Five Movies to Watch on Indigenous People’s Day
Wanna kick back and watch a movie on Indigenous People’s Day but are not sure what to choose? Check out this list comprised of five of our favorite Indigenous movies.
Powwow Highway
We’re going to start with a classic. One friend is a spiritual seeker, Philbert Bono (Gary Farmer), while the other, Buddy Red Bow (A Martinez), sees things as they are. When Buddy’s sister is jailed in New Mexico the two set off on a journey of unbelievable twists and self-discovery.
Billy Jack
Let’s keep the classics rolling with this little-known gem. A member of the Navajo Nation, Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin), beats down some bigots who are messing with a school owned by his girlfriend, Jean Roberts (Delores Taylor), in this movie loosely based on true events. Don’t worry, there are a few sequels if you like it.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World
Do you love rock music? Did you know exactly how big of an influence Indigenous People were on the genre? Catherine Bainbridge created this documentary to teach us just that. Artists featured include Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jesse Ed Davis, Stevie Salas, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Randy Castillo, Jimi Hendrix, Taboo and others.
Mekko
Most people didn’t know who Sterlin Harjo was until the release of Reservation Dogs but here you’ll see his signature style in this masterpiece. Mekko is an Indigenous man who was released from prison after a nineteen year sentence. With nowhere to go he’s taken into the Indigenous homeless community where he starts to believe he must become a warrior to defend his people from a “witch” who’s preying on them for losing their way.
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner
It’s been titled one of Canada’s most important films ever made and it’s easy to see why. This movie is an adaptation of an Inuit legend filmed in Inuktitut and directed by Inuit filmmakers. It tells a story of trust, betrayal, and how to heal when a crime takes place in an isolated community.
Hopefully one of these films finds its way onto your screen on this day of acknowledgment and remembrance. If not, don’t worry, no one will judge you if you watch Smoke Signals again.