NEWS RELEASE
FIRSTONTARIO PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
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The Film House and Brock University’s Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies / Department of Sociology are proud to announce Dibaajimo/ Tells a Story, a new curated film series set to kick off this January to coincide with a new Indigenous film course taught by assistant professor Lyn Trudeau.
During the Winter 2025 term, assistant professor Trudeau (Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation, Eagle Clan) will deliver a new course at Brock University - Indigenous Film. To expand the potential reach and impact of her course, Dr. Trudeau has teamed up with the PAC’s programming team to curate a selection of titles covered in the course into a screening series for our community at The Film House.
“Film is impactful and possesses the power to influence society,” shares Dr. Trudeau. “The course and series have been designed to examine the effects of visual media, aesthetics, narrative structure, and the role film has had in shaping perspectives on the Indigenous populace within greater society as well as exemplifying the response by Indigenous filmmakers.”
The series kicks-off with Reel Injun (Canada, 2009) on Jan 19 at 3 p.m. Dr. Trudeau will offer context and insights into each of her film choices, and we invite the community to watch and learn more about Indigenous identity as told through the powerful medium of film.
Reel Injun is a feature-length documentary by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond that takes an entertaining and insightful look at the portrayal of North American Indigenous people throughout a century of cinema. Featuring hundreds of clips from old classics as well as recent releases, the film traces the evolution of the “Hollywood Indian.”
"I feel this is a valuable resource and launching point given that the film demonstrates broadly what the populace consumed over decades through film,” shares assistant professor Trudeau.
Assistant professor Trudeau is from Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation, Eagle Clan. She is cross-appointed with Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology and affiliated with the Social Justice and Equity Program in which her work embodies a decolonial lens. This includes previous work/research with Elders, Indigenous youth, Indigenous teacher candidates, and residential schools. She feels it is important to honour her cultural background; therefore, embeds Indigenous knowledge and ways of being in her classrooms and research endeavours.
“We’re so pleased to bring this important new collaboration to The Film House that illuminates Indigenous voices and stories,” shares Annie Wilson, programming manager. “In the PAC’s ongoing walk of Truth and Reconciliation, we appreciate Dr. Trudeau’s spirit of collaboration to gather our broader community together to learn about Indigenous cinema and its role in Indigenous activism and self-determination.”
The Dibaajimo/ Tells a Story film series will run from Jan. 19 until April 5 and will also include the titles Abducted (Canada, 2021) on Feb. 15, SGaawaay K’uuna/ Edge of the Knife (Canada, 2018) on March 15 and will conclude with a screening of Boy (New Zealand, 2010) on April 5.
The Film House at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre hosts 8 screenings per week that include first run features, documentaries and special events and is home to Brock University Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts students during the academic year.
Visit FirstOntarioPAC.ca to buy tickets, for more information, and to download the January Film House calendar.
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