Toronto (Tkaronto), April 10, 2025 – The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) announces a $6,300,000 investment in Indigenous productions through the Production stream of the Story Fund Program, supporting 28 Indigenous creative teams across Canada. In total, ISO provided funding for nine feature films, five short films, and fourteen television series. These projects include nine productions from British Columbia, four from Quebec, three from Ontario, three from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, three from Manitoba, two from Nunavut and one from New Brunswick.
In addition, ISO supported $750,000 through the Sector Development program to support production and training costs for North of North, a CBC/APTN/Netflix original series shot in Iqaluit and spearheaded by Red Marrow Media.
The following projects have been supported by ISO’s Story Fund Program for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Feature Films:
Project: ‘styel̓ép (COMING FULL CIRCLE)
Company: SEK’LEP FILMS INC.
Key Creative: Sean Stiller, William’s Lake First Nation/English/Swedish and Jessica Hallenbeck
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: A group of Secwépemc youth enroll in the inaugural year of the Young Warriors program and grapple with coming of age in the climate crisis.
Project: BAIE JAMES
Company: REZOLUTION PICTURES INTERNATIONAL INC.
Key Creative: Ernest Webb, Cree, Melanie Lameboy, Cree, Catherine Bainbridge, Mathieu Fournier and Myriam Berthelet
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: Quebec
Synopsis: The documentary takes us back to the origins of two great revolutions: the dazzling expansion of Hydro-Québec with the construction of the La Grande complex, and the militant awakening of the aboriginal nations of Northern Quebec. A clash of civilizations where two worldviews collide.
Project: ETTHÉN / along the caribou fence
Key Creative: Takaiya Blaney, Coast Salish/Sliammon and Victoria Redsun, Denesuline/Nehitho
Type: Feature Film, Experimental
Region: Manitoba
Synopsis: Etthén is a mystical shapeshifter and bender of time and space. They walk through the Barren Lands and witness the people throughout generations sustaining a way of life. With Denesuline and Nehitho only spoken throughout the film, it is the only consistent line of revolution throughout thousands of years. From dogsleds, to snowmobiles to astral travelling we witness a spiritual insight of Modern and traditional blended hunting practices.
Project: SALVAGED
Company: SALVAGED PRODUCTIONS INC.
Key Creative: Carey Newman, Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, Michael Bourquin, Tahltan, Cody Graham and Mike Wavrecan
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Salvaged takes viewers on a journey through Vancouver Island’s threatened old-growth forests, highlighting the efforts of Nuu-chah-nulth master carver Moy Sutherland Jr. and his Indigenous-owned mill. The documentary weaves together stories of environmental preservation, cultural resurgence, and unique partnerships, showing how salvaged wood becomes beautiful, significant art for First Nations.
Project: SMUDGE THE BLADES
Company: ICE PIRATES PRODUCTIONS INC.
Key Creative: Cody Lightning, Maskwacis Cree Nation, Dylan Morin, Enoch Cree Nation, Hayley Morin, Enoch Cree Nation, Joshua Jackson, Enoch Cree Nation, Kyle Thomas and Sara Corry
Type: Feature Film, Young Adult
Region: Alberta
Synopsis: Smudge the Blades is a coming-of-age hockey dramedy. When a super-competitive team from a struggling reserve is kicked out of the prestigious City League, their only option to save their final season together is a rough-and-tumble rural league, and dysfunctional coach.
Project: TURTLE ISLAND TAP
Company: T.I. RAP INC.
Key Creative: Alexandra Lazarowich, Lubicon Lake First Nation, Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas, Cayuga, Six Nations and Tim “2oolman” Hill, Mohawk Nation, Six Nations
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: Ontario
Synopsis: Turtle Island Tap is a verite documentary that follows three young Indigenous rappers over a year as they fight to make it in the music industry, strive to be free of colonialism, and challenge prejudice through their art.
Project: TZINQUAW OPERA
Company: ORCA COVE MEDIA INC.
Key Creative: Harold C. Joe, Cowichan Tribes and Leslie D. Bland
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Through the traditional story, music, and dance of today’s Tzinquaw Dance Group, we investigate the breaking of bounds of the Indian Act’s cultural oppression through the Tzinquaw Opera’s creation and widespread acclaim in the 1950s, leading to the present-day revitalization of Coast Salish culture.
Project: UNDER THE ARBOR
Company: UNDER THE ARBOR FILMS INC.
Key Creative: Hayley Morin, Cree Treaty 6 and Mack Stannard
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: Alberta
Synopsis: Under the Arbor offers an immersive exploration of the captivating world of Powwow performers, delving deep into their artistry and the rich tapestry of their lives on the trail. Through the lens of a dancer, singer, and drum group during the 2024 season, this documentary provides an intimate and revealing portrayal of one of the prairies’ most cherished traditions. Join us as we uncover the dedication, passion, and cultural significance of these remarkable individuals, celebrating their stories and the vibrant spirit of the Powwow circuit.
Project: UNTIL OUR HEARTS ARE ON THE GROUND
Company: WARRIOR LIFE STUDIOS INC.
Key Creative: Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, Anishinaabe, Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, Anishinaabe and Pam Palmater, Mi’Kmaw
Type: Feature Film, Documentary
Region: New Brunswick
Synopsis: An Indigenous woman, expelled from her community for marrying a non-Indigenous man, embarks on a decades-long journey to end sex discrimination in Canada’s Indian Act. After 500 years of colonial laws and policies designed to eliminate the “Indian problem”, she faces an impossible battle, and loses her court challenge. But Canada underestimated this woman whose love and passion for her people inspires her to join other Indigenous women warriors to take on Canada in a bid to protect First Nations from legal extinction – but time is running out.
Short Films:
Project: EVERLASTING
Key Creative: Amanda Lickers, Seneca, Six Nations Grand River
Type: Short Film, Documentary
Region: Ontario
Synopsis: This experimental short-documentary film follows the place-keeping power of unbroken ties to territory through local seed saving and hide tanning initiatives. Interlacing past-present-future across the backdrop of a shape-shifting metropolis, Indigenous peoples connection to the land is affirmed beyond the past — as everlasting.
Project: HOMELANDS
Company: BONFREE FILMS (collective)
Key Creative: Colleen Hemphill, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations and Ritchie Hemphill, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations, Ryan Haché
Type: Short Film, Animation
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Homelands follows Yakutlus, as he embarks on a transformative journey back to his ancestral homelands, exploring the intertwined themes of identity, connection, and healing through stunning stop-motion animation that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and lands of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw peoples.
Project: RED SUEDE RADICAL OR RATS
Company: KANIEHTIIO HORN BATT ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Key Creative: Angie Pepper O’Bomsawin, Abenaki, Eva Thomas, Ojibway and Kaniehtiio Horn, Kanienkehaka
Type: Short Film, Comedy
Region: Ontario
Synopsis: A young woman makes a bold statement at Indian Affairs about illegal dumping in her community by releasing live rats and mice during a presentation. Based on true events.
Project: TAKE CARE
Key Creative: Dallas Soonias, Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe, Faith Sparrow-Crawford, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm/Norweigan/British, Salia Joseph, Squamish Nation and Mik Narciso
Type: Short Film, Drama
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: In the four days following the death of their matriarch, family tensions run high and 15 year old HOPE struggles to find her footing in cultural protocol.
Project: UNREMEMBERED
Key Creative: John Wapioke, Iskatewizaagegan and Ryan R. Black, Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation
Type: Short Film, Drama
Region: Manitoba
Synopsis: Unremembered is a short film that follows Mooz as he helps JB, a boy lost in rural Canada return to his homelands of Sturgeon Lake. During their journey they encounter the troubles of trying to hitch a ride due to Mooz’ large stature and appearance and, strange looks from some and kind gestures from other travelling strangers.
Television Series:
Project: BORN WARRIORS
Company: INDIGIFILM MEDIA INC.
Key Creative: Brandon Wilson, Cree, Kelvin Redvers, Dene, Sam Karney, Métis, Mark Miller and Neil Thomas
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Born Warriors is a series that follows the lives of three elite, high-performance Indigenous athletes all chasing a dream. Three unique and inspiring characters, competing in different disciplines, but all sharing a common goal – to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports. Whether that’s an Olympic medal podium, or being drafted into the WNBA, these athletes have dedicated their lives to a singular, powerful mission – to be ‘the best of the best’.
Project: CHUMS III
Company: CHUMS 3 MEDIA INC.
Key Creative: Dennis Jackson, Cree, Eric Jackson, Cree, Justina Neepin, Cree, Leif Kaldor and Leslea Mair
Type: Television Series, Children and Youth
Region: Saskatchewan
Synopsis: A rag tag group of furry friends on Turtle Island are discovering their relationship with the animals and their environment on Mother Earth.
Project: COLDSPOTTERS: WESTCOAST MOST HAUNTED
Company: WAPANATAHK MEDIA INC.
Key Creative: Mike Gosselin, Métis, Shirley McLean, Carcross/Tagish First Nation and Tania Koenig-Gauchier, Métis Nation, British Columbia
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Driven by their ancestral connection to land and the spirit world, Coldspotters use their investigative prowess and impressive tech to fearlessly seek truth about hauntings, poltergeists, urban legends and cryptids. Coldspotters find answers about bone-chilling paranormal entities and mystifying supernatural events other teams simply won’t. They strive to find answers to the unknown with their unique Indigenous perspective while creating better public understanding and awareness about the spirit world.
Project: COUNTING COUP (NORTHLAND TALES)
Company: NLT1 PRODUCTIONS INC.
Key Creative: Dakota Ray Hebert, English River First Nation, Gitz Crazyboy, Piikani First Nations, Ryan Moccasin, Anishinaabe, Shane Belcourt, Métis, Tito Ybarra, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Marlo Miazga and Shant Joshi
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Saskatchewan
Synopsis: Northland Tales is an unscripted, half-hour comedy series where an Indigenous activist trio uses pranks as a form of social action. With outrageous humor, they flip the script on modern and historical injustices against Indigenous peoples, offering a fresh, timely perspective on the prank genre, akin to shows like Borat and The Yes Men.
Project: GUARDIANS OF THE LAND
Company: NIKAN PRODUCTIONS (IV) INC. (formerly Terre Innue Inc.)
Key Creative: Alexandre Bacon, Innu, Brad Gros-Louis, Wendat, Florent Vollant, Innu, Kim O’Bomsawin, Abenaki, Olivia Ike, Inuk and Amy Miller
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Quebec
Synopsis: Guardians of the Land follows three Indigenous land guardians groups – two from Canada and one from Australia. Against a backdrop of the climate emergency, they face challenges on many fronts and will go to any length to protect the land, their communities, and culture.
Project: KIIQ!
Company: KIIQ! 1 INC.
Key Creative: Jaypeetee Arnakak, Inuit, Nadia Sammurtok, Inuit and Neil Christopher
Type: Television Series, Children and Youth
Region: Nunavut
Synopsis: Kiiq! is an entertaining and educational children’s series that encourages an active lifestyle and healthy living. Kiiq! will be composed of a fun mix of animation, puppets, and live-action for 3-7-year-olds. Kiiq! will entertain children, while providing educational opportunities to learn about Inuit games, northern sports, and the importance of healthy habits. This series will be in Inuktitut and provide fun educational opportunities to strengthen the use and exposure to Inuktitut. This series is set in Nunavut, with several communities featured.
Project: NISH
Company: KASSIWI MÉDIA INC.
Key Creative: Brad Gros-Louis, Wendat, Isabelle Picard, Wendat, Julie O’Bomsawin, Abénakis, Menahan O’Bomsawin, Abénakis, Olivia Ikey, Inuit, Jean-François Proteau and Louis-Martin Pepperall
Type: Television Series, Children and Youth
Region: Quebec
Synopsis: Through the lives of twins, two 13-year-old teenagers from the Innu community of Matimekush and the Wendat community of Wendake, and the ties that unite them, the series depicts the primordial importance of family for First Nations. Adapted from the Wendat Nation novel Nish: Le Nord et le Sud by Isabelle Picard.
Project: PITAGO STOP
Company: NISH TELEVISION INC.
Key Creative: Eve Ringuette, Innu Nation, Jason Brennan, Kitigan-Zibi Anishnabeg, Normand Junior Thirnish-Pilot, Innu Nation and Sonia Bonspille Boileau, Kanien’kehá:ka
Type: Television Series, Comedy
Region: Quebec
Synopsis: The Pitago Stop is a small, friendly but messy business located at the crossroads of a busy provincial highway and the road leading to the heart of the (fictional) Anishnaabe community of Weymistis. Paul Pitagish, the center’s director, hires a neophyte videographer to document the good times (and, despite himself, the not-so-good!) of his dedicated team, in order to prove to backers that the center is a success, and also to inspire other aboriginal communities to develop an entrepreneurial streak.
Project: TAKEN SEASON FIVE
Company: TAKEN SEASON FIVE INC.
Key Creative: Dinae Robinson, Anishinaabe/Ojibway, Ivana Yellowback, Cree, Jessica Landry, Red River Métis, Justina Neepin, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Lisa Meeches, Ojibway, Kyle Irving and Rebecca Gibson
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Manitoba
Synopsis: The goals are clear for all involved, to solve cases, raise awareness for the work being done, create safety and systemic change, and honour those who have been lost and bring them home or at least closure to their loved ones. Each episode tells the story of an individual’s life – the people and things they loved, the dreams they had, and the legacy they left behind. Gripping interviews with loved ones and community members, and experts are interwoven with emotionally riveting reenactments, photos, video, and sometimes audio of the subjects, inviting us to know who they were
Project: QIRNGAQTUQ – FIERCE PRAYERS
Company: 5984 NUNAVUT INC.
Key Creative: Carol Kunuk, Inuit, Nataq Ungalaaq, Inuit, Robyn Angilirq, Inuit, Susan Avingaq, Inuit, Zacharias Kunuk, Inuit, Cecilia Greyson, Connie Littlefield, Gillian Robinson, Jonathan Frantz, and Marcela Gomez
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Nunavut
Synopsis: Qirngaqtuq (Fierce Prayers) is a deeply personal exploration of a filmmaker’s quest for meaning and connection. Through his reflections on spirituality, culture, and creativity, Zacharias invites viewers on a journey of introspection and discovery, reminding us of the profound power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience.
Project: RECLAIM MY SKIN
Company: RMS (BC) MEDIA
Key Creative: Ernest Webb, Cree, Marie Clements, Métis/Dene, Catherine Bainbridge, Steven Thibault and Trish Dolman
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Reclaim my skin is a documentary series that reclaims Indigenous women’s history and authority in North America. Challenging stereotypes and authority while celebrating the resilience and resurgence of Indigenous female and Queer virtue. Reclaim my skin empowers Indigenous women and their allies with the knowledge of their true history, revealing that the take down of female power by colonial forces was ruthlessly enforced to take the land.
Project: RED RIVER GOLD SEASON 2
Company: RED RIVER GOLD PRODUCTIONS 2 INC.
Key Creative: Doug Cuthand, Cree, Sam Karney, Metis/Ukrainian, Saxon de Cocq, Metis, Ell McEachern, Hannah Hermanson and Lisa Unrau
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Saskatchewan
Synopsis: After the celebration of the big find in the frozen bog, the team waits for the ice to thaw and mosquitos to reappear before heading to the very start of the Dawson Road, at the edge of the Northwest Angle. Here, they discover the evidence of an old Métis village, that was used as a trading and transportation hub. With rumors of the gold being hidden by an old building, this has the team excited to start digging, knowing full well there are other historical treasures to find.
Project: SECRET HISTORY: LORE AND LEGENDS
Company: SHO CYCLE 3 LTD.
Key Creative: Julian Black Antelope, Blackfoot/Irish and Michael Morrison
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: Alberta
Synopsis: Secret History: Lore and Legends is the third season in the Secret History series that connects the past with the present as it delves deep into the rich tapestry of connections between traditional Indigenous narratives, ancient astronaut theories and other enigmatic phenomena.
Project: SUPERNATURALS
Company: FASHIONABLE PRODUCTIONS INC.
Key Creative: Claudia Skunk, Anishinaabe/ Swampy Cree, Joleen Mitton, Plains Cree, Patrick Shannon, Haida/ Skidegate First Nation, Shane Belcourt, Métis and Michael Grand
Type: Television Series, Documentary
Region: British Columbia
Synopsis: Supernaturals brings viewers behind-the-scenes into the world’s first all-Indigenous modelling agency, Supernaturals Modelling, as founder Joleen Mitton (former international model) leads her found family of models, designers, and supporters to grow the agency, change the way the industry treats models, and redefine how Indigenous people are seen in fashion.
The Story Fund is supporting the full cycle of creation, production and dissemination across all screen-based platforms with a focus on Indigenous storytelling and narrative sovereignty.
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For more information or to book an interview:
Jean-François D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications and Francophone Initiatives, ISO
jfobomsawin@iso-bea.ca
About Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.