binesikwe means

filmmaker / journalist

filmmaker / journalist

BIOGRAPHY

Binesikwe (Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge, South Dakota) is a passionate storyteller, filmmaker, and cultural advocate whose name, Binesikwe, means “Thunderbird Woman” in Ojibwe and is pronounced “Bin-e-ci-kway.” Born in 1987, she grew up deeply connected to her roots and driven by a desire to share the lived experiences, challenges, and resilience of Indigenous communities through film and media.

Since a young age, Binesikwe has used storytelling as a powerful means to reclaim narrative and uplift Native voices. In 2006, she directed and edited Red Warriors: The Women of A.I.M., a short documentary that profiles the often-overlooked women of the American Indian Movement and their role in shaping Indigenous resistance. That same year, she also acted in A Cry for Help, a short film created with the Fox American Indian Summer Institute that brought attention to the alarming suicide rates in Indian Country.

In 2008, her voice as a director and writer continued to evolve. She directed and edited The Relocation Act of 1956, a film exploring the impact of federal relocation policies on Native communities. She also directed and wrote The Big Game, a short narrative project developed in collaboration with the Fox American Indian Summer Institute. These early works reflect her commitment to educational and culturally grounded storytelling.

Binesikwe describes her artistic style as educational and innovative, motivated by a calling to “give voice to the voiceless.” Her work is rooted in the importance of truth-telling, healing, and preserving Indigenous histories through a contemporary lens. By documenting both personal and collective struggles, she ensures that the stories of her people are seen, heard, and honored.

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