Jana Schmieding is a Mniconjou and Sicangu Lakota actor, writer and comedian known for her work on Rutherford Falls. Formerly a public school teacher in New York City, Jana moved to Los Angeles to further pursue a career in television. Jana was born and raised in rural Oregon, studied theater arts at the University of Oregon and got her Masters in Teaching from Mercy College in New York. She cut her teeth in the improv and sketch comedy scene in New York City where she wrote, performed and directed regularly.