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NEW FILMS! |
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NEW FILM! - UNBOWED - DRAMA - Produced by Filmanthropic, this provocative, award winning feature film dramatizes the historic attempt to force assimilation of American Indians and African Americans at Southern Negro Colleges in the late 1800s. The little-known period provides a dramatic backdrop for a compelling interracial love story. At its heart, "UnBowed" is a story about courage — the courage to love, even when it's forbidden; the courage to endure when the social, economic or cultural environment changes. BEST FILM (producer/director Nanci Rossov) BEST ACTOR (Jay Tavare) American Indian Film Festival AUDIENCE FAVORITE (2nd place) Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles BEST SCREENPLAY (Mildred Inez Lewis) Jamerican Film Festival "UnBowed" was broadcast on Starz. (order) |
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NEW FILM! - IN SEARCH OF HAMAT'SA - DOCUMENTARY A tale of headhunting! - 2004 - 33 min. The Hamat'sa (or "Cannibal Dance") is the most important-and highly represented ceremony of the Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) people of British Columbia. This exciting and dramatic film dives into the history of the dance and presents some of the ways in which diverse attitudes toward this history create current dramatic and colorful performances of the Hamat'sa. The film also explores the relationship between First Nations history and the people that have told it. (order) |
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NEW FILM! - DANCING ON THE MOON! - DRAMA - Finding ourselves! - 2010 - 58 min. The funny, sad and sometimes scary story of Dean, Joey and Mark, three Native American friends, who are more like brothers. They're on the road to a powwow, but each is on his own personal journey. Unable to overcome grief since the death of his mother, Dean won't participate in the traditional dances he once loved. Tired of being the screw-up with a big heart, Joey learns that he must rely on his own strengths. And always the hothead, Mark learns to overcome his prejudices and face his own identity. When tragedy strikes all must come to terms. (order) |
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NEW FILM! - LIFE ON THE RESERVE - DOCUMENTARY -
Highlights the significant challenges and hopes of people living on reserves, as told by the residents themselves. Graham Shonfield, the 19-year old documentary filmmaker, had volunteered for development work in Africa, but nothing prepared him for the impoverished conditions that he experienced first hand in Northern Ontario at Gull Bay First Nation reserve. This film intro-duces you to what living on a reserve is really like. Although Gull Bay is only one reserve in this great country, it has similarities to them all..(order) |
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NEW FILM! - THE MEDICINE PEOPLE - DOCUMENTARY -
(On Indian Ceremony - 38 min.) Dive deep into Indian Spirituality ... This exciting and fast-paced film features exclusive and private commentary by powerful medicine people and never-before-filmed spiritual places and ceremonies. From the preparation of the Sweat lodge to the the actual location of the Sundance Ceremony the program offers rare insights into native sacred belief and thought and how they relate to the spiritual world.(order) |
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HOT TOPICS! |
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FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILTY FOR FIRST NATIONS OTTAWA-The Conservative government appears poised to introduce a bill to force First Nations chiefs and band councillors to publicly disclose their salaries. Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is expected to introduce a bill titled, An Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations. The title of the bill echoes the title of a private member's bill introduced by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Kelly Block before the last federal election. Block's bill would have required the publishing of all federally-funded chief and council expenses and salaries by the beginning of August every year. More |
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THE INDIAN ACT - The Indian Act - A new feature has been added to the consolidated Laws on the Justice Laws Web site: Provisions in original enactments that are not yet in force will be shaded. As those provisions are brought into force, the shading will be removed. This will make it possible to easily identify which provisions of original enactments are or are not yet in force. More on the Indian Act |
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INIDIAN RESERVES - Indian Reserves are the most visible reminder of the separation of aboriginal people from the rest of Canada and other Canadians. Illness patterns and social conditions in Native communities closely parallel those in developing nations. While they continue to have a large burden of infectious diseases, these groups also have an increased incidence of chronic and lifestyle diseases as well as environment-related conditions. Similarities can be seen in urban areas between immigrants from abroad and people from reserves. Barriers impede full access to and benefit from the Canadian health care ... More on Reserves |
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TOTEM POLES
The history of the Canada totem pole goes back for generations. The totems had multiple Northwest Native figures carved on tall, western cedar poles. It was intended to have each figure represent a meaning. Overall, a totem pole told a real life or mythical story. Sometimes the figures also represented a Northwest Native family's crest or coat of arms recording their family history. |
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FIRST NATIONS FILMS |
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IN PRODUCTION
MEDICINE WHEEL 2 - is now in production. Our small crews are traveling to locations across Canada to do interviews and shoot visual materials.
SO FAR FROM HOME - is now in production. Initial research and contacts have begun on this exciting and emotional new film. Stay tuned.
BOUNDARIES - is now in production. Analysing the Indian "business" in Canada ... where is all the money going? Stay tuned! |
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PEOPLE LOVE OUR FILMS!
Wonderful emails and notes from many of you about how you love our films and how you have positive feedback from your groups and classrooms. One man called our films "hidden gems" and wished he could tell everyone about them. Keep those notes coming as we love the feedback! catalogue |
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FIRST NATIONS FILMS!
distributes our exclusive collection of films all over this world, all over this globe. Groups, educators and individuals from the Outbacks of Australia to the far reaches of Canada's north, from Vancouver Island to the coast of Japan have purchased and are using our films in their classrooms, schools and libraries. From the shelves of Harvard University to the desks of Brandon University First Nations Films educates and entertains people from all over the world as we spread "Our Stories" and concerns about First Nations People. See our catalogue |
