Eye Of The Tiger

Within the Native American community and beyond, the Tiger family is revered. Their art has been seen (and worn) the world over, emblazoned on T-shirts that hit a fever pitch of popularity in the 1980s. But like so many Indigenous stories, theirs is one imbued with both triumph and tragedy. Cherokee/Kiowa filmmaker Loren Waters manages to capture all of that raw emotion in her documentary short film, Tiger, which debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and has earned awards aplenty ever since.

Dana Tiger, the subject of the film, was just 5 when her father — legendary Muscogee/Seminole painter Jerome Tiger — passed away. Her mom and uncle ensured the artistry lived on in Dana and her siblings, Lisa and Chris. Their family was again hit with hardship when Chris was violently killed in his 20s, when Lisa was diagnosed with HIV (which later progressed into AIDS), and when both Dana and Lisa were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. And yet, theirs is a story of beauty— of resilience and of resurgence.

Today, the Tiger T-shirt business is officially back in action, thanks in no small part to the Tiger short. Here, the film’s maker and its star discuss what it meant to bring this story to life. 

The Tiger family in the 1980s, during the height of the gallery’s success and while Chris Tiger was still alive. Featured above are several members of the Tiger family — including Dana Tiger, Johnny Tiger Jr., Peggy Tiger, Lisa Tiger, Chris Tiger, and others — each playing an essential role in the gallery’s thriving legacy.

Cowboys & Indians: Can you talk through the inspiration behind Tiger?

Loren Waters: The inspiration behind Tiger started very serendipitously. I hired Dana as a background extra during the second season of Reservation Dogs, and when we met, we became fast friends. The more that I learned about her story, the more interested I was in capturing it on film. We didn’t have a set plan to do so until my partner, [cinematographer] Robert Hunter, had a camera in between jobs, so we decided to hit up Dana. When we showed up at the art gallery, it was the first time they were screen printing T-shirts since 1990, so it felt very meant to be. The inspiration really comes from Dana’s art and her family’s art. It felt very natural that we were making a film about art in the process of making art. Dana was involved throughout the entire process, and I think that’s what makes this film so special — it really does come down to those community relationships.

Dana Tiger: It was really magical the way it all went down. I had truly been wishing it into being years before. I know this story backward and forward, because I lived it and I loved it. I was nervous at first, but I just opened myself up because I wanted this story to be told, and I had prayed for Loren
to come along. I’ve got Parkinson’s, so I have to work really hard to do certain things, like even get out of bed some days. But now, our T-shirts are back, which is a huge undertaking for me; then here comes Loren, who just helped me skyrocket it to the moon. It feels like it was meant to be and like I willed it into existence.

C&I: Why do you think this story resonates with so many people, both Native and non-Native?

Tiger: It makes me feel so good to see that our story touches people no matter who they are. Everybody has had loss in their lives — death, violence, [issues with] alcohol. Different families deal with all these things, and you know, it seems like the Tiger family has had every single thing in the world. But we tell those stories, and we get stronger. I just love to talk about my family, because I wouldn’t be anywhere without what all went on before me, what all is going on while I’m here, and what all is going to go on after me.

Waters: This film doesn’t necessarily focus on the identity of being Native, but more on the human experience and what a lot of us go through — grief
and loss but also success, happiness, joy, and hope. This film takes you on a roller coaster of emotions through Dana’s incredible storytelling. Honestly, we had no idea it was going to have such a big positive response. What makes this film so special is that Dana was brave enough to share her story; it’s the way she keeps her family close to her. I also think a lot of people can relate because they have loved ones who have Parkinson’s. It’s not a film centered around that, but people appreciate it so much, because oftentimes people can be defined by what they face in their lives, like disease. Dana and Lisa Tiger have kicked life’s ass and made sure that they don’t let that define them — they never have and never will.

Behind the scenes with the short film's intimate crew. Tiger went on to win the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing at Sundance 2025, among other accolades.

C&I: Reflecting on the past year, what has Tiger taught you?

Tiger: It has taught me that miracles do happen; they happen all the time. I’ve learned that if you pray and ask for help, you will be guided. I’ve also learned that life is joyous. I’m just so thankful that all my people are all around me and we’re having such a great time. I sound just like I do in the film, because really that’s what the film is all about. [Laughs.]

Waters: Dana, Robert, and I made this completely from intuition. We didn’t have anyone telling us what to do. We were just making art, and we wanted to make something that made us feel something. Because of that, I’ve learned to trust that intuition that we have within us and that inner spirit that guides us. Throughout this whole process, Dana’s family was guiding us to make the best film we possibly could. I also learned so much from Dana — how she works through her grief and how she finds meaning in the little things in life. Every single thing and every place in the film has meaning; it might not be spoken, but it’s there. I think that’s really what life is all about — not the accolades or the recognition, but in finding the meaning and understanding that we are being led by the people who came before us and are honoring their legacy.

Find Dana Tiger’s art at tigerartgallery.com, and watch the film on criterionchannel.com and fnx.org.