Sharing the Heart of Courage in an Interview with Ward Bond

I had the privilege of sitting down with Ward Bond for his show Bond On Cinema, and it was an amazing conversation about Courage and the journey that led to it. Ward is an incredible interviewer. He does not just ask surface level questions, he goes straight to the heart of what a story is really about and what it means to the people who create it.

We talked about Courage, the journey behind it, and the importance of cultural storytelling. What struck me most was how much Ward cared about understanding not just the film itself, but also the meaning behind it and why it matters today. That level of care and insight makes all the difference.

Courage was created to spark conversations about identity, resilience, mentorship, and tradition. My time with Ward reminded me why these conversations are so important, and why storytelling has the power to connect us all.

What moved me most was not only the care he brought to the conversation but also the way he spoke about Courage. Ward said,

"I love short films that tackle tradition and identity, and Courage is so inspiring to watch. You hit the bullseye with this film. From the actors to the storyline to the cinematography, everything was fantastic. This is a powerful short film that will inspire, encourage, and motivate anyone who watches it. You don’t have to be Native American to connect with it—we all need to see the light that shines in all of us."

Hearing those words from someone who has interviewed so many filmmakers around the world meant a lot to me. Courage was created to spark conversations about identity, resilience, mentorship, and tradition. To have Ward reflect on those themes with such sincerity reminded me why this film matters and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for connection.

I left the interview feeling grateful. Grateful for Ward’s generosity as a host, for the opportunity to share my story, and for platforms like Bond On Cinema that help uplift Native voices and bring these stories to wider audiences.

I hope you will take a moment to watch the interview. It is more than an introduction to Courage, it is a reminder of why storytelling matters and how meaningful dialogue can inspire us to see the world differently.