'Wáats'asdíyei Joe Yates

'Waats'asdiyei Joe Yates; he/him) is an award-winning Haida writer, director, film producer, and owner of Alaskan Films, LIC. from Craig, Alaska. 'Waats'asdiyei is a member of the Yawk'laanaas Tribe who comes from Brown Bear House and belongs to Raven Moiety. Today, 'Waats'asdiyei is an Associate Field Producer and an Associate Story Work Producer for the National Geographic show Life Below Zero: First Alaskans. He also serves as a writer for the PBS KIDS show Molly of Denali, an award-winning animated series. 'Waats'asdiyei has also produced several short films, including Voices of Our Ancestors, which takes a deeper look at language revitalization within Yup'ik and Haida cultures.

Waats'asdiyei's latest documentary film, Indigenous Resistance: Now and Then, which "highlights the resilience and strength of Indigenous resistance in recent history and today, as told through the voices of Alaska Native leaders, storytellers, and changemakers," will soon make its public debut. In Waats'asdiyei's words, "My mission is to portray our people, Alaskan Natives, with representation in front and behind the cameras. We ensure that these stories are accurate and highlight our traditional values." 'Waats'asdiyei recently won the Individual Artist Award from the Rasmuson Foundation. The grant funds his next project, where 'Waats'asdiyei will make a short narrative titled My Message to You that centers around the question [for parents] - "If you pass away today, will your children know enough to continue your culture tomorrow?'