BIOGRAPHY

My birth name is Delinda Pushetonequa, my Artist name is Oogie_Push, you can call me Oogie. She/Her/We

I am Bear Clan from the Meskwaki Nation near Tama, Iowa. I currently am working and residing on Dakota Territory also known as, St. Paul/Midway.

I am an Actor, Playwright, Storyteller, Dancer, Theatre-Maker, and Twine Bag Weaver.

I first stumbled upon InProgress a few years ago (2016?); when Missy Whiteman taught Stop-Animation workshop. I was also fortunate to attend a Hmong Elder Storytelling event a few years ago. This time around, Blossom Johnson, another 2022 Nexus participant told me about the program, and I signed up immediately. I’m so thrilled to be a part of this year’s cohort.

I have dabbled in creating short-film content that I put up on Youtube, Instagram, and Tiktok. I usually use my Samsung cell phone, a tripod, and a ring light to record myself. I would then use the video editor that came pre-installed on my laptop to edit everything together. Through Nexus, at InProgress, I would like to learn how to use the DSLR camera and get a better understanding of lighting, sound, and any other technical assistance available. I’m also excited to work with mentors who will help me with story narrative and podcasting. I normally just wing it, so it will be nice to understand telling stories with structure in combination with my vision of storytelling. I have so many ideas of things I want to do, and this is an incredible opportunity to learn more and grow creatively. I’m also excited for the opportunity to create something with equipment of a higher quality than my old nearly obsolete cellphone.

 I grew up dancing at Pow-wows (since I could walk) in Iowa and around the Midwest; eventually traveling across the country and into Canada. As a teen I was a Champion Fancy Shawl Dancer and Pow-wow Princess a couple of times. In undergrad Thunderbird Theatre at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS found me, thus my journey as an Actor began. I also have my MFA in Theatre: Design and Technology, which basically means I studied Lighting Design and Set Design for the stage. 

As an Actor, I have worked primarily on stage with various theatre companies throughout the Twin Cities since Fall of 2015 and had the opportunity to tour in Alaska with Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre doing Indigenized/Alaskanized Shakespeare.

I’ve acted in a radio play, a few different Webseries, and a short film called No Spectators Allowed with Cherry Street Films in Portland. I made my own short videos for fun.

I’m currently a Production Assistant at TPT Twin Cities PBS working with Producer Leya Hale on one of her latest documentaries, Bring Her Home, which is set to premiere in March. 

I’m slowly working on a couple of books, tentatively called “What I Wish Every New Actor Knew” and “Trees I’ve Seen” which is a compilation of adventure stories, poetry, and lessons from trees. 

I’m looking forward to revising my one woman show, “The Adventures of A Traveling Meskwaki” which I plan to tour later this year. I want to make a movie out of the tour and performance to make it more accessible for those who may not get to see it live. As my show’s theme is primarily around the importance of Water, and our connection to it, I hope more people will be able to see it.

As of this writing, I am cast for three different play readings for this Winter/Spring/Early Summer. 
I’m also teaching a beading workshop with Kulture Klub at Youthlink in Minneapolis thru the rest of February.
I’m working on saying “No” when I know I need to rest, finding peace and joy in each day, and processing and releasing trauma while raising up my vibration because, well, we live on Earth. 

In the future, I envision Myself touring and covertly getting people to pray for the Water. I’m brainwashing myself and others to be better human beings: more loving, kind, and empathetic. 

I’m doing this with the various mediums of creation that are available to me and working with like-minded folks. I see myself living in community with other creatives. We’ll have a way to live sustainably, cooperatively, communally, and everyone will respect and care for the Earth. There will be Renewable Energy, healthy rivers and oceans, community grown food, and lots and lots of creativity and creation for audiences to enjoy and for creatives to grow. Yes, I dream of Utopia and Peace on Earth. I believe it starts with shifting the narrative in the media and in the arts to help show people there really is a kinder way to live and treat each other.

Qualifications

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Video Editor
• Voice Editor
• Microsoft: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher

LEARNING GOALS

• mentor logs

CONTACT

 Email: hodooogie@gmail.com

SOcial MedIa

• Instagram @oogie_push

• Youtube Oogie_Push/ Auntie Oogie Presents: / Theatre Talk (w/Oogie)

• TikTok @oogiepush