Tomorrow night the screen and stage at Simcoe Street Theatre will be used to tell stories of Indigenous experiences and culture.
For the first time, Indigenous 150+ is bringing its film and conversation to Collingwood.
JoAnne Fishburn is a co-founder of Indigenous 150+ and said she’s looking forward to bringing the series to Collingwood, in partnership with the Town of Collingwood.
With a background in film, Fishburn helped create the Indigenous 150+ initiative after reading the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action.
“I realized I could bring my skills to the table, and I was inspired by Indigenous storytellers across Canada,” she said.
She helped found the initiative as a way to use film and post-screening conversations to help build relationships and understanding and address the inequalities she saw in the nation.
“Until recently, we’ve not had many opportunities where Indigenous voices were given centre stage or were allowed to celebrate and commemorate their culture,” she said. “Indigenous filmmakers are winning awards around the world, but, by and large, Canadians are not seeing them.”
Fishburn, a non-Indigenous woman, worked with the M'Wikwedong Native Culture and Resource Centre in Owen Sound, members of the Saugeen and Neyaashiiniigmiing First Nation, the Métis Nation and Good Influence Films to create the initiative and find the films and Indigenous voices for the series.
On one occasion at a screening in Niagara Falls of one episode of a series called Sacred Water: Standing Rock, the post-screening conversation was with E Naad Ma, a water protector who was at Standing Rock.
“He said he learned something about humility, about when to ask for help,” said Fishburn. “Exposing non-Indigenous individuals to Indigenous values and teaching, people find that very valuable.”
She said launching Indigenous 150+ has been a rewarding experience.
“I really believe in cinema’s effect on social change,” she said. “The post-screening conversations are a great environment to build relationships and have open discussions … and so it builds bridges.”
Drawing on her experience with film, Fishburn said there are differences entrenched in Indigenous values that come through in the films they make as well.
“I think they come from a non-Western mindset, which is very powerful and enriching,” she said. “And I see that in terms of the approach to narrative and a lot of innovation in terms of storytelling … they’re stories that come from the heart. They are really fullsome and meaningful and resonate at a deep level in terms of what it means to be human.”
In Collingwood tomorrow night, the Indigenous 150+ event will be screening two episodes from a series called Future History.
The 13-part series looks at reclaiming and revitalizing Indigenous Knowledge.
Jillian Morris, an Indigenous woman and Collingwood resident, helped research for the series and will be moderating tomorrow evening’s event.
The post-screening conversations will feature guests Jeff Monague, an Ojibway elder and knowledge keeper of the Beausoleil First Nation, and Jennifer Podemski, the series co-creator and award-winning filmmaker.
The first episode, Awaken, features the stories of Sarain Fox and Kris Nahrgang, their relationships with their culture, and how they are each uniquely reclaiming it.
The second episode, Reclaim, features Monague, who is the manager at Springwood Provincial Park and he teaches survival skills.
The Collingwood Indigenous 150+ event is presented in partnership with M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, Good Influence Films, and the Town of Collingwood with support from the Ontario Arts Council.
The screening begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 27) at Simcoe Street Theatre. For tickets, trailers and more event details, click here.
