The Story Behind Blood & Myth’s True-Crime Saga of Violence and Indigenous Alaskan Lore

On September 4, the intriguing Hulu documentary titled Blood & Myth delves into a remarkable real-life crime mystery: the account of an Indigenous Alaskan actor asserting that he was taken over by tiny spirits when he fatally shot two brothers during a hunting incident in 2012.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this:

In my cinematic journey, I’ve come to learn that Paul and Charles Buckel, two fellow film lovers, miraculously survived an ordeal. Sadly, Teddy Kyle Smith, renowned for his role in the 2011 Sundance film ‘On the Ice’, is currently serving a lengthy 99-year prison sentence.

In the year 2014, a jury found him guilty of attempting first-degree murder, two years after he shot the Buckels in a cabin near Squirrel River, about 40 miles from Kiana, a city nestled in Alaska’s northern reaches. The incident occurred while Smith was on the run, following his mother’s tragic demise. He claimed that he mistook the Buckels for iñukuns, small mystical beings said to inhabit the Alaskan tundra by some Inupiat.

Though authorities were unable to pinpoint the cause of Smith’s mother’s death and found no signs of foul play, his fear was palpable. He feared he would be viewed as a prime suspect due to being in the house when she passed away.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d put it like this:

“In the gripping documentary, ‘Blood & Myth’, I dive deep into an exclusive prison interview with Smith, a first since his arrest. This powerful piece is not just any film, but a cinematic adaptation of ‘Midnight Son’, an audiobook that delves into Smith’s case, co-created by James Dommek Jr., an esteemed Iñupiat writer and musician. The documentary features enlightening interviews with the law enforcement involved in the case, as well as Indigenous Alaskans who share their unique insights into Smith’s life and iñukun lore.

In a captivating conversation with TIME, James Dommek Jr., along with Kahlil Hudson, the Tlingit tribe member from Juneau, Alaska, who directed ‘Blood & Myth’, shared their discoveries from Smith’s interview and the rich history of iñukuns.

The story of iñukuns

In the tales passed down by storytellers like Dommek’s grandfather, iñukuns are believed to be small-statured, nomadic people who reside in remote, rarely explored areas of the Alaskan tundra, as Dommek describes in the documentary.

These individuals are known for their great strength and unique communication, using the Iñupiaq language. Certain members of the Iñupiat community, such as Dommek’s mother, consider them to possess extraordinary abilities and a connection to the spiritual realm, similar to that of shamans.

In the documentary, Hudson proposes a theory: It’s debatable whether these iñukuns possess supernatural abilities or not. One idea put forth is that they could simply be real people – possibly a remote, uncontacted tribe who have chosen to isolate themselves from the Western world.

Smith‘s alleged encounter with iñukuns

Smith is convinced that during his seven-day journey following his mother’s passing, he encountered mythical creatures known as iñukuns. The documentary includes a segment of Smith recounting to attorney Angela Greene that he survived by foraging berries and using ice from frozen ponds while trekking through the wilderness – an area where there have been reports of iñukun sightings.

Smith shared with Greene that he started feeling controlled, as if someone or something was guiding him, and he sensed footsteps behind him throughout his journey. He asserted that on the night in question, he encountered iñukuns wherever he rested. He stated that they would approach him and engage in conversation, and they would make sounds similar to squirrels and birds. Near a stream, he insisted he witnessed iñukuns on the other side, repeating the words “vulnerable,” “weak,” and “death” in a chant.

He accidentally discovered a cabin near the Squirrel River and took shelter there. Later, the Buckel brothers appeared, also seeking refuge, which startled Smith. According to Dommek, Smith believed these hunters might be connected to some mysterious figures called iñukuns, and thought they were still causing him trouble.

Smith fired at the siblings, afterward drifting down the Squirrel River aboard the hunters’ inflatable raft, carrying their provisions and firearms. Remarkably, the injured hunters were able to contact the authorities, who had been seeking out Smith due to his mother’s demise. The Alaska State Troopers apprehended Smith approximately 16 miles from Kiana, and officials in a related documentary claim he was preoccupied with iñukuns.

Paraphrasing helps maintain original meaning while using different words and sentence structures to enhance readability and variety. In this case, I’ve restructured the sentences slightly, made use of active voice, and included more descriptive language to create a clearer narrative flow.

The belief that iñukuns are real

In the documentary, the prevailing theory suggests that iñukuns may indeed be real, as researchers discovered structures resembling houses high up in mountains north of the Kobuk river. These findings were made during an archaeological survey, carried out to minimize any potential ecological disruption caused by a planned mining road aimed at transporting minerals to Anchorage.

The structures were made out of rocks and did not resemble any Iñupiat houses.

Mary Black, an intermediary between the tribe and the archaeologists, held the opinion that what the archaeologists were examining were traditional dwellings of the indigenous people, stating, “We should halt our work here. I told them, ‘This is their territory. We have no right to proceed on it’.

Upon learning about the structures and Inupiat elders recounting personal encounters with iñukuns, Blood & Myth director Hudson was completely convinced that iñukuns existed. He further clarified to TIME, “Whether or not they possess magical abilities is a separate matter.

Right from the start, Dommek held firm to the belief that the members of his tribe shared true accounts, passed down through generations: “Growing up, I’ve heard these stories from trustworthy individuals who genuinely seem kind. They don’t stand to benefit by sharing these stories. Given their character, I am convinced that the [iñukuns] indeed exist.

Apart from this, he also trusts Smith when the actor asserts he encountered iñukuns, and he doubts Smith’s experiences are indicative of mental instability. This is because Smith previously served as an instructor in explosives for the U.S. Marine Corps, where he underwent multiple psychological evaluations to demonstrate his aptitude for the role.

The biggest revelations from Smith’s interview

As a passionate film lover, I want to make it clear that I had no hand in my mother’s unfortunate demise. A heavy burden of regret now rests upon me for the tragic incident involving the Buckel brothers. Regardless, I stand ready to assist them whenever possible, offering whatever help I can in any capacity.

When he beheld the iñukuns, it seemed as if time stood still, and he firmly believes they were addressing him.

Reflecting upon that instance from prison now, he believes the iñukuns were attempting to convey a message to him.

Smith admits that he wasn’t leading a fulfilling life and was making poor choices. Looking back, he believes the iñukuns might have been trying to guide him towards the traditional way of living, as they noticed a decline in respect for nature, elders, and each other among their community. According to him, the iñukuns seem concerned that their culture is eroding-losing its native language, drumming, singing-in favor of Western ways.

He wishes that his narrative serves as a powerful reminder for every Native American, urging them to maintain strong ties with their cultural heritage and history.

Where Smith is now

In the Alaskan prison system, Smith continues to serve his lengthy 99-year term. While incarcerated, he participates in basketball games and functions as both a Christian minister and a storyteller, merging biblical tales with traditional Iñupiat folklore.

Approximately every two weeks, during his permitted 15-minute phone calls, he connects with Dommek. Their conversations often revolve around recent basketball updates and what Dommek has been engrossed in reading or watching.

Whenever Smith calls Dommek, he identifies himself as “your uncle.”

Lessons from Blood & Myth

Despite whether the audience believes iñukuns to be real entities, Hudson and Dommek aimed to create a film that portrayed an authentic depiction of Indigenous communities residing in northern Alaska.

Hudson and Dommek emphasize that it’s a common misconception among non-Indigenous individuals to believe all Alaskan Indigenous people live in igloos and wear fur, however, this is not accurate for many groups, such as the Iñupiat. Their aim with their film is to offer a more insightful perspective on the contemporary lives of the Iñupiat people.

According to Dommek, “We don’t solely inhabit museums, nor are we relics of times gone by. We persist, even in the face of everything. And our connection to our homeland and our tales remains unbroken.

2025-09-04 22:06