The Necessities of Life (French: Ce qu’il faut pour vivre; Inuktitut: Inuujjutiksaq)
A 2008 film directed by Benoît Pilon. (French Language)
The film uses the 1950s-era tuberculosis epidemic in the Far North as its starting point. The spread of the disease forced many Inuit to go to various Canadian cities for treatment. Tiivii (Natar Ungalaaq; Atanarjuat: the Fast Runner) is taken to a sanatorium in Quebec City, from Baffin Island July 1952. Uprooted, far from his loved ones and faced with a completely alien world, he finds himself unable to communicate with anyone.
When his nurse, Carole (Éveline Gélinas) realizes that Tiivii’s illness is not the most serious threat to his well-being, she arranges to have a young orphan, Kaki (Paul-André Brasseur), transferred to the institution. The boy is also sick, but has experience of both worlds and speaks both languages. By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others, Tiivii rediscovers his pride and energy.
Although this is a story that contains hopelessness, terror, confusion and desperation, it is also extraordinarily warm, humorous and beautiful.
The Grizzlies
A 2018 film directed by Miranda de Pencier
In a small town in the Arctic, lacrosse transforms the lives of Inuit students when they learn how to play the game.
A compelling story, with some very difficult moments, including more than one suicide, domestic abuse, and substance abuse, critical to a depiction of the realities of life in communities such as this and the legacies of trauma. But ultimately it is inspiring and hopeful.
CBC’s 8th Fire TV Series
Aboriginal Peoples, Canada and the Way Forward
A great website with documentaries, video clips, radio programs, interviews, maps, reading lists and more. I’m only beginning to explore, but it seems like a huge resource.
Signal Fire -30 minute Documentary and Paper
In 2020, a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars wrote a paper outlining 10 calls to action for natural scientists. The paper was founded in frustration, friendship and hope. The calls are meant to help researchers move toward reconciliation.
The companion documentary, Signal Fire, and resources provided on this website are an offering — and a call to action — for research scientists, institutions, funders and journal publications to work towards improving how we all conduct, communicate and benefit from science research.
Like a signal fire, it is a call to action — and also a beacon to show the way.
APTN (Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network)
APTN offers a variety of programming related to Aboriginal peoples, including documentaries, news magazines, dramas, entertainment specials, children’s series, movies, sports events, educational programs and more. APTN’s network programming is c. 56% English, 16% French, and 28% Aboriginal languages.
Although much of the programming is pretty low budget, there is some really interesting content.
Indigenous Cinema, The National Film Board
This is an extensive online library of over 200 films by Indigenous directors — part of a three-year Indigenous Action Plan to “redefine” the NFB’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.
A useful CBC article offers five picks to get you started.
Indigenous Stories, CBC Gem
This is a great collection of shows, movies, and documentaries featuring the stories, history, and originality of Indigenous Peoples, including:
Bones of Crows – 2023 Mini-series directed by Marie Clements
An epic story of resilience in the face of the traumas of Canada’s residential school system and the systemic oppression experienced by Indigenous people. It is at times very difficult to watch, but it is beautifully made and provides real insights into the ways in which multi-generation trauma has impacted so many.
Falls Around Her – 2018 film directed by Darlene Naponse
A world-famous Anishinaabe musician returns to the reserve to rest and refresh herself but finds that her fame and the outside world intrude.
I adore Tantoo Cardinal, who takes the lead role. This is a quiet, slow movie, but powerful. The cinematography is stunning and, as an Ontario incomer still awed by its landscapes, it resonated deeply with me.
Indian Horse – 2017 film directed by Stephen Campanelli
Richard Wagamese, who wrote the book on which the movie is based, is one of my favourite writers. Another very powerful and important film that reflects the impact of the Residential School system.