About
The Berry Pickers, Sunshine Eaton (Pueblo of Tesuque, Jicarilla Apache, Dine’ & Sicangu Lakota) and Avery Hale (San Carlos Apache, San Felipe Pueblo, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) are a two-person team specializing in film and content creation. Through their filmmaking, they passionately highlight Indigenous knowledge and wisdom through heartfelt storytelling, infused with vulnerability and humor. The Berry Pickers are dedicated to creating content that uplifts Indigenous communities and fosters more positive representation.
They co-directed, co-wrote & co-produced short films: Grandma’s Barn, Inward, Grand Entry, Your Turn. They also co-directed short documentaries: Inner Rhythms, Keres Children's Learning Center Documentary, Pinge Haa Ewehdi: A Pueblo of Tesuque Documentary, Agua Fria Village Documentary.
Sunshine Eaton (Pueblo of Tesuque, Jicarilla Apache, Sicangu Lakota, Dine’
A co-owner of The Berry Pickers LLC, a production company, alongside Avery Hale, dedicated to creating content that uplifts Indigenous communities and fosters more positive representation. She is a multidisciplinary artist whose work interwines through diverse threads of film, photography, sewing, beading, and dance, with a focus on highlighting indigenous people's knowledge and wisdom through heartfelt storytelling, infused with vulnerability and humor. A graduate of Bowdoin College with a BA in Education, Anthropology, and minor in Cinema Studies, they bring a holistic perspective to their art. With 18 years of experience in storytelling, Sunshine has reflected on generational community and family practices which have challenged & inspired her to become the creative visionary she is today. In addition to her independent pursuits, Sunshine has actively working on a variety of projects including ensembles, short films, documentaries, social media videos, music videos, movies and TV shows including, Dark Winds, RezBall.
Avery Hale (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, San Carlos Apache, San Felipe Pueblo)
Avery Hale is the son of Jay Hale and Kyonia Hale and the grandson of Diane Hale, Bill Hale, Laverne Lucero, and Ray Lucero. He is of San Carlos Apache, San Felipe Pueblo, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. Avery was raised on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. He attended the University of Kansas, where he competed in cross country and track for three years before transferring to the Institute of American Indian Arts to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Cinematics Art and Technology. In addition to his academic pursuits, Avery has actively build a career in the theater and film industry, portraying the character Miles in the film Rez Ball and Albert in Season 4 of Dark Winds. He is also the co-owner of The Berry Pickers LLC, a production and photography company dedicated to uplifting and showcasing Indigenous peoples with a focus on highlighting indigenous people's knowledge and wisdom through heartfelt storytelling, infused with vulnerability and humor. Alongside Sunshine Eaton, Avery creates content on YouTube and Instagram that highlights their lives as powwow dancers, creatives, and active members of their communities.