For Mitchell , who would go on to become a long-serving Grand Chief of Akwesasne , the experience of making '' You Are on Indian Land '' blurred the lines between filmmaking and politics : In 2016 , an encounter between Ransen and NFB English Program Executive Director Michelle van Beusekom at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival led to series of discussions that would see the NFB officially recredit the film with Mitchell as director , in accordance with Ransen 's longtime wishes . Additionally , Indian Film Crew member Noel Starblanket would be added as assistant editor for his work alongside editor Kathleen Shannon , the future founder of Studio D. Regarding the crediting issue , Mitchell said : Afterward , Mitchell worked with the NFB for several more years before leaving filmmaking . He was elected to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in 1982 . Two years later , he was first elected as its Grand Chief — an office he would repeatedly hold , beginning in 1984 until his most recent reelection in 2012
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
You Are on Indian Land