Deenaadàį’ means ‘long, long ago’ in the Gwich’in language and is a customary beginning in legacy storytelling.

We are Alaska Native Filmmakers committed to telling stories that uplift and celebrate our beautiful languages and culture.

Meet our Storytelling Team

Documentary

  • Apayuaq

    Apayauq follows Inupiaq dog musher Apayauq Reitan as she becomes the first out trans woman to complete the Iditarod, a 1,000 mile sled dog race across some of the toughest and most inhospitable terrain in Alaska. Along the way Apayauq reflects on the challenges she has faced coming out as trans, her journey to doing so, and what it means to complete the Iditarod as a woman. In an era when countless attacks are being launched against trans people nationwide, Apayauq works to create further empathy and understanding.

  • Nughelnik: It is Remembered Within Us

    In partnership with the Alaska Just Transition Initiative, Alaska Climate Alliance, and Green New Deal Network, Deenaadai’ is working on a short documentary focused on the role of regenerative economies in Alaska’s fight toward a just climate transition. The short will center Indigenous Sovereignty and values.

  • Faith in Action

    A series of community interviews being conducted in Fairbanks with faith/spiritual community members exploring the intersections of faith in/and democracy. This project is a partnership between Native Movement and Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition’s Interfaith Working Group - funded through the Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement.

  • Short doc on the research of Adeline Peter Raboff

    For over 40 years, Adeline has been researching the pre-colonial history and geneologies of the Gwich’in and Northern Koyukon. This short doc explores her connection to this research.

Connect with us at james@deenaadai.com