Indigenous Documentaries in our Collection
Are you curious to learn more about Indigenous issues in Canada and the United States? Do you enjoy documentaries? Check out these recommendations from our collection!
All the documentaries listed below had at least one Indigenous person as a producer. Their nation is listed in brackets next to their name.
Most of these documentaries are available using our online video streaming services. Some are only available on DVD. Some videos are also available on the National Film Board website.
Note: the descriptions below are summarized from our catalogue.
Missing from Fire Trail Road produced by Sabrina Van Tassel, Deborah Parker (Coast Salish), Danny Fisher, Max Einhorn, Cristina Guggino, and Katie Carroll.
"A riveting documentary detailing the case of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, a Native American woman who disappeared in 2020. Her story exposes how Indigenous women continue to go missing in the USA, perpetuating trans-generational trauma on reservations."
Available on DVD and Hoopla.
Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance produced by Wolf Koenig, Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) and Colin Neale.
“A feature-documentary on the confrontation of the Mohawk people of the First Nations and the Quebec police and the Canadian army in the summer of 1990.”
Available on DVD and the NFB website.
Growing Native Great Lakes: Turtle Island produced by Charles “Boots” Kennedye (Kiowa) and Pam Belgarde (Chippewa).
“The Great Lakes and connecting waterways have remained the center of traditional and contemporary economies for centuries.” For the Ojibwe and the Oneida of Wisconsin, natural resources are their main economy. This documentary will introduce you to those who dedicate their lives to taking care of the land.
Available on Kanopy.
The People of the Kattawapiskak River produced by Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) and Ravina Din.
This documentary shows the living conditions of the Kattawapiskak Cree Nation in October 2011. This documentary also “examines the history and causes of a housing crisis that struck this community hard.”
Available on DVD, Hoopla, and the NFB website.
Gather produced by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole, Muskogee), Michael Roberts (Tlingit), Adae Briones (Cochiti/Kiowa), Jackie Francke (Navajo), Raymond Foxworth (Navajo), Jennifer Buffett, Wendy Schmidt, Christine Schantz, Jason Momoa and Brian Mendoza.
This documentary “follows … a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities” through food and science.
Available on Hoopla and Kanopy.
The Nature of Healing: Voices of Mohawk Institute Survivors produced and directed by Faith Howe (Mohawk).
"The Nature of Healing is the spoken truth of seven courageous Survivors of Mohawk Institute, Canada's first and longest running Indian residential school. From victim to survivor, to activist, this is a story of resistance, resilience and a healing path."
Available on DVD.
Wochiigii lo: End of the Peace produced by Heather Hatch (Haida) and Ava Karvonen.
"In this documentary, Haida filmmaker Heather Hatch documents the protests and legal challenges to The Site C Dam project on northern British Columbia's Peace River. Along the way, we meet heroic fighters like Roland Willson, Diane Abel, George Desjarlais - part of a coalition of resistance fighting to preserve their treaty and cease construction."
Available on DVD.
Angry Inuk produced by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk) and Bonnie Thompson.
This documentary looks at the importance of the seal hunt for Inuit livelihood. It also looks at how “international campaigns against the seal hunt” have harmed their lives.
Available on DVD, Hoopla, and the NFB website.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World produced by Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Ray Halbritter (Oneida), Diana Holtzberg, Tim Johnson, Jake Kent, Linda Ludwick, Claire Mackinnon, Jan Rofekamp, Lisa M. Roth, Stevie Salas (Apache), Oliver Schwehm, and Ernest Webb (Cree).
This documentary shows the deep “and overlooked influence of Indigenous peoples” in North American popular music. This documentary features famous musicians Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne), Robbie Robertson (The Band), and many more.
Available on DVD, Hoopla, and Kanopy.
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Updates
October 17, 2024: Added additional ways to watch select documentaries.
October 18, 2024: Removed one documentary as it is no longer available in our collections.
May 1, 2025: Added three new documentaries, available locations, and "the United States."
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