Film & TV Series That Get Indigenous Representation Right

Authentic Indigenous representation isn’t just about who appears on screen. It’s about who crafts the story, whose perspective drives it, and whether the communities portrayed are meaningfully involved in its creation. Over recent decades, several feature films and series created and led by Indigenous people have raised the bar for authentic storytelling in media. Here are some standout examples and why they matter:

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)

The first Canadian feature film written, directed, and acted entirely by Inuit creators. It remains one of the most powerful examples of Indigenous control over storytelling. Shot in Inuktitut and rooted in oral history, it proves how cultural authenticity can feel universal.

Beans (2020)

Directed by Mohawk filmmaker Tracey Deer, Beans portrays the 1990 Oka Crisis through the eyes of a young girl. It connects a historic political struggle to the coming-of-age journey of an Indigenous child, making the events deeply personal.

Night Raiders (2021)

A dystopian sci-fi thriller directed by Cree-Métis filmmaker Danis Goulet, this film reimagines the history of residential schools. It shows how genre storytelling can be harnessed to reclaim painful history in powerful ways.

Boy (2010)

Taika Waititi’s Boy is set in a small Māori community and blends humor, heart, and cultural detail. It balances universal themes of childhood and family with a distinctly Māori voice.

Blood Quantum (2019)

Directed by Mi’kmaq filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, this zombie thriller turns the genre on its head: only members of a Mi’kmaq community are immune to the plague. It’s a bold political statement layered with cultural depth.

Reservation Dogs (2021–2023)

Created by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee) and Taika Waititi (Māori), this groundbreaking FX series was written, directed, and acted almost entirely by Indigenous people. Set in rural Oklahoma, it portrays the lives of Native youth with humor, heart, and honesty. Reservation Dogs is celebrated as a landmark in Indigenous television for its authenticity, relatability, and cultural specificity, all while breaking into mainstream popularity.

Chief of War (2025)

This Apple TV+ historical drama is co-created, written, and executive produced by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, both of Native Hawaiian heritage. Momoa also stars as the lead and directs the series finale, ensuring deep Indigenous leadership and perspective in storytelling. Cultural advisors across departments, Hawaiian-language dialogue, and partnership with translation experts like Awaiaulu further affirm its authenticity.

North of North (2025)

Created and executive produced by Inuit filmmakers Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, this Arctic-set comedy series was filmed in Iqaluit and grounded in Inuit culture and humor. It’s the first major TV series shot in Nunavut of this scale, and it centers Inuit voices in both creative leadership and ensemble cast as well as behind-the-scenes roles.

What These Stories Teach Us

Looking at these examples, a few common threads stand out. Indigenous leadership matters: when Indigenous people write, direct, and produce their own stories, they avoid stereotypes and bring truth to the screen. Community and language are also key. Whether it’s Inuktitut in Atanarjuat or Hawaiian in Chief of War, honoring language and cultural input makes a story authentic and powerful.

These films also show that Indigenous creators thrive across genres. Night Raiders and Blood Quantum use sci-fi and horror to explore colonial histories and survival in ways that feel both innovative and empowering. Meanwhile, deeply personal perspectives like Beans remind us how broader political struggles shape families and childhoods.

And finally, contemporary relevance shines through. North of North reimagines Inuit life with humor and depth, while Chief of War reclaims Hawaiian history on a global stage. These projects show that Indigenous storytelling isn’t only about the past, it’s vibrant, modern, and evolving.

Why It Matters for Media

Authentic Indigenous representation is more than avoiding missteps. It’s about empowering Indigenous communities to lead their own stories. These examples demonstrate that when Indigenous creators are centered in decision-making roles, the media produced resonates universally. For brands, agencies, and creators, the formula is clear: hire Indigenous talent in key creative roles, budget for proper consultation, and elevate Indigenous voices from the start. Your work will be stronger, more honest, and far more impactful.

—Marika Sila (RedPath Founder)