Film Production Guide for Native Stories and Locations

Four Sisters Farmers Market / Credit: Jaida Grey Eagle, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

This information is intended to guide filmmakers and productions in their work with Tribal governments and Native peoples in and around Minnesota. Your role in developing these stories can help improve the understanding and education about Native people.

We are all responsible for how Native stories are represented in film and television today. This guide will provide background information and practical tips to follow when engaging with Tribal Nations and representing Native culture. As of 2026, there are 575 federally recognized Tribes with over 100 state-recognized Tribes in the U.S; Eleven (11) federally recognized Tribes that share geography with Minnesota.

With input from the Native Nations that share geography with Minnesota and with knowledge gained from IllumiNative, this guide aims to help uplift the true Native culture, experiences, stories, and places.

Minnesota Tribal Websites

To learn more about the Tribal Nations that share geography with Minnesota view their respective webpages below. For specific inquiries, please email [email protected].