Filmmaker

Filmmaker Chris Eyre is best known for his authentic portrayals of the contemporary life and culture of indigenous people. A member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma, this award-winning filmmaker has incorporated his personal experiences as a native adoptee into several critically acclaimed films such as, Smoke Signals, Skins, Edge of America, and the suspense thriller, Imprint.
 
Born in Portland, Oregon to a 19-year old mother, Chris entered foster care within days of his birth. Soon after, Barbara and Earl, a non-Indian couple, would adopt the baby and go on to raise him in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Chris says:

“As a native person, I recognize the far-reaching relationships we have as a culture. For some, like me, our extended family could not reach far enough. There are so many native-adoptees in Native America.”

It was in high school that Chris first became interested in the visual arts beginning with 35-mm still photography. His avocation expanded to television production, which he pursued at a local community college before transferring to the University of Arizona. It was there that he discovered his true calling: filmmaking. In 1992, Chris entered the prestigious graduate film program at New York University. He became immersed in the city’s independent film scene and his work garnered high-profile attention at numerous film festivals worldwide.

While still at NYU, his film Tenacity was invited to screen at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. This opportunity opened the doors to several fellowships and awards as more people were exposed to his talent and the compelling stories depicted in his films.  His career really took off when Miramax Films bought Smoke Signals, which went on to capture both the coveted Audience Award and Filmmaker’s Trophy at Sundance in 1998. Smoke Signals would become the first feature film directed by a Native American to receive a national theatrical release. He was named a 2007 USA Rockefeller Foundation Fellow and was recently awarded a prestigious grant by United States Artists.

Chris maintains strong ties to his heritage and to all of those he considers family. He often speaks to native youth at conferences as a way of inspiring the next generation of his people. He says:

 
“My adoptive parents encourage me to dream and believe in myself. I have a very large Cheyenne and Arapoho family, too. Fortunately I reconnected with my birth mother, Rose, and my maternal grandmother about 10 years ago. Rose died a few years ago, but I really treasure the time I had with her.”

Currently, Chris is working on a five-part PBS series, We Shall Remain about the history of Native America. He resides in South Dakota and has a nine-year old daughter.