KPU names Leena Minifie Indigenous Filmmaker in Residence, offering students hands-on guidance and insight into Indigenous storytelling and film.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Welcomes a New Indigenous Filmmaker
Surrey’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has a fresh face in its Faculty of Arts this spring: acclaimed Indigenous filmmaker Leena Minifie.
Throughout the 2026 spring semester, Minifie, a Gitxaala Nation and British storyteller, journalist, and producer, will engage with students, share her expertise, and guide the wider university community in exploring Indigenous perspectives in film. At the same time, she will continue working on her own projects, blending teaching with creative practice.
“I’m excited to connect with KPU — with students, faculty, and the conversations happening on campus. There’s so much energy and curiosity in young minds today,” Minifie said.
A Career Built on Storytelling and Impact
Minifie is not new to acclaim. She founded Stories First, a B.C.-based production company that amplifies Indigenous voices, and co-produced the Canadian documentary The Good Canadian. The film dives into the hidden corridors of systemic inequity, spanning from the Indian Act and residential schools to modern family separations. Since its fall premiere on APTN and CBC, it quickly became the third most-watched program on CBC Gem.
“This film is huge. It shows how this country came to be, how it still operates, and how non-Indigenous actors influence Indigenous lives. Stories like these rarely get told,” Minifie explained.
Tackling Misconceptions and Educating Through Film
Beyond storytelling, Minifie’s work is a counter to misinformation. She emphasizes that her film addresses harmful myths about residential schools and the denial of genocide.
“There’s a lot of false information out there claiming the abuse and deaths in residential schools never happened. My work directly challenges that narrative,” she said.
Students at KPU now have a unique opportunity to learn from Minifie firsthand, gaining insight into both filmmaking and the complex histories and voices she brings to the screen.
