THUNDER BAY -- The city’s Walk-A-Mile film project is going province-wide.
Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer announced $150,000 to translate and distribute the film to schools and libraries on Thursday at SilverCity movie theatre.
The film, a five-part documentary series, explores the life and history of Aboriginal people not only in Thunder Bay but across the country.
The film was a collaboration between the city’s Aboriginal liaison unit and Thunderstone Pictures and examines everyday life for First Nation people in Canada but also their history, particularly treaties.
“It has come to my attention most people in Ontario have no idea all of Ontario is covered by a number of treaties and within those treaties are various First Nations,” said Zimmer, noting there are 133 First Nations within the province.
Zimmer watched the first two episodes of Walk-A-Mile Thursday morning and said he found the first part about life as a First Nation person in Thunder Bay to an emotional experience as historically there has been tension.
The second episode focuses on treaties and the minister said keeping the issues raised in the first episode in mind, it shows we are all treaty people.
Once word about the film spreads, Zimmer predicts there will be a demand for Walk-A-Mile.
“It’s going to be, if you will, a best-seller,” he said.
“It gives you a very good feeling whenever you see people, citizens, on whatever issue concerned about the issue, wanting to understand the issue, wanting to fix the difficulties they see in the issue. It is encouraging to see people of good intentions wanting to tackle a very difficult problem,” said Zimmer.
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Film director and co-owner of Thunderstone Pictures Michelle Derosier wasn’t in attendance at the minister’s announcement, but said in a press release she’s excited to see the support the project has received.
“We have work to do as a society, but seeing so many different people come together for Walk-A-Mile film project tells me most of us are on the same page and ready to do our part to create positive change,” she said.
Metis Nation of Ontario Region 2 Coun. Cameron Burgess said he was excited to hear the film will be distributed beyond Thunder Bay as the organization has supported the project since day one.
“It’s a great way to get the message out to all the citizens of Ontario,” he said.
“I think once people see the film, they’ll gain a better knowledge of the First Nation and Metis, and awareness of what’s going on out in the communities.”
With one of the largest First Nation populations, Zimmer said Thunder Bay is poised to be a leader in understanding and improving the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, adding the city can serve as a template of how to break through the misunderstanding about treaties.
That leadership role is something Mayor Keith Hobbs believes the city can achieve as well.
“We have to be the leaders,” he said.
“The education piece in this film is vital for understanding treaties and how First Nation people feel, how Metis, how Inuit people feel when they walk the streets of Thunder Bay or any community. It really brings awareness,” Hobbs said.
