duPont Columbia Award
"Bad Sugar" (Episode)
Documentary Series
Producer/Director

Turtle Island Productin's owner and filmmaker James Fortier has won numerous awards over the years for his work as a writer, producer, director, director of photography and lighting director. His most recent award was the duPont Columbia Award for Excellence in Journalism for his contribution as producer/direcror of the episode "Bad Sugar," part of the national PBS health series "Unnatural Causes: Is Society making Us Sick?" Press Release

           Telly Award
"Gathering Together" 
Documentary
Producer/Director

Turtle Island Production's owner & filmmaker James Fortier recently received a Telly Award for his documentary "Gathering Together." The documentary was produced in association with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe in Auburn, WA. As a follow-up to his 2004 documentary for the tribe ("Pulling Together"), the film chronicle's the Muckleshoot's first hosting of the annual tribal canoe journey, whereby tribes from as far away as Alaska take part in the cultural revitalization of their canoe traditions, culminating in a traditional Potlatch sponsored by the host tribe. This was the first traditional Potlatch at Muckleshoot in over 100 years. Press Release

             Emmy Award
"Alcatraz Is Not an Island"
Directing
Co-Writer/Director

Filmmaker James M. Fortier picks up his third Emmy Award. The Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences selected James for his directing of the PBS documentary "Alcatraz Is Not an Island," at the 32nd Annual Norcal Emmy Awards showheld on May 17, 2003 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The original 72 minute version premiered at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, followed by selection to the Sundance Film Festival in 2001, and a Land Grant Finalist at the Taos talking Picture Festival in 2001.  Press Release

          Emmy Award
"Waasa-Inaabidaa: We Look In All Directions"
Ojibwemowin "Ojibwe Oral Tradition"
Documentary
Writer/Associate Producer

This six hour PBS Ojibwe documentary series earned 11 Midwest Regional Emmy eleven nominations, and received five Emmy Awards, including two Best Documentary winners. Press Release

            Emmy Award
"Waasa-Inaabidaa: We Look In All Directions" Bimiaadiziwin "A Healthy Way of Life"
Documentary
Writer/Associate Producer

This six hour Ojibwe documentary series earned 11 Midwest Regional Emmy eleven nominations, and received five Emmy Awards, including two Best Documentary winners. Press Release

American Indian Film Festival
"Alcatraz Is Not An Island"
Documentary Feature
Co-Writer/Director

The original 72 minute version premiered at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, followed by selection to the Sundance Film Festival in 2001, and a Land Grant Finalist at the Taos talking Picture Festival in 2001. Press Release

American Indian Film Festival
"Waasa-Inaabidaa: We Look In All Directions"
Ojibwemowin "Ojibwe Oral Tradition"
Documentary Feature
Writer/Associate Producer

Honored October 8th, 2002 at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, receiving the Best Documentary Feature Award for Ojibwemown: Ojibwe Oral Tradition, the 6th episode of  the PBS six-part documentary series, "Waasa Inaabidaa: We Look In All Directions," which chronicles the history of the 19 bands of Anishinaabe/Ojibwe  of the Great Lakes region. The series was also honored with a special Producers Award for Best Series. Press Relase

   Indian Summer Festival
          Image Awards
"Alcatraz Is Not An Island"
Documentary Feature
Co-Writer/Director

Métis-Ojibway filmmaker James Fortier was honored by Native American peers for his documentary chronicling the 1969 American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island. As part of 2003's annual Indian Summer Festival held in Milwaukee from September 5-7, organizers added a Native American Film Festival featuring the works of American Indian and Canadian First Nations filmmakers. Among those whose work screened was James M. Fortier (Métis-Ojibway), whose directoral debut film, "Alcatraz Is Not An Island," was been selected best documentary feature and received an Indian Summer - Delta Vision Image Award. Press Release

    Indian Summer Festival
          Image Awards
"Pulling Together"
Documentary Feature
Writer/Producer/Director

Pulling Together chronicles the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s canoe “family” as they embark on Tribal Journey 2003, the annual gathering of Pacific Northwest tribes reviving their ancient canoe cultures through unity, healing, and pride. Award winning filmmaker James M. Fortier (Métis-Ojibway) eats, sleeps, and pulls with the Muckleshoot tribe on a 14-day odyssey starting with the Makah Nation at Neah Bay on a journey of discovery, traditional song and dance, feasts, and lessons learned along the way.  Fortier gained nearly unlimited access and shot over 64 hours of cinema verité style footage as the action, twists and turns, let downs and successes played out in front of the camera. The resulting film goes beyond capturing the beauty and power of the Puget Sound waters and the physical challenges facing the young Muckleshoot canoe family members. What emerges is a story of hope and faith in a new generation of young tribal people. Press Release