Cementing Native and Indigenous Voices at the Forefront of the Entertainment Industry™
Held annually each November during the RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF), the RNCI Red Nation Honor Awards is a landmark event in American Indian and Indigenous media. Broadcast live on Red Nation Television Network, this prestigious ceremony recognizes outstanding contributions across film, television, comedy, music, and the arts.
These awards are the only honors in the entertainment industry named after legendary allies and advocates of Native representation.
Each award is endorsed by family members of the namesakes, making this recognition deeply meaningful and historically rooted.
These awards are the only honors in the entertainment industry named after legendary allies and advocates of Native representation.
Each award is endorsed by family members of the namesakes, making this recognition deeply meaningful and historically rooted.
The RNCI Red Nation Honor Awards are more than a ceremony — they are a celebration of the creators, changemakers,
and truth-tellers reshaping media through an Indigenous lens.
Every year, we elevate voices who have pushed boundaries, challenged narratives,
and expanded the cultural imagination through authentic Native and Indigenous storytelling.
History: Red Nation Celebration Institute has been honoring individuals and organizations, since 1995. The Honor Award came first. In 2003, RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival created the RNCI Red Nation Award highlighting the very best American Indian & Indigenous contributions in film, television, comedy, music and the arts. All nominees and winners were announced online. In 2009, The Statuette was presented in Santa Fe NM during Indian Market week during RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival ‘ON THE ROAD’ and is now presented each November at RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival.
Elevating Native and Indigenous Voices Through Storytelling
Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) is the largest Native & Indigenous Film Festival in the U.S. and worldwide!
The first of its kind in Los Angeles.
