Indigenous Peoples’ Day: LGBTQ+ films, TV shows, and docs to watch

Hollywood has had a long history of excluding Indigenous peoples from mainstream media — often turning real stories and individuals into senseless caricatures that are more widely understood by the general public.

Thankfully, several young Indigenous writers, directors, actors, musicians, and performance artists have been actively fighting back in recent years to reclaim narratives, be accurately visible, and have ownership of their own stories.

Though we’re still far from an ideal standard, reflecting on this painful history and looking forward to a more equitable future are great activities to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Below, a list of films, TV shows, and documentaries that center and/or feature LGBTQ+ Indigenous identities.

‘Rutherford Falls’ (2021)

Co-created by Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo), Rutherford Falls is a sitcom that explores identity, history, and culture with a sense of humor. Standout stars include Jesse Leigh, Jana Schmieding, and Michael Greyeyes, to name a few.

‘Reservation Dogs’ (2021)

Reservation Dogs — which premiered its first season in 2021 — filmed in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation and was the first television series with an all-Indigenous staff of writers and directors. Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, this FX original series also made waves for its cast, which included superstar-in-the-making Devery Jacobs.

‘Drunktown’s Finest’ (2014)

The stories of three young Navajo people are intertwined in Drunktown’s Finest: a trans woman with aspirations to be a model; a man on the verge of becoming a father; and a woman of Christian faith who had been adopted while younger. The film was written and directed by queer Navajo filmmaker Sydney Freeland.

‘Certain Women’ (2016)

From IFC Films, 2016’s Certain Women had a star-studded cast of actors like Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, and Jared Harris — all while introducing then-newcomer Lily Gladstone to mainstream audiences. In the film, Gladstone plays a queer indigenous rancher that happens to develop a connection with a teacher. Less than 10 years later, Gladstone would become the first-ever Native American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

‘Wildhood’ (2021)

Wildhood is a coming-of-age LGBTQ+ drama set in a trailer park that tells the story of Link (Phillip Lewitski) while living with an abusive father and younger half-brother named Travis (Avery Winters-Anthony). After discovering that his Mi’kmaw mother might still be alive, Link leaves his current reality and goes out into the world to start anew. Along the way, Link meets Pasmay (Joshua Odjick), who unlocks feelings of love, companionship, belonging, and identity.

‘Two Spirits’ (2009)

2009’s Two Spirits centers on 16-year-old Fred Martinez, a Navajo nádleehí (“two-spirit”) person who was killed. Through Martinez’s story, this documentary feature directed by Lydia Nibley also spends time exploring the overall history of gender diversity in Native American cultures.

‘Fire Song’ (2015)

A gay Anishinaabe teen named Shane (played by Andrew Martin) is forced to navigate the loss of his sister (who took her own life) while finding a way to support his family. From Cree-Métis director Adam Garnet Jones, Fire Song offers a brutal — but also powerful — perspective on dealing with financial pressures while attempting to stay true to your own origins and community.