Native America Calling: Native in the Spotlight with Elaine Miles

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Native America Calling: Native in the Spotlight with Elaine Miles

Monday, January 5, 2026

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Native in the Spotlight: Elaine Miles

Elaine Miles (Cayuse and Nez Perce) didn’t seek out her breakout role as the humorously deadpan Lingít office manager Marilyn Whirlwind in the hit TV show Northern Exposure.

But after she was cast and became a beloved addition to the show, acting was her vocation from then on. She had a hilarious presence in the classic movie Smoke Signals, and just appeared on the acclaimed HBO series, The Last of Us.

Behind the scenes, Miles is an advocate for Indigenous rights and a steady voice of support for Native veterans. She is the January Native In The Spotlight.