Film

“Bring Them Home” and “Iniskim” Follow Powerful Tribal Connection to the American Buffalo

These short films, based on the real-life Blackfeet buffalo drive, are part of Well Beings CHI (Culture, Heritage and Identity), which features diverse stories, perspectives, and conversations showing how culture, heritage, and identity are core to our well being.

Bring Them Home

Bring Them Home / Aiskótáhkapiyaaya is an intimate documentary about the only indigenous tribal-led buffalo drive in North America. This companion piece to Ken Burns’ The American Buffalo tells the story of a small group of Blackfoot people in Northern Montana and their mission to establish the first wild buffalo herd on their ancestral territory since the species’ near-extinction a century ago, an act that would restore the land, re-enliven traditional culture and bring much needed healing to their community.

Narrated by Academy Award-nominated Blackfeet / Nez Perce actor, Lily Gladstone.

Iniskim

Shot on the real-life Blackfeet buffalo drive and inspired by a true story, this companion piece to Ken Burns’ The American Buffalo follows a young girl’s journey from trauma to recovery. By reconnecting with the ancient power of the buffalo and the wisdom of her culture, she makes a discovery that will change her life forever.

Iniskim was nominated for three Emmy awards and won an Emmy for Photography.


Bring Them Home and Iniskim were made possible in part by the Big Sky Film Grant.

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