The Ballad of Crowfoot (1968)

The Ballad of Crowfoot (1968) poster

Released in 1968 and often referred to as Canada’s first music video, The Ballad of Crowfoot was directed by Willie Dunn, a Mi’kmaq/Scottish folk singer and activist who was part of the historic Indian Film Crew, the first all-Indigenous production unit at the NFB. The film is a powerful look at colonial betrayals, told through a striking montage of archival images and a ballad composed by Dunn himself about the legendary 19th-century Siksika (Blackfoot) chief who negotiated Treaty 7 on behalf of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The IFC’s inaugural release, Crowfoot was the first Indigenous-directed film to be made at the NFB.

Director: Willie Dunn
Genre: Documentary, Music
Runtime: 10 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Music: Willie Dunn
Production: ONF | NFB, Challenge for Change / Société Nouvelle
Country: Canada
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

indigenous, archive footage, music, mi'kmaq, colonial betrayal, scottish folk singer

More Films by Director: Willie Dunn
More Films in Genre: Documentary, Music

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Ballad of Crowfoot about?
Released in 1968 and often referred to as Canada’s first music video, The Ballad of Crowfoot was directed by Willie Dunn, a Mi’kmaq/Scottish folk singer and activist who was part of the historic Indian Film Crew, the first all-Indigenous production unit at the NFB. The film is a powerful look at colonial betrayals, told through a striking montage of archival images and a ballad composed by Dunn himself about the legendary 19th-century Siksika (Blackfoot) chief who negotiated Treaty 7 on behalf of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The IFC’s inaugural release, Crowfoot was the first Indigenous-directed film to be made at the NFB.
Who directed The Ballad of Crowfoot?
The Ballad of Crowfoot was directed by Willie Dunn.
How long is The Ballad of Crowfoot?
The Ballad of Crowfoot has a runtime of 10m (10 minutes).
What genre is The Ballad of Crowfoot?
The Ballad of Crowfoot is a Documentary, Music film.
Where was The Ballad of Crowfoot produced?
The Ballad of Crowfoot was produced in Canada.