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Home / Origins (Episode 1): 1491 - The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus

Origins (Episode 1): 1491 - The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus

Maple Leaf This item is only available for Canadian orders.
This title is a part of the series 1491: The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus


Catalogue Number:  149101
Producer:  1491 Productions Inc.
Producing Agencies:  1491 Productions Inc.
Subject:  Anthropology, Archaeology, Canadian Social Studies, Canadian World Studies, Documentary, First Nations Studies, History, Indigenous Issues, Indigenous Peoples, Science
Language:  English
Grade Level:  9 - 12, Post Secondary, Adult
Country Of Origin:  Canada
Copyright Year:  2018
Running Time:  44:41
Closed Captions:  Yes


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Indigenous creation stories will be explored as well as key discoveries by archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists and linguists on how and when Indigenous people first arrived in the Western Hemisphere.

Program One contains the following chapters:

  • Origin Stories
  • Ocean Arrival
  • Clovis Tools
  • Indigenous Languages
  • Population
  • Indigenous Archaeology
  • Genetics

2018 Leo Award - Best Music Composition in a Documentary Series (Russell Wallace)

2018 Leo Award - Best Screenwriting in a Documentary Series (Barbara Hager) 

2018 Leo Award - Best Documentary Series (Producers Barbara Hager, Pat Ferns, Desiree Single and Vanessa Loewen)



"Right from the get-go, narrator Adams sets the tone, stating Indigenous peoples and their ancestors are not only responsible for discovering new lands themselves, but established trade routes across two continents, created stunning artwork, mapped the land and the stars, became architects, scientists inventors and philosophers." - Greg David, TV, Eh?

"The first episode of '1491' is an incredible introduction to what is sure to be the most-watched series of the year...will become an important and integral learning resource for all North American educational organizations and the public at large, Congratulations on an incredibly informing, engaging, educational, enlightening and validating series!" - Lou-ann Neel, Kwakwaka'wakw artist, writer, arts administrator and advocate of authenticity in Indigenous art.

“The series is produced, directed and written by Indigenous Canadians and features an Indigenous cast of actors and cultural leaders who provide context. Bolstered by input from historians, archeologists, cultural experts and scholars, most of whom have Indigenous ancestry, the series dispels long-held theories - for instance, that before contact with Europeans, Indigenous peoples were largely nomadic, and not as advanced as other civilizations at the time.” - Times Colonist


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