When the federal government administered Indian programs, tribes had no say in their social, political and economic future. They were simply handed a contract by the beauracracy and told what to do.

But this changed profoundly with the birth of self-governance, which empowered Indian nations to function as government. The U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Self-Governance wanted to shout out the great success of tribal sovereignty so it was heard across Indian Country.

We hit the message home by creating a historic film that expressed the powerful vision of self-governance. Our unique narrative, voiced through prominent tribal leaders, showed how tribes stepped into the role of government and set a course to an inspiring future.