In honour of National Indigenous History Month this June, we’re excited to shine a light on a selection of seven critically acclaimed and award-winning Indigenous-directed and Indigenous-themed films. The collection of films span a multiplicity of perspectives from across Turtle Island within the colonially-drawn borders of so-called “Canada”. From the cultural dissonance experienced by young urban Inuk in THE FIFTH REGION, the viscerally charged neo-noir thriller that makes a powerful social commentary on violence against Indigenous women in A RED GIRL’S REASONING, to the hard-fought battles for environmental protection and Indigenous territorial recognition in films such as Nettie Wild’s BLOCKADE, we challenge our audiences to learn about the histories, struggles, and triumphs of Indigenous communities through documentary filmmaking for National Indigenous History Month.
The following films are available in Digital Site License for institutional booking. To place an order, email booking [AT] cinemapolitica [DOT] org with your selection.
Films by Indigenous Directors
The Fifth Region
Gabriel Nuraki Koperqualuk and Aeyliya Husain / 2018 / 47′ / Canada
Two Inuk youth raised in southern Canada explore the complexities of identity and belonging.
A Red Girl’s Reasoning
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers / 2012 / 10′ / Canada
Tunniit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril / Canada / 2011 / 50′
A young woman is on a journey to revive the ancient Inuit tradition of face tattooing, an art-form forbidden by the Canadian government for a century and almost forgotten.
Films Exploring Indigenous Issues
Another Word for Learning
Jadis Dumas / 2019 / 73′ / Canada
In this inspiring story of Indigenous resilience, decolonization and family bonds, a Kwakwaka’wakw girl living in Vancouver navigates her own path to education.
Upstream: Stewards of the Land
Paola Rosà and Antonio Senter / 2017 / 44′ / Canada
Along almost 1000km of a proposed gas pipelines route, Indigenous people and settlers oppose developments & find new ways to fight for the land and the future.
The Caretakers
David Goldberg / 2017 / 39′ / Canada
An inside look at Indigenous land and water defenders and white allyship, confronting the complicity of the police with the fossil fuel industry.
Blockade
Nettie Wild / 1994 / 90′ / Canada
A brutally honest depiction of tensions in the mid-nineties between the Gitxan Nation and white settlers in the mountains and valleys of British Columbia.
