Lessons from the Land
ReFrame is proud to partner with the New Canadians Centre on the second annual "Lessons from the Land" program, a day of in-person programs designed to help us engage with Canada Day by reflecting on our relationship with the land and Indigenous peoples.
In addition to these two powerful films, the New Canadians Centre invites you to join our community for a day of learning on Friday July 1, 2022 from 9:00AM - 3:30PM at Beavermead Pavilion (2011 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough).
For full program details, visit: nccpeterborough.ca/lessons-from-the-land
Trigger warning: This film contains mention of violence against women and children
Gaamominik (Karen Watts), is an Odawa survivor/storyteller from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Odawa Mnis “Manitoulin Island”. Stolen from her biological family by their landlord before the age of four, Karen grew up in the heart of Toronto, Ontario with an assumed name and identity. Enduring years of psychological abuse and being bullied for being Native, she finally escaped to the streets and found herself living in a vicious cycle of alcohol and drugs. By her mid-twenties, Karen defied all odds and turned her life around so she could rediscover her true identity and begin her healing journey. Her perseverance and resiliency brought meaning to her life and a reconnection to her family and ancestral homeland. She now lives her life in recognition of Anishinaabe values and Traditional Teachings in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough), Ontario.
This film was produced by ReFrame Film Festival with the support of the Electric City Culture Council's Arts Alive Fund.
Links for more information:
The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:
The Truth & Reconciliation Website (with links to the Calls to Action):
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/trc-website/
Links for support:
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRSRHSP) provides safe, confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental mental health and emotional support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families.
Crisis Line provides immediate emotional support for former Indian Residential School students. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 1-866-925-4419
Native Women's Association of Canada Elder Support Line | Canada-Wide
Available Monday-Friday 9AM-11AM EST & 1PM-3PM EST
Call 888-664-7808
First Nations, Métis & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line | Canada-Wide
If you’re experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, call the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line, available 24/7, Canada-wide.
Call 1-855-242-3310
The filmmakers wish to thank:
Amy Siegel, Creative Director ReFrame Film Festival
Angus Pontiac (for bringing me home)
Dean Smith, Indigenous Education Consultant
Family of Genevieve Migwans-Debassige-Post
James Cullingham, Historian & Filmmaker
Native Child & Family Services of Toronto
Susan Bacque, ReFrame Director
Unity Singers: Barb Cook Rivett, Joanne Argue, Brenda Maracle-O’Toole & Heather Y. Shpuniarsky
Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
- Year2022
- Runtime15 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryCanada
- DirectorHannah Lemelin
- ProducerHannah Lemelin, Karen Watts, Amy Siegel
- CinematographerHannah Lemelin
- EditorAmy Davis
- MusicUnity Singers
Lessons from the Land
ReFrame is proud to partner with the New Canadians Centre on the second annual "Lessons from the Land" program, a day of in-person programs designed to help us engage with Canada Day by reflecting on our relationship with the land and Indigenous peoples.
In addition to these two powerful films, the New Canadians Centre invites you to join our community for a day of learning on Friday July 1, 2022 from 9:00AM - 3:30PM at Beavermead Pavilion (2011 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough).
For full program details, visit: nccpeterborough.ca/lessons-from-the-land
Trigger warning: This film contains mention of violence against women and children
Gaamominik (Karen Watts), is an Odawa survivor/storyteller from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Odawa Mnis “Manitoulin Island”. Stolen from her biological family by their landlord before the age of four, Karen grew up in the heart of Toronto, Ontario with an assumed name and identity. Enduring years of psychological abuse and being bullied for being Native, she finally escaped to the streets and found herself living in a vicious cycle of alcohol and drugs. By her mid-twenties, Karen defied all odds and turned her life around so she could rediscover her true identity and begin her healing journey. Her perseverance and resiliency brought meaning to her life and a reconnection to her family and ancestral homeland. She now lives her life in recognition of Anishinaabe values and Traditional Teachings in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough), Ontario.
This film was produced by ReFrame Film Festival with the support of the Electric City Culture Council's Arts Alive Fund.
Links for more information:
The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:
The Truth & Reconciliation Website (with links to the Calls to Action):
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/trc-website/
Links for support:
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRSRHSP) provides safe, confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental mental health and emotional support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families.
Crisis Line provides immediate emotional support for former Indian Residential School students. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 1-866-925-4419
Native Women's Association of Canada Elder Support Line | Canada-Wide
Available Monday-Friday 9AM-11AM EST & 1PM-3PM EST
Call 888-664-7808
First Nations, Métis & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line | Canada-Wide
If you’re experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, call the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line, available 24/7, Canada-wide.
Call 1-855-242-3310
The filmmakers wish to thank:
Amy Siegel, Creative Director ReFrame Film Festival
Angus Pontiac (for bringing me home)
Dean Smith, Indigenous Education Consultant
Family of Genevieve Migwans-Debassige-Post
James Cullingham, Historian & Filmmaker
Native Child & Family Services of Toronto
Susan Bacque, ReFrame Director
Unity Singers: Barb Cook Rivett, Joanne Argue, Brenda Maracle-O’Toole & Heather Y. Shpuniarsky
Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
- Year2022
- Runtime15 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryCanada
- DirectorHannah Lemelin
- ProducerHannah Lemelin, Karen Watts, Amy Siegel
- CinematographerHannah Lemelin
- EditorAmy Davis
- MusicUnity Singers
