‘SUGARCANE’ Documentary Film – Whitehorse Screening Event

PSAC North and the Yukon Indigenous Peoples’ Circle are honoured to host a screening and discussion of SUGARCANE.

A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning.

In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.

This event aims to be trauma informed and recognizes the effects of trauma on individuals and communities. Please note that the film includes challenging and/or triggering subject matter.

The film viewing will begin with a drum song from the Rising Sun Singers and will be followed by a group discussion.

This event is open to PSAC members and community allies.

PSAC North will be hosting similar screening events in Yellowknife and Iqaluit on dates to be announced.

REGISTER

ACCESSIBILITY

• The film will be screened in English with French subtitles.
• Masks are not required at this event. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, organizers ask that you please stay home.
• PSAC strives to ensure our events are scent-free. We ask that attendees avoid using any scented products (including perfume, cologne, hairsprays, lotions, etc.) so that those with severe allergies are able to attend the event.
• Parking is available at the venue.
• The venue is wheelchair accessible.
• Accessible and gender-neutral washrooms are available. Washrooms with changing tables are also available.
• Decompression spaces will be available.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES (TBC)

Filmmaker’s Content Warning: This documentary deals with issues of abuse, rape, suicide, and murder. This material may not be suitable to everyone. Please use your best judgement in deciding whether or not to attend.

We prioritize safety, choice, empowerment and connection. Attendees are encouraged to attend the screening with a friend or trusted support person and want to highlight the following mental health resources available to anyone experiencing distress:

• Yukon Canadian Mental Health Reach Out Support Line at 1-844-533-3030.
• Committee For Abuse in Residential Schools (CAIRS) outreach and counselling for Residential School survivors at 867-667-2247.
• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis people seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

MORE ABOUT THE FILM

A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life – SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie – is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. Set amidst a ground-breaking investigation into abuse and death at an Indian residential school, the film empowers participants to break cycles of intergenerational trauma by bearing witness to painful, long-ignored truths – and the love that endures within their families.

In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves near an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada sparked a national outcry about the forced separation, assimilation, and abuse many children experienced at this network of segregated boarding schools designed to slowly destroy the culture and social fabric of Indigenous communities. When Kassie- a journalist and filmmaker- asked her old friend and colleague, NoiseCat, to direct a film documenting the Williams Lake First Nation investigation of St Joseph’s Mission, she never imagined just how close this story was to his own family. As the investigation continued, Emily and Julian traveled back to the rivers, forests and mountains of his homelands to hear the myriad stories of survivors. During production, Julian’s own story became an integral part of this beautiful multi-stranded portrait of a community. By offering space, time, and profound empathy the directors unearthed what was hidden. Kassie and NoiseCat encountered both the extraordinary pain these individuals had to suppress as a tool for survival and the unique beauty of a group of people finding the strength to persevere.

This movie is rated R for language. For more information on the film, visit the Sugarcane film website.