The Pathways to Healing Through Film program makes a significant and lasting impact, as we organize tours of major films that address issues of vital importance to Indigenous communities and to Canada, such as the intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools, and the high suicide rates amongst youth.
The tours provide a means to facilitate meaningful conversations through community gatherings. These tours have reached thousands of individuals, in over 125 predominantly fly-in communities across the country and in the farthest reaches of the North. When we first launched the initiative with the pre-cinematic screening of Indian Horse, most survivors shared their stories openly for the first time. When we toured The Grizzlies film, many communities especially in Nunavut and Nunavik, had never openly discussed suicide and mental wellness.
For countless individuals, from young people to elder and leaders, who have grappled with the pain and suffering in their homes and communities throughout their lives, these conversations have provided clarity and understanding, allowing for a collective path toward healing.
The Bones of Crows film and five-part mini-series (CBC/SRC/APTN), tells the story of Cree matriarch Aline Spears as she survives a childhood in Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. This film has been essential to advancing reconciliation, as Canadians need to understand the harsh realities that survivors have faced – the weight of which they and their communities continue to bear today. Within the communities, the film allowed audiences to better understand and recognize the ongoing impacts of generational trauma.
“Bones of Crows brought our students into very real and visceral conversations with our support staff about their lived experiences, their parents’ lived experiences, their grandparents’ lived experiences, their great grandparents’… In other words, the movie has provided us with an avenue to talk about generational trauma in a very real way rather than some esoteric concept that students don’t connect with. Thank you for giving that to us.” – Jeremy Janz, principle at Pacific Coastal High School, B.C.
Based on a novel by late Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese, Indian Horse tells the poignant story of Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibwe boy taken from his family and placed in a residential school, where he endures assimilation and abuse. Through hockey, Saul finds a way to cope and excel, but he must confront racism and personal loss on his journey toward healing and reclaiming his identity. We established a collaboration with Screen Siren Pictures to organize a tour of this important film to 40 communities ahead of its cinematic release. Such an endeavour had never before been realized, and its impact is enduring as the resulting community conversations have continued to pave the way for much-needed healing.
The story told in this film closely resembles the life of our late, dear friend and former board advisor Fred Sasakamoose, who was the first Indigenous NHL player, recipient of the Order of Canada and author of Call Me Indian: From the Culture of Danger to the Sports Hall of Fame. Fred attended many events with us during the tour but was unable to sit through the film because of the painful memories it brought. Then, we screened the film in his home community of Ahtahkakoop First Nation, where we witnessed a powerful moment in his life and his community’s.
Fred said, “I want the youth to heal, I am so worried about them. But the youth won’t heal unless I and the other elders are willing to stand up and talk about what happened. And if we don’t do this, then the youth will not understand why our people are so broken.” Bravely, Fred sat through the screening, with tears streaming down his face. After the screening, he gathered his strength to speak, which then gave other elders the courage to do the same.
R.I.P. Fred, your legacy and your kindness will always be remembered.
The Grizzlies is based on the true story of Inuit students in a small Arctic town who, facing deep personal struggles, find hope and purpose through lacrosse. With the guidance of a dedicated teacher, they form a team that fosters community, resilience, and pride as they pursue success both on and off the field.
Together with Northwood Media and Mongrel Media Inc., we believed it was imperative that Indigenous youth see this uplifting story in a community setting, to collectively reflect upon a reality that is uniquely theirs and to talk about the importance of mental health.
Without fail, community members came forward to talk about their struggles. Many said things like, “you came at the right time tonight; I really needed this”. Beyond the direct impact of the movie and presentations by the artists, the Northern Tour itself and the presence of community leadership at the screenings conveyed to the youth that they are important and not forgotten, and that the world will be a better place for their active contribution.
Shortly after the tour, lead actress Emerald MacDonald, with whom we had travelled the country and developed a close friendship, was murdered in her home community. Her senseless and unresolved death remind us to stand as allies in the call to improve safety, support and justice for Indigenous women and girls.
R.I.P. Emerald, your smile and warmth are forever etched in our hearts.
In 2020, we organized the Red Snow Northern Tour, to promote cross-cultural learning through a powerful film that tells the story of an Gwich’in soldier in Afghanistan who is rescued by a Pashtun family. During this Tour, community members in Inuvik (NWT), Whitehorse (Yukon), Dawson City (Yukon) and Old Crow (Yukon) met with actors Mozhdah Jamalzadah (the “Oprah” of Afghanistan) and Shafin Karim (Bionic Woman, Tron 2); together, they discussed issues common to both cultures.
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