Paulina Alexis

Alexis Nakota Sioux · actors

Paulina Alexis (born September 10, 2000) is a First Nations actress from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada. Her traditional Stoney Nakoda name is Wǎgíyaŋ Čížaŋ, meaning "Young Eagle." She became a breakout star playing Willie Jack in the critically acclaimed FX series "Reservation Dogs" (2021–2023), created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Her fierce, funny, and deeply human portrayal of Willie Jack made her a fan favorite and earned widespread praise. Alexis had no prior professional acting experience before being cast — she auditioned on a whim and beat out hundreds of candidates. She has become a role model for Indigenous youth and continues to build her acting career with new projects.