Dive Into the World of Indigenous Media With these Films and Books!
By: Fifi
With National Indigenous History Month coming to an end, we wanted to leave you with tools that can be used as a stepping stool to continue learning about and celebrating Indigenous communities and supporting the film and books that come from Indigenous creators!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out some of our recommended readings on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation page, take a look at some of this great fiction and non-fiction media.
The Grizzlies (2018)
The Grizzlies is a Canadian film based on a true story. It follows a group on Inuit students in the Arctic town of Kugluktuk who struggle with generational trauma and mental instability until they find healing and passion in the sport of lacrosse.
2. Blood Quantum (2019)
The dead are coming back to life outside the isolated Mi'kmaq reserve of Red Crow, except for its Indigenous inhabitants who are strangely immune to the zombie plague.
3. Atanarjuat: The fast runner (2001)
Evil in the form of an unknown shaman divides a small nomadic Inuit community, upsetting its balance and spirit. Two brothers emerge from the evil order: Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, The Fast Runner. Atanarjuat wins the hand of the lovely Atuat away from the boastful son of the camp leader, Oki, who vows to get even. Oki ambushes the brothers in their sleep and Atanarjuat miraculously escapes by running across the sea ice but can he ever escape the cycle of vengeance left behind?
Moon of The Crusted Snow (by Waubgeshig Rice)
With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the food supply dwindles. While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow.
Namwayut: We Are All One (by Chief Robert Joseph)
Chief Robert Joseph, globally recognized peacebuilder and Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk People, traces his journey from his childhood surviving residential school to his present-day role as a leader who inspires individual hope, collective change, and global transformation.
All The Quiet Places (by Brian Thomas Issac)
It's 1956, and six-year-old Eddie Toma lives with his mother, Grace, and his little brother, Lewis, near the Salmon River on the far edge of the Okanagan Indian Reserve in the British Columbia Southern Interior. Grace, her friend Isabel, Isabel's husband Ray, and his nephew Gregory cross the border to work as summer farm labourers in Washington state. There Eddie is free to spend long days with Gregory exploring the farm: climbing a hill to watch the sunset and listening to the wind in the grass. The boys learn from Ray's funny and dark stories. But when tragedy strikes, Eddie returns home grief-stricken, confused, and lonely.
Hopefully this list of Indigenous movies and books serves as a starting point to help you explore and support more Indigenous media! Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are 🤗
Looking for more media?
Take a look at some of our lists of movies, music and books. All curated to help you learn, relax and explore different topics!✨
Celebrate the Asian Heritage Month by learning through the cinema that was created, directed or emoted by Asian artists. No outside gaze, just pure frames, human emotions, and stories that transcends through the screen.