The Allies' secret weapon? A Cree farmer from Alberta who spoke the unbreakable code.
CREE CODE TALKER reveals the role of Canadian Cree code talker Charles 'Checker' Tomkins during the Second World War. Digging deep into the US archives it depicts the true story of Charles' involvement with the US Air Force and the development of the code talkers communication system, which was used to transmit crucial military communications, using the Cree language as a vital secret weapon in combat.
Direction
Lazarowich lets silence and family grief speak volumes.
Production
Declassified archives woven with oral history — rare documentary alchemy.
Director
Alexandra Lazarowich
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Charles Tomkins was one of at least 17 Cree code talkers, though most took their secrets to their graves.
The documentary emerged from a 2016 NFB initiative centering Indigenous filmmakers telling their own suppressed histories.
US
CA
