Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Shane Belcourt and released in 2025.Pat Mullen, "How Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising Harnesses a Call to Spirit". Point of View, September 7, 2025. The film recounts the story of an activist group who occupied Anicinabe Park in Kenora, Ontario, for 38 days in 1974 to protest the legal and social state of First Nations in Canada, spawning a further wave of indigenous activism that included a protest on Parliament Hill and influencing the American Indian Movement in the United States.Courtney Small, "Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising Review – An Occupation for Change". Point of View, September 9, 2025.
Production and release Journalist and writer Tanya Talaga was also involved in the film as a writer and producer.Sam Laskaris, "Documentary focuses on First Nations’ land back protest five decades ago". Windspeaker, September 8, 2025. The film is told largely through the eyes of Tyler Cameron, the son of protest leader Louie Cameron.
Music for the film was composed by Tom Wilson and his son Thompson Wilson, under the band name Tehohàhake.Matthew Carey, "TIFF Trailer: Historic Indigenous Uprising In Ontario Documented In ‘Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising’". Deadline Hollywood, August 27, 2025.
The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.Andrew Tracy, "Serial Maven boards doc Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising". Playback, August 29, 2025.
Critical response Courtney Small of Point of View wrote that "Rightfully giving Cameron and the other protesters the praise they deserve, Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising is a moving celebration of the unbreakable nature of the Indigenous spirit. Belcourt’s film highlights why it is important to keep these stories, and those who lived to tell it, at the forefront of Canada’s history."
References
External links