New Marvel series 'Echo' shines light on Indigenous, deaf representation

She may be appearing in millions of homes worldwide in her role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries, but Manitoba actor Katarina Ziervogel said there were a lot of barriers to cross before she could see herself represented onscreen. Ziervogel, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, plays the role of Taloa in the Disney+ series Echo centred around the title character portrayed by Alaqua Cox.

As someone who is both deaf and Indigenous, Ziervogel told Global Winnipeg that speaking in sign language with a translator, that until seeing Cox in Hawkeye, the idea of a high-profile actor representing both of her identities was unheard of.

“I would say there was a little bit of deaf representation and a little bit of Indigenous representation, but never within the same character,” Ziervogel reflected. She added that, “Not until Hawkeye, when that came out… (Cox) was the first deaf Indigenous person who represented both of those. She spearheaded that."

Ziervogel said she hopes more opportunities in filmmaking are opening up for people in deaf and Indigenous communities. "More access, more open-mindedness, just people willing to bring in deaf Indigenous writers, cast, crew more stories to be brought to the mainstream because we are here and we’re ready to tell our stories," she said.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10341928/manitoba-echo-marvel-katarina-ziervogel/

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