Buckley Petawabano

This short documentary examines an innovative educational program developed by John and Gerti Murdoch to teach Cree children their language via Cree folklore, photographs, artifacts, and books that were written and printed in the community. Made as part of the NFB’s groundbreaking Challenge for Change series, Cree Way shows that local control of the education curriculum has a place in Indigenous communities.

In this feature drama, a Canadian Indigenous youth attempts to find a place for himself. He faces culture shock as the educational system teaches him to be a white man and tries to find a way of life more meaningful to his Indigenous culture and ancestry.

A performing arts film by Alanis Obomsawin, it documents efforts to raise funds for the James Bay Cree and was made at a time when Cree territory was threatened by hydro-electric projects. Amisk represents early work by Obomsawin, a trailblazer in Canadian Aboriginal film.

"Adventures in Rainbow Country," aired on CBC Television from 1970 to 1971 and later ran on Nickelodeon in the early '80s. Led by Lois Maxwell as Nancy Williams, a widow caring for her children in rural Northern Ontario, the series revolved around family dynamics and featured characters like Billy, his Ojibwa friend Pete Gawa, and bush pilot Dennis McGubgub. Filming took place around Whitefish Falls, near Espanola, and scenes were shot in Birch Island and Manitoulin Island in 1969. With 26 episodes, it had successful reruns in Canada and internationally, appearing on channels like DejaView and Silver Screen Classics. Although never officially cancelled, the series didn't produce more episodes after its initial run.