An award winning Indigenous filmmaker is making a stop in Sioux Lookout Sunday to showcase Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance.
The film is based on real life events and what Alanis Obomsawin observed in person during the 75-day standoff in Oka, Quebec in 1990.
The historic confrontation propelled Canada into the international spotlight and launched Indigenous issues into the spotlight.
The municipality was attempting to expand a golf course and build condominiums on Mohawk cemetery property.
Obomsawin calls the event a real crisis, with a shootout on July 11th. She says the police, SWAT team and Army all responded, noting everyone was armed, even the warriors.
Obomsawin notes it made life extremely difficult for everyone, stressing it wasn’t easy to go to your everyday job.
She calls the confrontation a turning point for all Canadians, stating not many people know about the different nations in the area, what the systems are and what it has been like for their people.
Obomsawin says a court overturned the development, but notes the issue has come up again with Oka attempting to resume building attempts.
The screening event for Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance will take place at 7:00pm at the Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre.
Before that, her first ever film ‘Christmas at Moose Factory’ will be showcased at the Library at 1:00pm.
Obomsawin is encouraging families and children to attend that screening. Both are free.
Obomsawin is 85-years-old and has made 50-films about First Nations with the National Film Board of Canada.
She was inducted into the Playback Canadian Film and Television Hall of Fame in 2010 and received the Humanitarian Award for Exceptional Contributions to Community and Public Service from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
To learn more, visit the Audio link below.
