|
Justice Forum
Sara Roque, Canada, 2009, 45 minutes
On February 28, 2006, members of the Iroquois Confederacy (the Haudenosaunee) set up a blockade on a highway near Caledonia, Ontario to prevent a housing development from going ahead on their traditional land. The ensuing confrontation made national headlines for months. However, while most Canadians have watched television news footage of First Nations “protesters” blocking roads and angry non-Aboriginal people who want to get on with business as usual, few ever get the perspective of the First Nations. And even less well known is the perspective of women and in this particular situation, the crucial role of the women of the Six Nations community — the traditional source of power in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
In 1784, in recognition of Haudenosaunee loyalty during the American Revolution, the Crown granted a piece of land known as the Haldimand Tract to the Six Nations in perpetuity. The land stretches nearly 10 kilometres on either side of the Grand River. Today, the Haudenosaunee possess less than five per cent of that territory. According to the Canadian government, that’s because they sold the rest. The clan mothers disagree. And for them, Caledonia is the last straw.
While this peaceful blockade was initiated by two young women, the struggle was then joined and lead by the clan mothers. With quiet determination, the women rally the community on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve — with a population of 20,000, the largest reserve in Canada.
During the course of the blockade, it is the clan mothers who set the rules for conduct. And when the community’s chiefs ask people to abandon the barricades, it is the clan mothers who over-rule them. Six Miles Deep is an inspiring portrait of a group of women whose actions have led a cultural reawakening in their traditionally matriarchal community.
Honourable Mention, NFB Colin Low Award for most innovative Canadian Documentary
Filmmaker in attendancE
Classified for younger audiences. No membership required.
Discussion to follow with:
 Sheryl Lightfoot
Professor, UBC
Sheryl Lightfoot (Lake Superior Band of Anishinaabe) is assistant professor at the University of British Columbia in both the First Nations Studies Program and the Department of Political Science. Her research focuses on global indigenous peoples politics, indigenous diplomacy, indigenous social movements, and critical international relations.
“Justice is... acknowledging and respecting mutual agreements and offering fair compensation when those agreements fail.”
Sara Roque
Director, Six Miles Deep
Sara Roque is a Métis filmmaker, writer, arts administrator and activist who has been involved in a number of community-based arts and Aboriginal history projects. She is co-founder of the O’Kaadenigan Wiingashk Collective, dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous artists and training in the Kawarthas region. Roque’s short films have screened at ImagineNative Film Festival and the Splice This! Super8 film festival, and have been broadcast on MuchMusic.
» Website
Community Partner
Justice Forum Presented by
|
