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| Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Tehatkatonnions Bush, Sonia Bonspille-Boileau, Paula Kline, Lisa Byer-De Wever, Robert Verrall & Robert McDonough at the McGill School of Social Work |
PRIDE … OPPORTUNITIES … ONGOING CHALLENGES …
…are what we saw at two screenings last week of Sonia Bonspille Boileau’s documentary, The Legacy of the Oka Crises-25 Years Later, and heard from a panel of young dynamic First Nations leaders that followed.
From the 1876 Indian Act that transformed Aboriginal adults into dependent minors, to residential schools, to the ‘60s scoop’ of Indian children, to the Oka Crises, First Nations communities in the Montreal area have just begun the healing process these past five years. Young Tehatkatonnions Bush, an engaging and articulate 15 year old Mohawk, felt his generation was the first to be growing up with pride.
There is currently a veritable explosion of First Nations films with 800 being produced over the past decade. Empowering new generations to express themselves through all art forms is one way to address issues of poverty, loss of identity and purpose according to the panelists. New role models are appearing and fresh perspectives are taking shape.
This is an exciting time for all Canadians - not only to build bridges, but to build a brand new house - from the foundation up - together.
Many thanks to the presenters: Sonia Bonspille Boileau, Mohawk film maker, Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Innu, co-founder of the Quebec Idle No More Movement, Tehatkatonnions Bush, Mohawk, student at the Kahnakwake Survival School and Coutney Montour, Mohawk filmmaker
To our sponsors: Indigenous Access McGill, First Peoples' House, Social Action Office of the Montreal Catholic Diocese, and a shout out to the McGill School of Social Work and St. Lambert United Church for hosting these 2 MCM In Missio presentations.
