Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) is proud to present looping screenings of istén:’a, directed by Kanien’kehá:ka mixed-settler filmmaker KJ Edwards, Sibi, directed by documentary filmmaker Mike Mckay and narrated in collaboration with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg community by former Chief Gilbert W. Whiteduck, There and Back, directed by Indigenous filmmaker and photographer Benson Jolly Saganash, and There is no word, directed by Mi’kmaw/Irish visual artist Carmel A. Whittle and narrated by Anishnaabemowin language keeper Grandmother Louise Garrow from Sagamok First Nations in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day devoted to recognizing the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities who have cared for and continue to care for the land on which we live, work, and create. The looping screening will occur in the DARC Microcinema at 2 Daly Street on September 30th from 10AM to 5PM.
THE FILMS
istén:’a by Kanien’kehá:ka mixed-settler interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker KJ Edwards is a short film that recounts a visit from her mother in spirit. This film looks to dreamspace as a meeting place, where it is possible to connect with our loved ones who we are always tethered to. As a part of her larger practice that is connection driven, Edwards looks at the links between materiality and memory, as well as dreams and inter-world communication, by centering plant and animal life, land, and family in her work.
There is no word is a short film directed by Carmel A. Whittle, a Mi’kmaw/Irish educator, art facilitator and curator, visual artist, songwriter, and independent filmmaker, in collaboration with narrator Grandmother Louise Garrow, an Anishnaabemowin language keeper from Sagamok First Nations. Doing the right thing requires that we care for, nurture, and heal every element of our environments: the air, waters, rocks, plants, trees and creatures, big and small. In this film, Garrow teaches the Seven Grandfather Teachings from her traditional Ojibway, Algonquin Anishinaabe territory as a profound way of bringing this understanding into our lives – only truly thriving as the environment thrives.
Sibi, directed by documentary filmmaker Mike McKay was made in collaboration with the former elected Chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community Gilbert W. Whiteduck, who served from June 2008 to April 2015. This short documentary is a poetic exploration of the river where water is not a resource, but a living relative. Moving between flowing river imagery, cosmic creation stories, and reflections from Anishinaabe knowledge keepers, the film reveals water as a carrier of memory and a witness to generations of change.
There and Back, directed by Indigenous filmmaker Benson Jolly Saganash goes through the unfortunate events of a residential school survivor. The short film follows the experiences of Allan Saganash’s stages of life in order to truly understand how difficult his situation has been and the ways he has learned to heal throughout his journey.
THE FILMmakers
CONTINUED RECONCILIATION EFFORTS
This screening is one of many steps DARC is taking towards reconciliation and recognition of the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous groups. Start your National Day for Truth and Reconciliation learning journey with The Indigenous Foundation and the Government of Canada.