THUNDER BAY - Racism, discrimination, and violence are never easy things to talk about, especially for youth still trying to discover who they are and where they fit in. But a group of local filmmakers are providing Indigenous youth with an opportunity to speak up share their stories.
Coming Together to Talk, a Thunderstone Pictures film by Ardelle Sagutcheway, Casha Adams, Savanna Boucher, and Michelle Derosier explores issues and realities facing Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay and how they would like to see change.
The film will be screened at the Redwood Park Church on Monday, June 26 to coincide with the anniversary of the inquest into the deaths of seven Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay.
According to Sagutcheway, the film is essentially about racism and discrimination in Thunder Bay because “that is something the youth constantly talk about, what they go through here in Thunder Bay in all areas, in school, with authority,” she said.
Assisting with the film was Indigenous filmmaker Michelle Derosier, who created the Walk-A-Mile film project. Coming Together to Talk is an hour long film that examines issues of racism, connections to the land, and missing and murdered Indigenous women through three personal stories.
Sagutcheway, originally from a remote northern community, travelled to Thunder Bay when she was 13-years-old to attend high school. In the film, she talks about her experiences during that time.
“I struggled with my mental health and drinking and I think a lot of youth still face that,” she said. “I talk about that, but I also talk about my experience with racism at the hospital and the stereotype is still very real, the drunk Indian stereotype is still real to this day.”
Sharing personal stories and reflections was not easy for Sagutcheway, but she believes it is important, especially for the youth, to speak up and make these stories heard.
“That’s a pretty big step for all of us, for everyday youth who also shared their stories,” she said. “The way we see it is, we are kind of making a space for the younger generation to share their stories, too. I think because it’s their lives and they have to live with it on a daily basis. As older adults we need to be more supportive of them.”
But throughout the making of the film, Sagutcheway and the other filmmakers found that Indigenous youth in city have a voice and have something important to say, particularly in light of recent tragic events.
“The youth are willing to talk with people and that they have the opportunity to be more than what is expected of them,” she said. “I think of Tammy and I think of Josiah. They unfortunately, won’t be able to finish high school or go onto university and I think that is pretty sad. I want people to realize that this is their reality, this is the youth’s reality.”
The film was first screened last December and received a strong showing of support from the community. Sagutcheway believes the positive reception comes from the honesty that is portrayed by the people in film.
“There was a lot of people just kind of in awe,” she said. “We don’t hold anything back when we discuss some of the stories and some of the experiences. I think people were just kind of amazed that people could be that honest.”
Coming Together To Talk will be screened on Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Redwood Park Church. A panel discussion will be held following the screening. Admission is free. A trailer for the film is available online.
