The arts live on, despite the social distancing necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has moved its Native American film festival online. “INDIgenesis: GEN 3” is a showcase of three collections of short films titled Indigenous “Lens, Our Reality,” “Shorts: Revitalization” and “Mediatheque Playlist:INDIgenesis.”

“As Indigenous people, we have always adapted during times of uncertainty and change as did our ancestors before us,” said guest curator Missy Whiteman (Northern Arapaho and Kickapoo Nations). “In the spirit of those who came before and honoring Indigenous filmmakers, we invite you to the virtual screenings of INDIgenesis film series.”

Indigenous Lens: Our Reality is a collection of short films that focus on contemporary stories about what it means to be Indigenous today, portraying identity and adaptability in a colonialist system. The program’s themes, including two-spirit transgender love, coming of age, reflections on friends and fathers, “indigenizing” pop art, and creative investigations into acts of repatriation. 

Films in the Indigenous Lens: Our Reality series include:

“Lore” Directed by Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians)

“Culture Capture: Terminal Adddition” Directed by New Red Order: Adam Khalil (Ojibway), Zack Khalil (Ojibway), Jackson Polys (Tlingit), Bayley Sweitzer

“Mino Bimaadiziwin” Directed by Shane McSauby  (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians)

“The Moon and the Night” Directed by Erin Lau (Kanaka Maoli)

“Viva Diva” Directed by Daniel Flores (Yaqui)

“Dig It If You Can” Directed by Kyle Bell (Creek-Thlopthlocco Tribal Town)

Revitalization is a series of three short films by Indigenous filmmakers that feature personal stories of healing through cultural revitalization. Films in the series  include:

“Isabelle’s Garden” Directed by Jeffrey Palmer (Kiowa)

“Boxers of Brule” Directed by Jessie Adler and Tracy Rector (Choctaw/Seminole)

“Fast Horse” Directed by Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree)

To ensure that filmmakers maintain control of their works, links are provided to filmmaker hosted sites. Online access to films is available for the duration that these links are publicly shared by the filmmakers. Password protected films will be available for viewing until April 15, 2020. For more information visit www.walkerart.org.