Sunday, Oct. 21

Sunday 1pm - 3pm | OCT. 21 MOTHERS OF OUR NATIONS Al Green Theatre

His Guidance

First Stories: Volume III - His Guidance Director: Duane Linklater Canada, 6:37, 2007, Beta SP

Ontario Premiere

For this proud drumkeeper, the drum is a “kind old man” offering guidance and knowledge.

Duane Linklater (Omushkego Cree) is a filmmaker, drummer and painter.

Territoire des Ondes (Land and Airwaves) Directors: Patrick Boivin & Alland Flamand Canada, 12:00, 2006, Beta SP

A beautiful film depicting the relationship between First Nations people and radio to make their voice heard.

Co-director Patrick Boivin (Attikamek) is a musician and radio host from Ville St. Laurent, Quebec. This film was made in conjunction with Wapikoni Mobile Media.

Ononkwa’sho’n:’a (Medicines) Directors : Tahentishon & Lothore Canada, 5:10, 2007, Beta SP

A young girl interviews her uncle, traditional medicine keeper Eddie Grey from Akwesasne about medicinal plants and their uses.

Tahentishon & Lothore made this film as part of a youth project done at the Akwesasne Freedom School with Paul Rickard.

...And Native Land Director: Miles Turner Canada, 10:22, 2007, Digital Beta

Did you ever wonder how the other side lives? This short documentary explores the national identities of Six Nations and Caledonia residents.

Onkwa’nistenhsera (Mothers of Our Nations)

Thirst Director: Gail Maurice Canada, 17:00, 2007, Beta SP

World Premiere

The purity of water on northern Ontario First Nations is put under the microscope to startling results.

Gail Maurice (Métis/Cree) is an actor, writer, producer, and director based in Toronto.

Duottarreaisu (Trip to the Falls) Director: Milla Pulska Finland, 1:00, 2006, Beta SP

North American Premiere

Young Sámi boys show off their catch of the day against stunning tundra landscapes.

Milla Pulska (Sámi) is a high-school student in the Utsjoki region in Lapland in northern Finland.

Onkwa’nistenhsera (Mothers of Our Nations) Director: Dawn Martin-Hill Canada, 48:00, 2006, Digital Beta

Ontario Premiere

Mothers of Our Nations is a remarkable documentary that explores the traditional and contemporary roles of women in Aboriginal cultures. Dr. Martin-Hill digs into the past and examines the present, as she combines the voices of Elders and Women from all over the world. Mothers of Our Nations is an inspiring documentary that points the way to the future by sharing traditional knowledge about the roles that women have played in our community and history.

Dr. Dawn Martin Hill is a Mohawk filmmaker, and cultural anthropologist whose previous film, Jidwa: Doh (Let’s Become Again) screened at imagineNATIVE in 2006.

Sunday 3pm - 5pm | OCT. 21 NAVAJO SPOTLIGHT II Al Green Theatre

Pow Wow Dreams

Pow Wow Dreams Director: Princess Lucaj USA, 8:00, 2006, Beta SP

Canadian Premiere

A group of sisters who travel and perform in a drum group are forced in different directions when one of them reveals a secret.

Princess Lucaj is a Gwich’in Athabascan actor, writer, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Pow Wow Dreams is her directorial debut.

Miss Navajo

Miss Navajo Director: Billy Luther USA, 60:00, 2006, Beta SP

Ontario Premiere

In a time when people are sceptical about beauty pageants, Miss Navajo captures the hopes, fears, challenges, and dreams of a group of young women who are all in competition for the title of “Miss Navajo.” This film reveals the complex dignity of the coveted title, as each woman must demonstrate their poise, beauty, and most of all her knowledge of Navajo language, culture, and traditions.

Billy Luther is a Navajo, Hopi, and Laguna Pueblo filmmaker who has been directing and Producing since he attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts. His mother was crowned Miss Navajo in 1966.

Co-presented by

Sunday 5pm - 6:15pm | OCT. 21 RITES OF PASSAGE: SHORTS PROGRAM Al Green Theatre

Primera Comunión (First Communion)

Primera Comunión (First Communion) Director: Daniel Eduvijes Carrera Mexico, 14:00, 2007, Digital Beta

In Spanish with English subtitles

Canadian Premiere

A young boy drifts through the streets of a fiercely catholic Mexican pueblo, where he attempts to evade the deadly rituals of a gang of children.

Daniel Eduvijes Carrera is a Mestizo filmmaker from Mexico. His award-winning previous work includes Lonche and Missing.

Sister Director: Ervin Chartrand Canada, 13:00, 2007, Digital Beta

World Premiere

When Dante’s sister won’t tell him where she goes out every night, he and his friend Coby leave the house, following her through the streets and alleyways of the city.

Ervin Chartrand is a Metis filmmaker born and raisedin Winnipeg, Manitoba. His other work includes Patrick Ross and 504938C.

Fifteen Directors: Cody Cayou & Travis Tom USA, 8:12, 2006, Beta SP

Toronto Premiere

This naturalistic drama superbly exposes the difficulty of resisting peer pressure as a boy convinces his younger friend to drink for the first time. They reflect on the realties of their lives, then part with tragic consequences.

Taua (War Party)

A Safe Place Directors: Migizi Pensoneau & Santee Frazier USA, 11:08, 2006, Beta SP

World Premiere

A Native teenager contemplates his life on the rez while spending an intimate afternoon with his non-Native girlfriend.

Migizi Pensoneau (Ponca/Ojibwe) is a former writer for American television series Alias. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santee Frazier (Cherokee) lives in New York City.

Taua (War Party) Director: Tearepa Kahi New Zealand, 15:00, 2007, Beta SP

Canadian Premiere

Two young boys who serve as water bailers at sea and distributors on land glimpse the humanity of an unknown captive.

Actor and director Tearepa Kahi (Ngati Paoa/Waikato) is an award-winning filmmaker based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Co-presented by