I'tusto: to Rise Again

N I M P K I S H W I N D P R O D U C T I O N S I N C. Suite 107-2772 Spruce Street Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2R2 (604) 731-8044 fax (604) 731-8011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—May 2, 2000

I’TUSTO To Rise Again - Premiere Screening ~ Saturday, May 6th Alert Bay, BC 3:30 p.m. Bighouse Festival Premiere ~ Friday, May 19th Doxa Documentary Film Festival 7 p.m. Pacific Cinematheque, Vancouver, BC Broadcast Premiere ~ Saturday, May 27th Can West Global TV 7 p.m. ET/PT

In August of 1997, the 'Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay was devastated by an arsonist's fire that destroyed the community’s Bighouse, a place where traditional ceremonies have been held for generations. Award-winning Director/Producer Barb Cranmer and Producer Cari Green have made a powerful new documentary I’TUSTO To Rise Again about the series of events that have ultimately strengthened the unity of this Coastal First Nation. Director Barb Cranmer recalls how she felt when she was told the news about the arson. "The Bighouse has always been an important place for our people. I felt anger and disbelief. I just couldn’t understand how someone could do something so terrible.” Elder Lily Speck relates: “I’m 96 years old now and I have never witnessed anything so awful. As I stood at my window and watched the fire destroy our Bighouse, I wept.” I’TUSTO To Rise Again tells the story of the many people that have been affected by this tragedy, and the perseverance of the Kwakwaka'wakw people in continuing to practice their important culture and traditions. Rebuilding the Bighouse was an immediate necessity for the community. "Central to our life was the potlatch. We would gather in different villages and hold potlatches that shaped our lives. We recognize the important aspects of our lives, births, coming of age, marriages, deaths, family rights to songs, dances and names. This is all part of the society we belong to,” comments elder Daisy Joseph. As Vera Newman reflects, in the film, “I always feel that our old people took the house with them. I feel that we’ve been given another chance now. We have to make sure that we do it right with the rebuilding of this Bighouse, and respecting our traditions, because we believe that our ways are good ways! That’s what our grandmother taught us.” By recording the rebuilding of the Bighouse, and sharing the ceremonies, songs and dance that have marked this effort, I’TUSTO To Rise Again tells the inspiring story of a new beginning for all of the Kwakwaka'wakw people of Vancouver Island, B.C. I’TUSTO To Rise Again was produced with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund created by the government of Canada and the Canadian Cable Industry, Telefilm Canada: Equity Investment Program, CTF: Licence Fee Program, British Columbia Film, Can West Television Inc., CFCF 12, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Knowledge Network, Saskatchewan Communications Network, Rogers Telefund,the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC, and the ‘Namgis First Nation Council.. ~30~ For further information, please contact: Tina House, Publicist (604) 736-3321