Film Collection: Native Americans and Sports
For Walter and Josiah: DOCUMENTARY. 2022
For Walter and Josiah transports us to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. Their small community is shaken to its core by a teen suicide epidemic that claims 22 Native lives in a single year -- including two high school basketball team members.
Alaska Nets: 2021
In Alaska's last native reserve, two cousins lead their local basketball team to its first state championship in more than 30 years. It's about a basketball team from an island off the coast of Southeast Alaska of called Metlakatla (see Google Maps) aka ``Met``. RUNNING THE REZ
Basketball or Nothing: DOCUMENTARY 2019
This engrossing Netflix docuseries follows the Chinle High School’s venerated boys basketball team’s attempt to capture their first state title. Led by coach Raul Mendoza, the Wildcats strive to develop into a cohesive team that brings pride to their Navajo community.
Run Woman Run
Run Woman Run is the story of Beck (Dakota Ray Hebert) an indigenous woman who has lost her way. She’s a single mom who has no drive and ambition to move forward with her life, and after falling into a diabetic coma she finds herself at a crossroads. She can continue on the way that she is living, or she can aim higher. With the help of the spirit of a dead ancestor and Canadian icon Tom Longboat (Asivak Koostachin), Beck decides the latter and takes up running, but it’s not an easy path and one she’s not sure she can finish.
Lorena, the Light-Footed Woman
Lorena RamÃrez of Mexico's Rarámuri community lives a pastoral life -- except when she straps on her sandals to compete as an ultramarathon runner. Watch all you want. The story of the famed Rarámuri competitor from Chihuahua, Mexico, scored an Ariel Award for Best Short Documentary.
The Grizzlies
Inuit youth in a small community gain a powerful sense of pride through the sport of lacrosse, in this true-story account of tenacity, renewal, and inspiring resilience.
Indian Horse
A Canadian First Nations boy, Saul Indian Horse, survives a residential school in the 1970s. A talented hockey player, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism. This movie is more than the story of an athletically gifted boy surviving the trauma of residential schools. It’s a riveting reflection of Canadian oppression that still impacts generations of First Nations peoples. Based on the best-selling novel by Richard Wagamese with executive producer Clint Eastwood, this film created lots of buzz at TIFF last year and won the people’s choice award at the Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary international film festivals.
Keepers of the Game
As they set their eyes on a championship, an all-Native American girls’ lacrosse team seeks to change their tribe’s attitudes about gender roles. So many conflicts... girls playing lacrosse when it's a traditional men's sport. / an all native girls team / low self esteem, related to being native, with many of the girls / cross-rival team that is not mostly tribal, but has an Indian mascot ??!!
Running the Rez
Racing the Rez follows Navajo and Hopi cross-country runners from two rival high schools as they put it all on the line for Tribal pride, triumph over adversity and state championship glory. Win or lose, what they learn in the course of their seasons will have a dramatic effect on the rest of their lives.
Keepers of the Game
As they set their eyes on a championship, an all-Native American girls’ lacrosse team seeks to change their tribe’s attitudes about gender roles. So many conflicts... girls playing lacrosse when it's a traditional men's sport. / an all native girls team / low self esteem, related to being native, with many of the girls / cross-rival team that is not mostly tribal, but has an Indian mascot ??!!
Molly of Denali
This series follows the adventures of Molly, a feisty and resourceful Alaska Native girl, as she helps her parents run the Denali Trading Post in their Alaskan village. Viewers are introduced to the rich history and modern-day experience of family life in the heart of the Alaskan tundra through the eyes of Molly, her parents, and her friends. Designed to help kids develop skills around informational text such as using a map and following an instruction manual, this is the first nationally distributed children's series in the U.S. to feature an Alaska Native lead character.
Keepers of the Game
As they set their eyes on a championship, an all-Native American girls’ lacrosse team seeks to change their tribe’s attitudes about gender roles. So many conflicts... girls playing lacrosse when it's a traditional men's sport. / an all native girls team / low self esteem, related to being native, with many of the girls / cross-rival team that is not mostly tribal, but has an Indian mascot ??!!