Indigenous Film Programme
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INDIGENOUS FILM PROGRAMME 1 REEL CANADA Uniting our Nations through Film WHO WE ARE REEL CANADA is a charitable organization whose mission is to introduce new audiences to the power and diversity of Canadian film, and engage them in a conversation about identity and culture. Showcasing works by Indigenous filmmakers from Canada is an integral part of that mission. Our travelling film festival has reached nearly a million students — and it just keeps growing! WHAT WE DO LESSON PLANS AND Our work is delivered via three core programmes, each of which incorporates incredible work created by RESOURCES Indigenous filmmakers: With a track record of thousands of successful school screenings, we can give you effective tools Our Films in Our Schools: For more than 13 years, to get your colleagues and students excited about we have helped teachers and students across Canada your event, and work with you to create a festival organize over two thousand screenings of Canadian film. that will resonate with your community. Welcome to Canada: We introduce new Canadians We offer: to Canadian film and culture through festival events z Film-specific lesson plans for all feature-length designed specifically for English-language learners of all films in this programme ages. z Lesson plans for Indigenous and Native studies National Canadian Film Day (NCFD): An annual one- courses day event where Canadians from coast-to-coast-to- z Lesson plans about Canadian film and coast get together to watch a great Canadian film storytelling for grades 9 to 12 English and — across all major platforms, online, and in theatres. media courses z Games, quizzes and other resources to help teachers bring this important part of our culture to their students Email [email protected] or call 1-855-733-5709 to start planning a festival or to access our resources. 1 Uniting our Nations through Film WHAT IS THE INDIGENOUS FILM PROGRAMME? • A selection of Indigenous-made films by filmmakers from diverse Nations across Canada including Abenaki, Anishinaabe, Cree, Dene, Gwich’in, Inuit, Métis, Mi’kmaq, Heilsuk, and Mohawk • We bring these films to students in grades 9-12 for either in-class viewing, or for larger screenings in front of multiple classrooms or an entire school • Films featured in the Indigenous Film Programme include something for everyone with documentaries, comedies, dramas, animation and experimental works to choose from • Everything we offer is absolutely FREE OF CHARGE Benefits For Non-Indigenous Students WHY AN INDIGENOUS FILM Presenting Indigenous films in schools helps dispel myths and stereotypes by providing a more inclusive history of PROGRAMME? Canada, and also promotes better understanding and sensitivity to contemporary Indigenous experiences. Indigenous stories on film have often been told by non-Indigenous filmmakers, sometimes even with non- “I may not be Indigenous but I now understand Indigenous actors portraying Indigenous characters. that I have a role to play in changing how we as a This has resulted in a stifling of Indigenous voice and collective society view Canada’s history.” has contributed to stereotypical misrepresentations — Grade 11 student, Golden SS, Golden B.C. of Indigenous people in film and television. The presentation of films made by Indigenous artists in Benefits For Mixed Audiences schools provides opportunities for dialogue, education Movies from the Indigenous Film Programme can be and cultural exchange. both a mirror and a window as they reflect Indigenous experiences while also providing an opening for Benefits For Indigenous Students cross-cultural exchange and greater understanding. Research shows — and our audiences confirm — Presentation of Indigenous films can help your school that seeing oneself on film can be a profound and address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s transformative experience. When Indigenous stories are imperative to explore “Aboriginal peoples’ historical told by Indigenous filmmakers, the result is authentic, and contemporary contributions to Canada” (Truth and self-determined cultural expression. When First Nation, Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, Inuit and Métis students witness a true reflection of Section 62.i). their lives and experiences, the effect is empowering and “Education is the key to reconciliation, but only inspirational. a true and complete experience in education can “Watching a film about native women makes me pave the path to relationships built on mutual happy because I could relate to the things they said, respect and peaceful co-existence.” did and thought.” — National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, — Grade 12 student, W.F. Herman SS, Windsor, ON University of Manitoba 2 INTRODUCTION FROM ARIEL SMITH tānsi! I am thrilled and privileged to join the REEL CANADA team as Manager of the Indigenous Film Programme. REEL CANADA has a national focus and reach. However, I want to recognize and honour the fact that we operate in Toronto, Ontario, on the territory and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, which is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat, and is subject to the Dish with Ariel Smith (nēhiyaw) Manager of the One Spoon Covenant. We are grateful to be on this land. Indigenous Film Programme, REEL CANADA Within commercial film and television production in Canada, Indigenous peoples have long been underrepresented as makers and misrepresented as subjects. REEL CANADA recognizes this fact and we are passionately dedicated to ensuring that Indigenous films are integrated and included throughout all of our core programmes. We achieve this by building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous filmmakers, programmers and partner organizations that are based on respect and reciprocity. I would like to wholeheartedly thank our partner organizations and all of the members of our Indigenous Film Programme Advisory Committee for their dedication, commitment and wisdom. REEL CANADA recognizes the importance of the calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), particularly those specific to education, art and Jack Blum, Executive Director media. The TRC calls for intercultural understanding and mutual respect. We seek Sharon Corder, Artistic Director to answer this call, using film to spark dialogue, build bridges and expand empathy REEL CANADA amongst young learners. The Indigenous Film Programme is a valuable resource for educators, students and community members across the country. We believe that Indigenous-made content must be seamlessly integrated into all of INDIGENOUS FILM PROGRAMME ADVISORY COMMITTEE our programmes; however, there is also great value in highlighting Indigenous films, Tantoo Cardinal specifically through focused initiatives such as the Indigenous Film Programme. This programme and its accompanying catalogue serve as an opportunity to spotlight Danis Goulet and celebrate the wealth of incredible work being made by Indigenous filmmakers in Ronnie Dean Harris Canada today. Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs Jennifer Podemski I greatly look forward to helping you bring this exciting initiative into your school, Dr. Duke Redbird and warmly invite you to join us as we celebrate and honour Indigenous voices in the classroom. Jason Ryle Amanda Strong Kinanâskomitin, Janelle Wookey Ariel Smith (nēhiyaw) Manager of the Indigenous Film Programme, REEL CANADA REGISTERED CHARITABLE # 8508 92 36 5 RR0001 [email protected] • www.reelcanada.ca • 720 Bathurst Street, Suite 504, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R4 • 416-642-5796 • 1-855-733-5709 • Fax: 647-557-2111 3 THEWe are committed to celebrating FILMS the work of Indigenous filmmakers and believe in the importance of Indigenous stories being told by Indigenous peoples on their own terms. We consider a film to be Indigenous made if an Indigenous director, writer or producer is involved.* Please note: Our use of the term Indigenous is inclusive of Métis, Inuit and both Status and Non-Status First Nations peoples. LEGEND Denotes films that are appropriate for English- ESL language learners. GRADES 11–12 Denotes films that contain mature subject matter. Denotes films that were produced by the National Film Board of Canada. NOTES ON FILM RATINGS Our catalogue lists the Ontario Film Review Board’s ratings for each film. To check the rating of a particular film in other provinces and territories, please consult the film’s page on our website, reelcanada.ca/films. The rating “NR” denotes a film that has never received theatrical distribution and was therefore never rated by any provincial government film ratings agencies. *The Indigenous Film Programme includes only films made by Indigenous people. The larger REEL CANADA catalogue also includes the films Indian Horse, Maïna, The Snow Walker and The Whale, all of which were made by non-Indigenous artists but focus on Indigenous subjects or stories. Although not made by Indigenous filmmakers, these works have been screened by Indigenous educators who have deemed them to be valuable learning resources. Go to reelcanada.ca/films to explore these and many other great Canadian films. 4 FEATURE FILMS ANGRY INUK (2016) Director/Writer: Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk). Producers: Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Bonnie Thompson. 85 min. PG We all know about the terrible “brutality” of the arctic seal hunt — or do we? Turns out there’s more to this story: families that need to be fed, a hunting practice that began centuries ago and a tradition central to the economy and food security of Inuit communities in the Canadian Arctic. Angry Inuk is a story that’s over 4,000 years old. The seal hunt is not exactly a laughing matter, but humour and technical savvy go a long way to debunk certain claims. Wryly tackling both misinformation and aggressive appeals to emotion, Inuk filmmaker ALETHEA ARNAQUQ-BARIL Arnaquq-Baril equips herself and her community with the powers of Arnaquq-Baril is an award-winning Inuk social media — and yes, #sealfies — to reframe a controversial topic as filmmaker whose work has screened on CBC a cultural issue in this 2016 Audience Award-winning Hot Docs hit. and APTN, and at festivals like Hot Docs and imagineNATIVE.