Because I grew up next to a Navajo indian tribe reservation and because I had a Hawaiian roommate while in the military, I am inclined to like a movie like Whale Rider. Paikea is the 11 year old granddaughter of the chief of the Maori tribe. Paikea's father has no intention, whatsoever, in being chief of the tribe, so Paikea's grandfather goes about trying to select a boy to one day being chief because no female has ever been chief. Therein lies the conflict because Paikea feels that she should be chief of the tribe.
This is a stunningly beautiful movie that pays respect to tradition. This is also a "family night" movie that easily could have been a Disney movie if Disney had not gone woke. I strongly recommend this movie if you like family movies, or if you're a fan of indie movies.