Acclaimed actress Tantoo Cardinal, known for her roles in Dances With Wolves and Killers of the Flower Moon, has been confirmed as the narrator of a new documentary series titled Animal Nation. The series will explore wildlife through the perspectives of Indigenous communities across North America.
The project marks another significant collaboration between Cardinal and Indigenous storytellers, aligning closely with her long-standing advocacy for authentic representation in film and television.
A Nature Series Rooted in Indigenous Knowledge
Animal Nation is a seven-part documentary series created in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States. Each episode focuses on one keystone species that holds ecological and cultural importance: Bear, Beaver, Bison, Caribou, Eagle, Salmon, and Wolf.
Rather than following a traditional wildlife documentary format, the series frames each animal’s story through Indigenous knowledge systems, emphasizing the deep relationships between people, land, and wildlife that have developed over generations.
The series was filmed over two years and features sweeping landscapes and detailed wildlife cinematography from remote regions across North America.
Where and When to Watch
The docuseries will premiere on January 8 on APTN, Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Television Network. It will air in English and stream on APTN+, with French and Mohawk-language versions scheduled to follow at a later date.
A Creative Team Led by Indigenous Voices
Animal Nation was created by Ojibway producer Jesse Bochner and producer Ari A. Cohen, with a creative team composed largely of Indigenous writers, directors, editors, and composers. Cardinal herself is part of that Indigenous-led creative leadership.
The series was filmed in diverse locations, including:
Caribou ranges near Yellowknife
The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary in British Columbia
Salmon rivers in Labrador
Bison herds across Alberta and Montana
Eagle territories in Prince Edward Island and Sts’ailes
Tantoo Cardinal on Telling These Stories
Cardinal, a veteran Cree and Métis actress also known for Legends of the Fall and Wind River, said narrating the series felt deeply personal.
“I consider it a victory that these stories are being told,” she said. “Growing up, I had a real relationship with the wind and the birds and the environment. It’s in my blood to speak for the animals and the relationship we all have with the world around us.”
A Different Approach to Wildlife Storytelling
Director and co-creator Jesse Bochner described the project as both humbling and transformative, noting the privilege of working closely with communities and ecosystems.
Producer and director of photography Ari A. Cohen added that the series challenges conventions of wildlife filmmaking by centering Indigenous knowledge often overlooked in the genre.
“Wildlife films frequently ignore local and Indigenous perspectives,” Cohen said. “That knowledge is essential to understanding our future.”
Production and Funding
Animal Nation is produced in association with APTN, with financial support from the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Series Fund, and Canadian film and television tax credit programs.
As global audiences increasingly seek meaningful environmental storytelling, Animal Nation positions itself as a rare documentary series that blends ecological insight with cultural truth.
