8 Spectacular Native Films Streaming Right Now

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Beans (2020)
Tracey Deer (Mohawk) directs this gripping coming-of-age story about the 1990 Oka Crisis in Quebec, Canada. The Oka Crisis was a 78-day standoff between two Mohawk communities and Canadian authorities over land rights. A proposed expansion of a golf course and townhome development on a disputed stretch of land sparked the protest. The land held a Mohawk burial ground. Based on Deer’s own experiences during the crisis, “Beans” follows young teen Beans as she navigates the intricacies of growing up, all while experiencing the cost of activism amidst the crisis. Learning to use her voice, Beans tenuously explores her identity, and her indigeneity, all while living steeped in community conflict.

Fancy Dance (2023)
Starring Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nimíipuu) and Isabel Deroy-Olson (Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation/Anishinaabe), “Fancy Dance” is a heart wrenching yet beautiful tangle of a road-trip film. It touches on the wounds felt by those left behind by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis. Jax (Gladstone) navigates searching for her sister and being present for niece Roki (Deroy-Olson). While trying to grasp normalcy among the tragedy, Jax and Roki journey to the annual pow wow. With the journey as the backdrop, the pair explore the strength of their relationship, as well as the resilience of Native women.

Slash/ Back (2022)
Nyla Innuksuk (Inuit) makes her feature debut directing “Slash/Back,” a completely unique example of Inuit sci-fi horror. It is co-written by Ryan Cavan. Set in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, the film follows four teenage Inuit girls who become the first line of defense between alien invaders. Throughout the film, you witness the push and pull between modern and traditional influences, as they protect their home.

SG̲aawaay Ḵ’uuna/ Edge of the Knife (2018)
Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown co-directed this Canadian drama, making it the first feature film spoken only in the Haida language. Set in 19th century Haida Gwaii, the film explores a traditional Haida story. A young man, Adiits’ii, flees after accidentally causing the death of a good friend’s son during an annual fishing retreat. Tormented by the death, Adiits’ii spirals into madness and insanity, becoming Gaagiixiid, or the Wildman. Haig- Brown spoke about how to respectfully bring this to life, “Because, remember, transforming into Gaagiixiit—this is a very real thing that happens.” At the end, the moment of reveal was visceral for many of the cast. “I know it was a very emotional journey for everyone because no one got to see Tyler. We isolated him. When he gets captured and brought into the village—there were real tears shed at that time. It’s the underlying story: how we can lose people, either through madness or emotional strife or drug addiction; how people can run from things, and how it is part of our responsibility as a community to never leave somebody behind, to bring them back. We all relate to that feeling.”

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019)
Written and directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Sami/Kainai First Nation, Blood Tribe, Blackfoot Confederacy) and Kathleen Hepburn, this film is loosely based on Tailfeather’s own real life encounter with another Indigenous woman. Tailfeathers also stars alongside new-comer Violet Nelson (Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation). After a chance encounter on a bus, Aila (Tailfeathers) yearns to help younger, pregnant Rosie (Nelson). Rosie is fleeing an abusive relationship. Filmed almost entirely in one long take, Tailfeathers sought to recreate the feeling of her real-life encounter.

Frybread Face and Me (2023)
Written and directed by Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna), this queer coming-of-age drama follows young Benny (Keir Tallman, Dine). Benny travels from San Diego to live with his grandmother on t

Wild Indian (2021)
Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. (Ojibwe) wrote and directed this disturbing thriller starring Michael Greyeyes (Cree) and Chaske Spencer (Lakota). Following main character Michael (Greyeyes) and his cousin Teddo (Chaske), “Wild Indian” is a chilling look at generational trauma, repression, and violence. Before becoming Michael, he was Makwe. Raised by an abusive father and bullied, Makwe kills a classmate, before asking Teddo for help burying him. Opening with the text “Some time ago…There was an Ojibwe man, Who got a little sick and wandered West.” The film bookends Michael’s story with vignettes depicting a historic Ojibwe man doing just this, creating a parallel with Michael’s sickness and the illnesses brought with European contact.

Lakota Nation vs. The United States (2022)
The only documentary this week, “Lakota Nation vs. the United States” explores the fallout of the 1876 seizure of the Black Hills. This searing documentary outlines the Lakota’s ongoing conflict and resistance against the relentless waves of colonialism as they struggle to reclaim land woven into their identities. Directed by Jesse Short Bull (Oglala Lakota Nation) and Laura Tomaselli, “Lakota Nation vs. The United States” shares the vision, mission, and work behind the #LandBack movement.

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