Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month: Movies

Sherenté Mishitashin "Being Thunder" Harris, is a member of the Narragansett tribe in Rhode Island, and seeks greater inclusivity as a Two Spirit Genderqueer teenager competing in dance competitions at annual pow wows.   DVD | Kanopy

A retelling of the Oklahoma Bell Waterline Project lead by then Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Pearl Mankiller, and Cherokee organizer, Charlie Soup during the 1980s.   Kanopy

Four stories about the growing indigenous movement to reclaim and recover ancient food ways to bring back health and vitality to their people.  Kanopy

Hopi filmmaker Victor Masayesva and an all-indigenous crew visited native communities resulting in the first biting critique of the intrusion of filmmaking. Less than a decade later, Reel Injun looked at Hollywood’s depiction of indigenous peoples.   Kanopy

Ojibwe writer Richard Wagamese worked with producers to ensure his book highlighting life in residential school and its aftermath, was adapted faithfully to screen, including the hiring of indigenous actors for speaking roles. Wagamese died before he saw the award winning film completed.   DVD

Award winning documentary directed by Valerie Red-Horse features an in-depth look at Wilma Pearl Mankiller’s life, who became the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.   DVD | Kanopy

A dystopian sci-fi parable about the experience of the Indigenous peoples of North America from Canadian Cree-Métis filmmaker Danis Goulet.  Kanopy

Learn about the ongoing Indigenous-led work to protect the remaining lands untouched by oil and gas, as well as the health and well being of communities surrounded by these extractive industries.   DVD | Kanopy

This revelatory documentary brings to light the profound and overlooked influence of Indigenous people on popular music in North America.   DVD | Kanopy
 

PBS documentary recounts the largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. The film chronicles the accounts of Native American warriors from their own points of view.   DVD | Kanopy