Fancy Dance

The story unfolds in a contemporary setting, with present-day policing, FBI involvement, and active community networks. It engages with current issues around missing Indigenous women and child welfare. The powwow in Oklahoma City anchors the narrative in a living Native community tradition.

Set on the Seneca–Cayuga reservation, the story unfolds around oil camps, a scrapyard, and a tight-knit community. The film follows Jax and Roki across towns like Tulsa, Shawnee, and Oklahoma City as they chase a sense of family and safety. The Oklahoma setting centers on the annual Missing & Murdered Memorial dance, a backdrop for memory and resilience.

🤝 Family & Belonging

Jax safeguards her niece Roki while navigating a painful family history and Jax's own past. The bond between Jax and Roki drives the action, with trust and care tested by danger and systemic constraints. The promise to reunite with Tawi at the powwow frames a hopeful thread through hardship.

🧭 Justice & Jurisdiction

The federal jurisdiction over the reservation shapes how police and agencies respond to Tawi's disappearance. Indian Child Welfare and the FBI complicate custody and investigative decisions, highlighting jurisdictional and cultural tensions. The characters' efforts expose gaps between institutions and Indigenous families.

🌿 Trauma & Resilience

The narrative confronts cycles of disappearance, distrust, and danger that affect Indigenous communities. Each setback tests personal resilience and tribal solidarity, while moments of tenderness show the possibility of recovery. The Missing & Murdered Memorial dance embodies healing and remembrance.