Williamsburg this year. Kudos to Williamsburg for employing some of the best Native actors available.

For more on Indians and Colonial Williamsburg, see Blown Away by So Far from Scioto and Williamsburg Indians Jailed, Enslaved.

Below:  "A still of Irene Bedard and Wes Studi from Edge of America, a 2003 TV movie made for Showtime."