Indigenous and Settler Filmmakers Collaborate on ELDERS ’ PROJECT
September 30 , 2022 – A team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers announce commencement of their feature documentary , ELDERS ’ PROJECT ( working title .)
With production funding from TELUS originals , this feature-length film spotlights the work of three Indigenous changemakers who are determined to halt intergenerational trauma . Stories of hope and homecoming intersect , as three visionary creators work with their communities . Charlene SanJenko of Splatsin in the Secwépemc Nation ( Shuswap ,) Alfonso Salinas of the shíshálh Nation and swiya ( Sunshine Coast ,) and Ecko Aleck of the Nlaka ' pamux Nation ( Lytton ,) are documenting and learning the traditional cultural teachings of their Elders .
In a joint statement , SanJenko , Aleck and Salinas say , “ As Indigenous multimedia creators , and as parents , we are deeply committed to healing , finding our voice , and speaking our truth . We can make a profound difference in our families and our communities both now and into the future , as this documentary will show . As directors of our own projects , and as producers and writers in collaboration with settler changemaker and award-winning director Liz Marshall , we are sharing the stories of our Indigenous Elders with the world so that their voices are heard , and their knowledge and wisdom is shared with an ethic of care . The teachings of our Indigenous Elders are needed now to navigate a changing world . We are innovating a collaborative filmmaking approach , rooted in Indigenous values that centers our well-being , our Elders , our communities and our knowledge keepers . This foundation is woven through every aspect of this project , and will ripple out and beyond .”
“ As reflected in our film ’ s Mission Statement , we acknowledge that Indigenous culture , spirituality , values , beliefs , philosophy and intellectual property have existed since time immemorial . We look forward to making this film , to its impact , and to sharing our documentary archive with the Indigenous communities we are working closely with ,” says director Liz Marshall . “ As a resident of the Sunshine Coast , the unceded homelands of the shíshálh and sḵwx̱wú7mesh Peoples , and as a filmmaker , I ’ m committed to syiyaya , meaning “ family and friends ” in the sashishalhem language . The syiyaya Reconciliation Movement is a grassroots visionary initiative working toward systemic
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