This Native American Heritage Month, we’re sharing films that shine a light on the profound legacy and impact of Indigenous leaders and communities from the pre-colonial era to the present day. 

Off the Rez (2012)

Jonathan Hock’s award-winning documentary, Off the Rez, follows the ambitious journey of a rising high school basketball star, Shoni Shimmel, to achieve national recognition and success. Growing up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon, Shimmel and her family must navigate the risk of losing their reservation life and heritage in pursuit of the American Dream.

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Extraordinary Native American Women (2023)

This illuminating documentary celebrates the inspiring works of Native American women as foundational leaders within their communities and the broader American fabric. From pioneering heroines of the past to modern-day artists and activists, Native American women have held critical roles in preserving and protecting Indigenous culture, rights, and lands for centuries.  

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Generations Stolen (2023)

This revealing documentary chronicles the U.S government’s history of detrimental assimilation policies toward Native American communities and the resulting trauma endured by generations of Indigenous children and their families. From victims of boarding schools to forced adoptions, the survivors recount their tragic stories as they continue to search for healing and restorative justice. 

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Native American Culture, Heritage, and Traditions (2023)

This insightful program explores the past through present-day impacts of European colonialism on Native American communities. Interviews with native descendants and scholars provide critical detail into the centuries-long history of discrimination against Indigenous peoples who once thrived on American soil.

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My Louisiana Love (2012)

Marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the 2012 documentary My Louisiana Love serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility- and resilience- of human life and nature in the face of environmental disaster. This intimate portrait follows a young Native American woman, Monique Verdin, as she strives to reunite with her Houma Indian family, who are struggling to continue their traditional way of life in the aftermath of devastation by Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. While helping to restore the Mississippi Delta wetlands, Monique must also navigate the tragic loss of her father, partner, and the destruction of her family home.

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