James M. Fortier

Alcatraz Is Not an Island

James M. Fortier

In November 1969 a small group of Native American students and urban Indians began the occupation of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Eventually joined by thousands of Native Americans, they claimed "Indian land" for the first time since the 1880s. This documentary tells the story of that occupation which lasted 19 months, interweaving archival footage and contemporary commentary to examine how this historic event altered US government Indian policy and programs, and how it forever changed the way Native Americans viewed themselves, their culture and their sovereign rights. c2002.

Gifts From the Elders

James M. Fortier

Wab Kinew

Follows five Anishinaabe youth on a summer research project with their Elders, whose stories guide them on a journey back to proceeding generations that lived a healthy lifestyle off of the land. Their stories chronicle the devastating impact that environmental and cultural dispossession had on the flow of knowledge from Elders to youth, and ultimately on the health of their people. As their summer comes to an end, the youth emerge with "gifts" of knowledge and teachings from their Elders, inspiring a renewed determination to forge a hopeful and healthy future for the next generation.