Native American Women: Voices Across Generations

Over the past decade, 3 Generations has amplified the voices of courageous Native American women. These women have suffered, survived, and risen to take an active role in transforming their communities. Despite being affected by violent colonization and the resulting intergenerational trauma, Native women refuse to be defined by these traumas. 

It's remarkable to witness the ongoing efforts of Native individuals and communities to reclaim their cultural narratives and express their unique perspectives through cinema and media. The Native Women in Film Festival's 14-year legacy is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Indigenous women directors. Their work is vital in shaping conversations and fostering a deeper understanding of the Native experience. 

The fact that this year's festival featured more than 30 films directed by Indigenous women is a significant milestone, reflecting the increasing recognition of their contributions to the film industry and their ability to cover a wide range of important issues. From domestic violence and the tragic cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women to trauma stemming from the boarding school era and contemporary challenges like pipeline protests, these films provide a platform for these stories that are often marginalized or overlooked.

As a documentary nonprofit, we are happy to highlight films with Native leads, like Love and Fury, a 2021 documentary that follows a group of Native artists. Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo follows said Native artists for a year as they navigate their careers in the US and abroad. The film explores the immense complexities each artist faces surrounding their identity, as well as making a place for themselves in the art world.

Continuing to address the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women and girls is of paramount importance. By doing so, we hope to bring light to how the intersection of atrocities against women and Native communities is particularly egregious. For more information about atrocities against Indigenous women and the causes we support, please visit our website 3generations.org, and connect with us on social media @3_generations.