Film Consultation
& Cultural Protocols

We are developing the Métis Film Institute’s capacity to support productions working with Red River Métis stories, histories, characters and cultural knowledge.

Our goal is to help filmmakers build meaningful relationships with the people whose stories they tell, while supporting the community engagement, cultural protocols and responsible storytelling expected by screen-industry funders.

This proposed work includes:

• Connecting productions with appropriate Red River Métis filmmakers, historians, language speakers, cultural advisors and Knowledge Keepers.
• Supporting script research and review for historical accuracy, cultural context and contemporary representation.
• Helping develop community engagement plans, including appropriate consultation, compensation, permissions and documentation.
• Encouraging meaningful Red River Métis participation in creative decisions, employment and ownership.

Connecting with industry requirements

The Indigenous Screen Office’s On-Screen Protocols & Pathways emphasizes early collaboration, sustained relationships and accountability to Indigenous communities. Its Production Program for All requests a Community Engagement Plan where applicable and recognizes costs for cultural advisors, community liaisons and engagement work.

Telefilm Canada’s Development Program requires a Community Engagement Plan demonstrating thoughtful engagement with affected communities. The Canada Media Fund’s Narrative Positioning Policy also requires applicants to demonstrate that they are appropriately positioned to tell the stories they propose.

We aim to develop a Red River Métis-led consultation framework that can help productions address these expectations through practical, documented collaboration.

The framework will be shaped through community consultation and dialogue with relevant governments, cultural authorities and industry partners. Project-specific permissions and community relationships remain essential, and funding decisions remain with the respective funders.

Film credits and acknowledgement

We plan to develop guidelines allowing productions that have worked with the Métis Film Institute to acknowledge that collaboration by displaying our logo in their end credits. Logo use would require prior written permission, with wording that accurately reflects the Institute’s contribution, such as cultural consultation or research support.