Research Guides: Indigenous Poetry &amp; Poets: Performance Poetry & Storytelling

Streaming Content & Library Online Course Reserves (LOCR)

IMPORTANT: Course instructors should enter streaming video titles into LOCR if they are recommending films to their students. Many streamed video databases are subscription-based and access to individual titles can be time-limited. If titles have been entered into LOCR then Library staff will be able to contact instructors before access is lost.

Please note that not all streaming content is indexed in Summon. If a title does not come up in the LOCR search use the manual form entry link that appears when items are not found to enter in the relevant information about the title including director, year, etc. If UBC Library does not own/have access to the title, Library staff will automatically investigate the options available and communicate these to the course instructor.

Visual/Performance Poetry & Storytelling

The following is a brief selection of Indigenous performance poetry and Storytelling from Canadian artists.

Amanda Strong
Strong is a storyteller and animator/artist working out of unceded Musquem territory. Her work combines poetry, music, and animation. We have a number of her short films available to stream through the UBC library.
Tanya Tagaq
Watch performances and talks by Inuit author and throat singer Tanya Tagaq. Her remarkable first novel, Split Tooth, is also available through X̱wi7x̱wa.
Words Aloud : A film by Elizabeth Zetlin
"This documentary takes you on a journey through the many forms of spoken word, including dub, slam and lyric poetry, performance poetry, and storytelling. The film addresses issues of immigrant experience, inner city issues, and cultural identity, including black and aboriginal points of view. You'll get an insider's look at the Words Aloud Festival performances, interviews, and the story of Adam, an 18-year-old student who begins to find his own voice. You'll discover what makes a poet, what drives them to create, what's most difficult about the writing life, and what compels them to continue. You'll see how a small town creates a vibrant poetic community."
NFB Campus (National Film Board)
Online viewing of films produced by the National Film Board of Canada, including animation, documentaries, experimental productions, and alternative dramas. Explore subjects such as: "Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) Storytelling," "Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Inuit)," and "Indigenous Peoples Poetry," and more.

Short Films Online

8th Fire Dispatches
A series of short audio-visual narratives showcasing Indigenous filmmakers and storytellers across Canada.
Inuktitube
YouTube for people who speak Inuktitut.
IsumaTV
Indigenous community videos in 70 languages.
5 Must See Sci-Fi Films (A Tribe Called Geek)
Curated by A Tribe Called Geek, these shorts reflect the rise of Indigenous science fiction and futurism.
Vistas (NFB and APTN)
Thirteen films from Indigenous filmmakers across Canada on the subject of nationhood.
Drawing Wisdom - Story Portal
Drawing Wisdom is a Hello Cool World initiative exploring the roots of resilience through creative wellness projects within Indigenous communities.
Global Environmental Justice Collection
Documentaries in this collection that may be of interest: Tar Creek, Yindabad, Homeland, People of a Feather, and Arrows Against the Wind.
Encore+
A YouTube channel by the Canadian Media Fund featuring Canadian content. Search for broad terms like "Indigenous" or more specific ones like "Cree". You can also search for individual films and filmmakers.
STORYHIVE - Indigenous Collection
Since 2013, STORYHIVE has funded productions and supported emerging filmmakers with mentorship and support from the National Screen Institute, bringing hundreds of films to life online and around the world.

McIntyre Media

Xwi7xwa purchased many individual Indigenous-focused streaming media titles which are hosted on a platform called McIntyre Media.

Here is a list of selected streaming media at X̱wi7x̱wa Library!

There are two ways you'll be prompted to connect before you can access your online item:

Login to the library website using your CWL before you start browsing - https://openathens.library.ubc.ca/
Browse the library website and enter your CWL when the system prompts you (usually when you want to view an online journal or e-book)

Here’s how to search the library catalogue for streaming content:

To look for a particular title, at the basic search, enter a keyword (use AND, OR, NOT or “a phrase”) and include the following in your search string: video and online and xwi7xwa. Example: To find The Pass System, enter the following: “pass system” video and online and xwi7xwa
To browse what’s available, at the basic search, enter the following: video and online and xwi7xwa. You can then filter your results by selecting “video recording” under the content type.

IMPORTANT: When searching for streaming media in UBC's Catalogue you may not find the title you are looking for but you still may have streaming privileges of that title!!!

Check National Film Board (needs Campus Wide Login)

Check Criterion on Demand