Alice Apekum
Actor
About Alice Apekum
Alice Apekum was a Native American actress who appeared in the silent film 'The Daughter of Dawn' in 1920. She was one of several Native American performers cast in this groundbreaking film that featured an entirely Indigenous cast. The film was produced by the Texas Film Company and shot on location in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. Apekum, like many of her fellow cast members, was likely a member of the Comanche or Kiowa tribes who were recruited from local reservations. Her participation in this film represented one of the earliest opportunities for Native Americans to portray their own people on screen, rather than having white actors in redface. Unfortunately, like many performers from this era, her career appears to have been limited to this single production, as no other film credits have been documented. The film itself was considered lost for decades before being rediscovered and restored in the 21st century, bringing renewed attention to its pioneering cast.
The Craft
Milestones
- Starred in 'The Daughter of Dawn' (1920), one of the first films with an all-Native American cast
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Alice Apekum's participation in 'The Daughter of Dawn' contributed to an important milestone in cinema history - one of the first major films to feature an all-Native American cast telling their own stories. This represented a significant departure from the Hollywood norm of white actors portraying Native Americans in stereotypical roles. The film itself was groundbreaking for its authentic representation of Plains Indian culture and traditions, with performers like Apekum bringing genuine cultural understanding to their roles. Though her individual contribution may seem small, she was part of a collective effort that challenged early Hollywood's racial casting practices and paved the way for more authentic representation in later years.
Lasting Legacy
Alice Apekum's legacy is tied to the rediscovery and restoration of 'The Daughter of Dawn' in the 2010s, which brought new attention to this pioneering film and its cast. As one of the early Native American performers in cinema, she represents the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous actors to film history. The film's addition to the National Film Registry in 2013 has helped ensure that performers like Apekum are remembered as part of cinema's diverse foundation. While her name may not be widely known, she stands as an important figure in the broader narrative of Native Americans in film.
Who They Inspired
Due to the limited documentation of her career and the obscurity of her work, Alice Apekum's direct influence on later performers is difficult to trace. However, she was part of a generation of Native American actors who helped establish the possibility of authentic Indigenous representation in cinema, influencing later generations of Native American performers who would fight for more accurate and respectful portrayals in film and television.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Alice Apekum's personal life. As with many Native American performers from the silent era, personal details were rarely recorded in film industry records of the time.
Did You Know?
- 'The Daughter of Dawn' was considered a lost film for over 80 years before a copy was discovered in a private collection in 2012
- The film featured an all-Native American cast of approximately 300 Comanche and Kiowa people
- Many cast members, including possibly Alice Apekum, were recruited from local Oklahoma reservations
- The film was shot entirely on location in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma
- No professional actors were used - all performers were actual tribal members
- The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2013 for its cultural significance
- The film's budget was approximately $30,000, a modest sum even for 1920
- Director Norbert Myles was a white filmmaker who worked closely with tribal advisors to ensure authenticity
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alice Apekum?
Alice Apekum was a Native American actress who appeared in the 1920 silent film 'The Daughter of Dawn.' She was part of an all-Native American cast that represented one of the first authentic portrayals of Indigenous people in American cinema.
What films is Alice Apekum best known for?
Alice Apekum is known solely for her appearance in 'The Daughter of Dawn' (1920), a groundbreaking silent film featuring an entirely Native American cast. No other film credits have been documented for her.
When was Alice Apekum born and when did she die?
Specific birth and death dates for Alice Apekum are not documented in historical records, which was common for many Native American performers from the silent film era. Her only known film work was in 1920.
What awards did Alice Apekum win?
Alice Apekum did not receive any individual awards or nominations during her lifetime. However, the film she appeared in, 'The Daughter of Dawn,' was later added to the National Film Registry in 2013 for its cultural significance.
What was Alice Apekum's acting style?
Specific details about Alice Apekum's acting style are not documented. However, as part of an authentic Native American cast in 'The Daughter of Dawn,' she likely brought genuine cultural understanding and natural performance to her role, contrasting with the exaggerated acting styles common in silent films of the era.
Why is Alice Apekum significant in film history?
Alice Apekum is significant as one of the early Native American performers who helped break barriers in Hollywood casting. Her participation in 'The Daughter of Dawn' represented a rare instance of authentic Indigenous representation during a time when white actors typically portrayed Native American characters.
Films
1 film
