Documentary / 64m / Canada (BC)
"I Am Gitxsan" follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people. The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people's enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.
Preceded by the short film R.G.Miller: Truth In Painting
30m, Dir. Cher Obediah
The brush strokes of artist Gary Miller echo his experience as a child inmate at the Mohawk Institute, also known as the Mush Hole. A few survivors from the last generation of the Residential School return to discuss Gary’s art and connect with each other. The images, housed in the former dining hall serve up memories of mush, mayhem and hope for the future.
Cher Obediah is Ojibway and Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario with roots in Alderville First Nation. She is a multidisciplinary creative as a filmmaker, speaker, author, and artist.
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