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Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a celebration of survival, self-expression, and sovereignty. Indigenous filmmakers have long been reclaiming the screen, telling stories rooted in cultural truth, humor, resistance, and love. Whether you’re a cinephile, activist, or casual viewer, these films highlight the depth and diversity of Indigenous storytelling. From coming-of-age tales to political documentaries, each work honors the past while shaping the future of Native cinema.
Smoke Signals (1998)
Directed by Chris Eyre (Cheyenne/Arapaho), Smoke Signals is the OG of Native cinema. Adapted from Sherman Alexie’s The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, it follows two Coeur d’Alene men on a road trip that turns into a journey of forgiveness and identity. Full of wit, warmth, and heart, this was the first feature written, directed, and co-produced by Native Americans and it still resonates today. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in Native American film.
Prey (2022)
Amber Midthunder (Assiniboine) delivers an unforgettable performance in this Predator prequel set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. Prey flips the colonial lens, centering an Indigenous woman’s strength, intelligence, and survival instincts giving us the kind of action hero Hollywood rarely shows. She’s a whole vibe, and we are here for it!
Warrior Women (2018)
Directed by Christina D. King (Seminole/Creek) and Elizabeth A. Castle, Warrior Women tells the story of Lakota matriarch and activist Madonna Thunder Hawk. The film explores her decades-long fight for Indigenous sovereignty, from the American Indian Movement of the 1970s to present-day activism. This is an inspiring and necessary watch about women who lead the movement for Native rights. Black Cosmo salutes these sheroes.
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019)
Co-directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot/Sámi) and Kathleen Hepburn, this stunning single-take drama explores two Indigenous women’s lives intersecting through an act of compassion. It’s raw, intimate filmmaking that honors Indigenous womanhood and shared resilience. Heavy stuff, but powerfully done.
Blood Quantum (2019)
Jeff Barnaby’s (Mi’gmaq) zombie thriller takes a bloody, brilliant twist only Indigenous people are immune to a global zombie virus. Beneath the gore is a sharp allegory about survival, sovereignty, and the ongoing effects of colonization. It’s horror with a message. We see you, Jeff Barnaby!
Fancy Dance (2023)
Erica Tremblay (Seneca-Cayuga) directs this tender yet urgent drama starring Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nimíipuu). A woman searches for her missing sister while caring for her niece and navigating the MMIW crisis. Fancy Dance is both an intimate family story and a larger call for justice. It’s a movie that stays with you.
Frybread Face and Me (2023)
Written and directed by Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo), Frybread Face and Me is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that centers a young Navajo boy spending the summer with his grandmother and cousin on the reservation. Through humor and cultural connection, he learns about his heritage, his family, and himself. It’s a beautiful blend of nostalgia and self-discovery that speaks to anyone finding their place in the world.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, let your screen become a space for reflection, celebration, and learning. Black Cosmo suggests adding these gems to your watchlist now!
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