Cinema's Role in Preserving and Reviving Indigenous Cultures

Dances with Wolves, released in 1990, was a critical and commercial success that brought attention to the plight of Native Americans and helped to spark a renewed interest in their culture and history.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is a 2010 Thai film that won the Palme d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

Rabbit-Proof Fence is a 2002 Australian film that tells the story of the Stolen Generations, the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families.

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is a 2001 Canadian film that tells the story of a group of Inuit hunters who must travel across the Arctic to find food and shelter.

Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand film that tells the story of a young Maori woman who returns to her ancestral village to learn about her culture and traditions.

Ten Canoes is a 2006 Australian film that tells the story of a group of Aboriginal Australians who are forced to leave their traditional lands.

Incident at Oglala is a 1992 American film that tells the story of a group of Native American activists who occupy Alcatraz Island in protest of the government's treatment of Native Americans.

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand film that tells the story of a young Maori man who is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.

Powwow Highway is a 1989 American film that tells the story of a group of Native American women who are forced to work as prostitutes in order to survive.

Samson and Delilah is a 2009 Australian film that tells the story of a young Aboriginal Australian man who is trying to find his place in the world.

Boy is a 2010 New Zealand film that tells the story of a group of Maori activists who are fighting for the rights of their people.

Thunderheart is a 1992 American film that tells the story of a group of Native American veterans who are struggling to adjust to life after the Vietnam War.

Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand film that tells the story of a young Maori woman who is trying to find her place in the world.

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is a 1978 Australian film that tells the story of a group of Aboriginal Australians who are fighting for their land rights.

Smoke Signals is a 1998 American film that tells the story of a group of Native American activists who are fighting for the rights of their people.