Elva Guerra

Elva Guerra is a Native American actor of Mexican and Ponca descent whose entry into the entertainment industry began with a recurring role on the FX series "Reservation Dogs." Guerra started acting at age 16, after responding to a casting call for the show, a collaboration between Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo. With only basic experience from a school film class, Guerra auditioned for "Reservation Dogs" and secured the role of Jackie, the leader of the NDN Mafia, a group of high school students at odds with the Rez Dogs. The series, recognized for its all-Indigenous writers, directors, and cast, explores the lives of Native American teenagers living on a reservation in Oklahoma and has received Peabody and Independent Spirit Awards.

Guerra's portrayal of Jackie addresses themes of reservation life, poverty, and youthful rebellion, contributing to the show's critical acclaim. In addition to "Reservation Dogs," Guerra has appeared in "Rutherford Falls" and played a leading role in the short film "You and Me This Summer." Guerra also portrayed Sally Growing Thunder in "Dark Winds" and voiced Anna Horn in the audiobook "Sisters of the Lost Nation," written by Nick Medina. These roles demonstrate Guerra's versatility across drama, comedy, and voice acting within the television and film industry.

As a two-spirit Indigenous person, Guerra advocates for representation of two-spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals in media. Guerra has spoken publicly about navigating the challenges of being nonbinary and a member of the LGBTQ+ community while pursuing an acting career. Their advocacy extends to engaging with the Ponca community and participating in tribal events, emphasizing a commitment to Indigenous youth and cultural preservation. Guerra's work continues to advance visibility for two-spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ voices in American television and film.