11 films made by or about Native people to stream for Native American Heritage Month

The whole recent ABC news controversy aside, where a reporter referred to Native American people as “Indigenous Creatures,” November is Native American Heritage Month. Here, then, are 11 (I just couldn’t narrow it down to 10) contemporary films made by or about Native people that are some of my favorites. You know, from one creature to another.

“Edge of America” (2003) This feel-good winner is based on a true story, about a black educator (James McDaniel) who takes a job teaching high-school English at the Three Nations Reservation in Nevada, and is coaxed into coaching the girls basketball team. This was the opening night film for the Sundance Film Festival, won director Chris Eyre an Emmy, and features a breakout performance by my friend Delanna Studi. Streaming on the Roku Channel, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Crackle.

“On the Ice” (2011) This riveting, slow-burn icy noir has a rich sense of place, set in Barrow, Alaska, where a couple of teenagers find their bond tested when a seal-hunting trip goes wrong, resulting in the death of their friend. Streaming on Amazon Prime.

“The Only Good Indian” (2009) Filmed in Kansas and partly shot in Wichita, this is directed by now-Academy Award winner and Kansan Kevin Willmott (who co-wrote “BlacKKKlansman” with Spike Lee). Set in the early 1900s, a Native American boy escapes from a boarding school, and a Cherokee bounty hunter (Wes Studi), who has adopted the white man’s way of life, is sent to find him. This premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is available at www.theonlygoodindian.com.

“Powwow Highway” (1988) This comedic road trip movie follows two Northern Cheyenne men who travel from Montana to New Mexico to bail out the sister of one of them who has been framed and arrested in Santa Fe. On the way, they begin to reconnect to their spiritual heritage. Starring acting vets Gary Farmer and A Martinez. Streaming on Amazon Prime.

“Prey” (2022) This ground-breaking thriller is a prequel to the mega “Predator” franchise and follows a skilled female Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder, in a one-of-a-kind role), who protects her tribe from a highly evolved alien predator that hunts humans for sport. The film has the option of watching entirely in the Comanche language. Streaming on Hulu.

“Reel Injun” (2009) This lighthearted documentary has underlying messages about how the evolution of First Nations people were portrayed in Hollywood films. Streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

“Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” (2017) This documentary has filmmaker Catherine Bainbridge examining the role of Native Americans in contemporary music history. She exposes a critical missing chapter, revealing how indigenous musicians helped influence popular culture. In 2017, the film won the “World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling” at Sundance. Streaming on Netflix, Vudu, YouTube and iTunes.

“Rhymes for Young Ghouls” (2013) Writer/director Jeff Barnaby’s imaginative, robust tale is set on the Red Crow Mi’kmaq reservation in Canada in 1976, where by a government decree every Indian child under the age of 16 must attend a residential school. In the kingdom of the Crow, that means imprisonment. Starring Devery Jacobs in a performance that would point to her standout “Reservation Dogs” series days. Streaming on Amazon Prime, Vudu and the Roku Channel.

“Shouting Secrets” (2011) Estranged siblings are forced to deal with one another in the confines of a hospital and at the family home on a reservation after their mother descends into a coma. Starring Chaske Spencer (”Twilight”), Q’orianka Kilcher (”The New World”) and Tyler Christopher (TV’s “General Hospital”). Streaming on Amazon Prime.

“Smoke Signals” (1998) This is the seminal contemporary Native American film that won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, directed and co-produced by Chris Eyre with a screenplay by Sherman Alexie, based on his book “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven.” In 2018, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film follows a young man (Adam Beach) and an old friend (Evan Adams) who take a road trip to put a loved one to rest. Streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

“Trudell” (2005) Filmmaker Heather Rae’s chronicle of legendary Native American poet/activist John Trudell’s travels, spoken word performances and politics is inspiring and still relevant today. Streaming on the Roku Channel, YouTube and Google Play.

Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.