Nimiipuu Health Documentary Shares Powerful Story of Dementia and Family
A new documentary from Nimiipuu Health tells a moving story about family, memory, and cultural strength. The film, “Missing Pieces,” follows the journey of community member Colleen Lupe and her family as they navigate dementia together. Created by Nimiipuu Health in partnership with the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho, the documentary builds understanding and awareness of dementia in a personal and meaningful way.
With support from an IHS Alzheimer’s grant, Nimiipuu Health developed the film to help people learn more about dementia and inspire those living with the disease as well as the caregivers who stand beside them. Jessica Ford, a memory care coordinator with the Tribe, said she hopes the film will comfort and educate others.
“I am a Spokane Tribal Member, and it’s rare to see documentaries with American Indian and Alaska Native people,” she shared. “We wanted something our community could connect with—something that reflects our culture and our people.”
The film focuses on Colleen, a well-known and loved member of the community. Her daughters, Jeanette Jackson and Alexis Polk, speak openly about their experiences caring for their mother.
Since its release, Nimiipuu Health has shared the documentary with other tribes and dementia programs across the country. Locally, it has been shown at elder gatherings and community events, where many people say it mirrors their own experiences. Viewers often describe feeling emotional after watching the film, both in remembrance of Colleen and in gaining a deeper understanding of what she and her family went through.
Jessica and her team have also created 11 short dementia awareness clips from the film, hosted seven community screenings, staffed educational booths at events, and sent press releases to promote awareness. They have submitted the documentary to national film festivals and received multiple requests to view it from tribes and organizations.
“Dementia awareness is still new in our community, but education is helping people recognize the signs in loved ones,” Jessica said. “Filming a documentary about Colleen, a community member many knew and cared about, made the message even more powerful and personal.”
Watch Colleen’s story and see how it is touching hearts across the country. Nimiipuu Health will also appear in a new IHS Alzheimer’s Program video in 2026 focused on the importance of timely detection, featuring Colleen’s family and her care team.
Pictured: A screen shot from the film that tells the story of Colleen Lupe, a well-known and loved member of the Nimiipuu community and her dementia journey with her family.
Pictured: A behind the scenes shot during the filming of “Missing Pieces,” a 2025 documentary on dementia from a family’s perspective from Nimiipuu Health serving the Nez Perce Tribe.
Caring for patients with memory loss can be challenging, especially in tribal settings where resources might be limited. The 
In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is recognizing caregivers who bring strength, love, and patience to those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 