Non-Indigenous citizens encouraged to attend Star Blanket workshops
M’CHIGEENG—On the morning of Thursday, July 11, a group of 50 residential school survivors will be crossing the swing bridge at Little Current around 9 am. The symbolic crossing will be the culmination of a star blanket ceremony that will see the survivors gifted with a star blanket.
The star blanket holds special meaning amongst Indigenous peoples. It is used to “honour, protect and celebrate the individual.” Receiving a star blanket brings good dreams, prosperity and protection and, in this case, celebrates the resilience of those who were ripped from the bosoms of their family, culture and traditions by a colonial government set on literally conquering their souls.
Shirley Cheechoo, one of Canada’s most acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers and the founder of Weengushk Film Institute, hosts of the Weengushk International Film Festival, says she eschews the term survivor in favour of “warrior” as their resilience is a more accurate trait that any suggestion of victimhood.
The two-day intro to the Weengushk International Film Festival is themed as “Blanket of Stars: A Tribute to Resilience” and the 50 residential school warriors who will gather on Goat Island to prepare for a profound and symbolic procession across the swing bridge “represents their long journey and serves as a welcoming home. This bridge, which physically connects communities, will metaphorically represent the bridging of past and present, acknowledging the long road these survivors have travelled.”
“This poignant procession will be a public tribute to the resilience of these remarkable men and women,” noted Ms. Cheechoo. “As they walk, the warriors will be enveloped not only by the physical landscape of Manitoulin Island but also by the collective embrace of the communities and attendees present to honour their strength and survival.”
The day is exclusively set aside to celebrate and reflect upon the unyielding spirit of these survivors, she said. “It will be a moment to stand in solidarity with them, to learn from their experiences and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. This event will provide a space for healing, recognition and respect, paying homage to the resilience of these brave individuals who have endured and continue to inspire.”
The walk across the bridge will begin a day that will include ceremonies, story sharing, workshops on the impact of the residential school system with Shirley Horn and completion with a Warrior’s Dinner at 5 pm at the hotel and an evening of reflection and community as we honour the resilience and stories of the warriors. The workshops, which take place at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, will continue through Friday, July 12. (Details and updates at blanketofstars.ca.) Keynote speaker at the Warrior’s Dinner will be Matthew Coon Come, OC, who was Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (1987–99, 2009–17), National Chief of Assembly of First Nations 2000–03); activist and environmentalist, Mr. Coon Come was Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees for 20 years and served one term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He achieved national and international fame through his successful opposition to the James Bay hydroelectric project in the 1990s, his assertion of Cree self-determination, and his advocacy for Indigenous self-determination across the world. Mr Coon Come is also a residential school survivor/warrior.
The opening of the Weengushk International Film Festival begins with a reception and a screening of ‘Sugarcane’ (Best Director winner at the Sundance Festival in 2024) on Friday, July 12.
The evening promises to be an unforgettable opening night celebrating Indigenous storytelling, fostering meaningful connections and sets the stage for an inspiring festival experience. ‘Sugarcane’ is a 2024 documentary film directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emmy Award winner Emily Kassie. It follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian residential school system, igniting a reckoning in the lives of survivors and descendants. Ms. Kassie will be on hand for a question and answer session following dinner.
At 9 pm, the musical offerings of Ayasanabee, first Indigenous artist to win the prestigious Songwriter of the Year Award at the JUNOs.
“This is a curated film festival this year,” said Weengushk executive director Phyliss Ellis. “These are the very best of Indigenous films from across the world.”
On July 13, from 12 pm, ‘Tautuktavuk (What We See),’ will be screened at the FourDirections Complex in Aundeck Omni Kaning and is “an evocative, drawn-from-life tale from directors Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk about two siblings’ attempts to heal and overcome trauma during the pandemic.’
On July 13, from 1 pm a special presentation of ‘Bones of Crows’ will take place at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre at 66 Meredith Street East in Little Current. “This is really a highlight if the festival,” noted Ms. Ellis. Marie Clements will be attending the screening. ‘Bones of Crows’ “is a psychological drama told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch, Aline Spears, as she survives Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse.”
July 13, at 3:30 pm, ‘Hey, Viktor!’, the multi-award winning film by Cody Lightning, will screen. This tale is a wildly funny debut mockumentary focused on “a struggling Indigenous actor who tries to rejuvenate his career by getting a sequel made to the beloved film ‘Smoke Signals.’”
‘Twice Colonized,’ which screens at 10 am at the Manitoulin Hotel on July 13, tells the story of renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter, a person who has “led a lifelong fight for the rights of her people. When her youngest son unexpectedly passes away, Aaju embarks on a personal journey to bring her colonizers in both Canada and Denmark to justice.”
‘WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)’ screens at 10:30 am at the Manitoulin Hotel. “For generations, the suffering of residential school survivors has radiated outward, impacting Indigenous families and communities.”
‘Lakota Nation vs. United States’ screens on July 13 from 2 pm. The Black Hills are “the most sacred place on earth, the birthplace of the Lakota that has shaped thought, identity and philosophy for the Očéti Šakówiŋ since time immemorial—the life-giving land known as the Black Hills.”
Beginning at 8:30 am on July 13, also at the Manitoulin Hotel the Weengushk Film Institute Student Films Showcase takes place, bringing the works of Dexter Bowerman, Paul MacIntyre, Presley Measasige and Vanessa Ominika to the screen and the Short Film Program 1 screenings also take place on July 13, starting at 9 am, featuring ‘Mary Two Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again,’ ‘The Alexander Ball’ and “NIGIQTUQ (The South Wind).”
On Sunday, July 14 the red carpet gala takes place with some of the leading lights in Canadian Indigenous films in attendance. The night will be capped with a performance of ‘The Poets,’ a Tragically Hip tribute band.
