What ’ s next for Thurston is to contribute to the community of Norman . She hopes to expose her students to native films , filmmakers , and producers . Thurston was exposed to native films in her first film class as an undergraduate . Seeing herself and her culture represented in an honest , funny manner on a big screen solidified her trajectory in the field of Indigenous documentary production . She hopes to bring this awareness to others as a professor at the University of Oklahoma .
“ I never thought I would be at OU ,” admitted Thurston . “ I ’ m really happy to get to know the University and the community as an adult . This is not the same town as it was when I was a kid , and that ’ s really cool .”
One of the biggest differences Thurston notices is the active indigenous population of Norman . She is excited to collaborate with colleagues who study indigenous culture across campus . These collaborations not only inform and educate students , but also encourage students to share their stories through film , podcasts , writing , and other media . The more active students become with their studies , the more likely it is that the community will become aware of their work and of the importance of indigenous storytelling .
When Thurston was a kid , she felt that “ there was never this sense that you can do whatever you want ” as a filmmaker in Oklahoma . Now , with Harjo as an example , and with cross-disciplinary collaborators , “ You can work on a huge show in Oklahoma . This is possible . This is what I hope students see .”
Recording and sharing the histories of indigenous people is important not just in academics , but for communities as well . All the knowledge Thurston has gained from across the states informs her current work . Aside from teaching , she has a few projects that are in production . One is an indigenous documentary podcast called Lighthorse that will soon be released on Audible . Her first feature documentary , Drowned Land , will be available to view sometime in 2023 . Drowned land “ explores water rights and the history of resource exploitation in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma ”
Thurston also works for Native Lens , a project born out of Rocky Mountain PBS . Native Lens provides a platform for Native and Indigenous storytellers to share their experiences . These experiences can be stories , poems , or films created by indigenous people . Thurston ’ s short documentary , Sardis , can be viewed online through the Native Lens website ( https :// www . rmpbs . org / blogs / native-lens / native-lens-sardis /). Sardis shares the story of how the Choctaw Nation ’ s land and people were exploited with the formation of Sardis Lake in southeastern Oklahoma .
Even though Thurston was born and raised in Tulsa and knew she wanted to leave Oklahoma at a young age , she is thrilled to be in Norman . The access to indigenous colleagues , the ability to influence students , and living closer to family are the main reasons she chose to make her home here . In addition to her grandfather and great uncle ’ s legacy , she has family members who have attended and work for the University of Oklahoma . She tells people that she is Sooner born and bred .
It is unlikely that Thurston will be found in the Gaylord stadium during football season , but she hopes to have a seat in the stands to cheer on the University of Oklahoma softball team .
“ Growing up in Oklahoma , I played softball but nobody cared about softball ,” Thurston said . “ And now the Hall of Fame has been built and it ’ s a big deal . I have a sense of pride about that .” Her sense of pride stems from the fact that now , just as when she was young , several indigenous girls and women play competitive softball in Oklahoma .
Thurston ’ s other hobbies are closely related to her work . She enjoys watching movies , and currently is judging films submitted to the International Wildlife Film Festival . In addition , she helps with the Fayetteville , Arkansas film festival . Her passion is finding and supporting emerging indigenous voices and helping them find a platform from which to share their stories . She also enjoys gardening and loves to be outdoors as much as possible . She plans on attending the Norman Music Festival , as well as any future art , music , and cultural events Norman has to offer .
NormanMagazine . com | MAY / JUNE 2022 19