Indigen: Das Nordamerika Filmfestival

07/09/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Georgina Lightning, an amazing human being and Cree film maker, actor, writer and producer ❤️ our thoughts and love go out to her family and friends ❤️ Rest in Peace, Georgina ❤️

Georgina Lightning, trailblazing Cree filmmaker, actor, writer and producer, has passed away at 63.

A member of Samson Cree Nation, Lightning built a career spanning more than three decades in film and television. Her daughter, actor and musician Crystle Lightning, confirmed her passing Saturday.

“I have lost my mother, my sons Kohkum, my matriarch, my role model, my confidant,” Crystle shared.

Lightning was best known for the 2008 feature Older Than America, which she wrote, directed, produced and starred in, inspired in part by her family’s experiences with residential and boarding schools.

Her other screen credits included Johnny Greyeyes, DreamKeeper, Blackstone, Trickster, Three Pines and Alaska Daily.

Lightning passed away following an incident during an Indian relay event at Enoch Cree Nation. The Nation said authorities are investigating and asked that the privacy of the family and community be respected.

Tributes and expressions of heartbreak have spread across Indigenous film, media and community circles following news of her passing.

We extend our deepest condolences to Georgina Lightning’s children, grandchildren, relatives, loved ones, the Samson Cree Nation, and all those grieving her loss.

Georgina Lightning
1963–2026

01/09/2026

We cannot wait to take a closer look at Joy Harjo's new picture book with the artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley which is titled "Gathering the Light" ❤️

Wir können es kaum abwarten einen Blick in das neue Bilderbuch von Joy Harjo und der Künstlerin Mangeshig Pawks-Steckley mit dem Titel "Gathering the Light" zu werfen ❤️

My new picture book with the talented artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is available for pre-order now from Random House Children's Books!

27/08/2026

On September 5, we celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls ❤️

Am 5. September feiern wir den Internationalen Tag der Indigenen Frauen und Mädchen ❤️

https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-women-day?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT8sK5jbGNrBPywoHBkb2YBZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeyEk_Hjv7FUhbwfkkNBTKhy1On_sM2Z27rei_j98y0eOK62HbNOmQvKWnTVU_aem_5C2ZV4s8wUPrkwj5uK6WlA

22/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
The UNICEF representative Renae Morriseau

The INDIGENOUS: THE NORTH AMERICA FILM FESTIVAL team is happy and honored to announce the 2027 UNICEF representative: As an actress, director, writer, and musician, Renae Morriseau (Saulteaux First Nation (Cree)/Anishinaabe) brings stories to life through a wide range of media for theatre and television. Earlier this year, the second season of the children’s series “Kokum and Dot”, in which she plays the lead role, was released. This series introduces audiences to Cree language and culture.

International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls

They preserve knowledge, pass on languages and traditions, and form the heart of their communities – yet Indigenous women and girls around the world continue to face significantly greater disadvantages than non-Indigenous women and girls. The “International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls” on September 5, 2026, draws attention to their situation. Indigenous women and girls often experience multiple forms of discrimination simultaneously as a result of colonial structures of thought: their access to education and healthcare is frequently restricted because of their Indigenous identity, as is their social and political participation. In addition, a combination of male fantasies and inadequate legal protection places them at increased risk of violence, particularly sexual and gender-based violence. Earlier this month, on August 9, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples focused on the rights and living conditions of Indigenous peoples. This year’s theme highlighted the important role of Indigenous midwives and their contribution to the healthcare of Indigenous peoples. The international day of Indigenous women and girls on September 5 therefore brings together two important aims: drawing attention to existing inequalities and injustices while also recognizing the strength, knowledge, and indispensable contributions of Indigenous women and girls. Further information is available on the website of the United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-women-day.

Portrait Renae Morriseau: Copyright Renae Morriseau
Still "Kokum & Dot": Copyright Telus and April Johnson

22/08/2026

PRESSEMITTEILUNG

Vorstellung der UNICEF-Repräsentantin Renae Morriseau

Das INDIGEN: DAS NORDAMERIKA FILMFESTIVAL-Team freut sich sehr die UNICEF-Repräsentantin für 2027 vorstellen zu dürfen: Als Schauspielerin, Regisseurin, Autorin und Musikerin verarbeitet Renae Moriseau (Saulteaux First Nation (Cree)/Anishinaabe) Geschichten in ganz unterschiedlichen Medien für Theater und Fernsehen. Erst in diesem Jahr erschien die zweite Staffel der Kinderserie „Kokum and Dot“ mit ihr in der Hauptrolle, in welcher Renae Moriseau dem Publikum die Sprache und Kultur der Cree näher bringt.

International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls

Sie bewahren Wissen, geben Sprachen und Traditionen weiter und bilden das Zentrum ihrer Gemeinschaften – und dennoch sind indigene Frauen und Mädchen weltweit weiterhin mit erheblich mehr Benachteiligungen konfrontiert als nicht-indigene Frauen und Mädchen. Der „International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls“ am 5. September 2026 macht auf ihre Situation aufmerksam. Denn indigene Frauen und Mädchen erleben aufgrund kolonialer Denkstrukturen häufig mehrere Formen von Diskriminierung gleichzeitig: Ihr Zugang zu Bildung und Gesundheitsversorgung ist vielfach mit Verweis auf ihre Herkunft eingeschränkt, ebenso ihre gesellschaftliche und politische Teilhabe in den dominanten Gesellschaften. Zudem sind sie durch eine Kombination von männlichen Phantasien und mangelndem legalen Schutz einem erhöhten Risiko von Gewalt, insbesondere sexueller und geschlechtsspezifischer Gewalt, ausgesetzt. Bereits am 9. August, dem Internationalen Tag der indigenen Völker der Welt, standen die Rechte und Lebensbedingungen indigener Menschen im Fokus. Der diesjährige Schwerpunkt lag auf der wichtigen Rolle indigener Hebammen und ihrem Beitrag zur Gesundheitsversorgung indigener Völker. Der Aktionstag am 5. September verbindet daher zwei Anliegen: auf bestehende Ungleichheiten und Ungerechtigkeiten aufmerksam zu machen und zugleich die Stärke, das Wissen und den unverzichtbaren Beitrag indigener Frauen und Mädchen zu würdigen. Weitere Informationen zum Aktionstag gibt es auf der Website der Vereinten Nationen: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-women-day.

Portrait Renae Morriseau: Copyright Renae Morriseau
Still "Kokum & Dot": Copyright Telus und April Johnson

10/08/2026

Great news: the "North of North" series will be back with season 2 on September 8, 2026 😃❤️

Wunderbare Neuigkeiten: die Serie "North of North" kehrt am 8. September 2026 mit der 2. Staffel zurück 😃❤️

We're back, baby 😎 CANADA, see you September 8 on APTN and CBC Gem!

And for our fans around the world, stay tuned 👀 Season Two is coming to Netflix later this year…!

29/07/2026

The SWAIA Native Fashion Show lineup is here!!! 😊 check out the designers who will hit the runway on August 16 in Santa Fe 😊

Hier ist das Designer-Lineup der diesjährigen SWAIA Native Fashion Show am 16. August in Santa Fe!!! 😊

26/07/2026

Wonderful news ❤️
This Menominee dugout canoe has returned to the river:
"Water protectors Dawn M. Wilber and Wayne Swett spent weeks hand-carving a 17-foot pine log into a traditional Maeqtek-ōs, burning, scraping and sanding it by hand before finally taking it for a spin on July 15. Community members in attendance were allowed to take a turn paddling the canoe as well."

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4bP2mwh 😊

21/07/2026

Do not miss the amazing short film program of the Get Indigenous Film Festival (GIFF) in Santa Fe on August 15, 2026 😊

Verpasst auf keinen Fall das tolle Kurzfilmprogramm des Get Indigenous Film Festivals (GIFF) am 15. August 2026 in Santa Fe 😊

"Seven Indigenous short films. One afternoon. Stories that carry culture, community, and continuity. 🎬✨

The Get Indigenous Film Festival (GIFF) presents its Short Film Screenings Program — part of official 104th Santa Fe Indian Market programming — and this lineup is something truly special.

These seven selected short films represent the breadth and vitality of Indigenous storytelling today.

🎬 INNIIWA: The Blackfeet Buffalo Story (19:23)
🎬 The Light That Stays (15:01)
🎬 Seeds Across Generations (9:31)
🎬 Wbanaki Innovators (11:52)
🎬 Our Designs Tell Us Who We Are (11:29)
🎬 Grand Entry (11:46)
🎬 Legend of Fry-Roti: Rise of Dough (8:39)

The Get Indigenous Film Festival is a cultural platform within the Santa Fe Indian Market dedicated to supporting Indigenous continuity, creativity, and collective resilience through film and contemporary cultural practice.

📅 Saturday, August 15th, 2026
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 New Mexico History Museum Auditorium · 113 Lincoln Ave · Santa Fe, NM
🔗 Reserve your seat — visit SWAIA.org

Presented by SWAIA in partnership with , of San Manuel Nation, , and the Mexico History Museum . 🙏✨"