community event - documentary screening of birth of a family & panel discussion
join us at the midland cultural centre for a thought-provoking evening featuring the impactful documentary "birth of a family." followed by a panel discussion.
date: tuesday, september 26, 2023
time: 6:30pm
venue: midland cultural centre (333 king st. midland)
register here to attend: truth & reconciliation film screening: "birth of a family" tickets, tue, sep 26, 2023 at 6:30 pm | eventbrite
if you have been following our socials, you may have noticed many posts regarding this upcoming event.
you can find us on facebook, instagram and twitter!
in this deeply moving feature-length documentary, three sisters and a brother meet for the first time. removed from their young dene mother during the infamous sixties scoop, they were separated as infants and adopted into families across north america.
betty ann, esther, rosalie, and ben were only four of the 20,000 indigenous canadian children taken from their families between 1955 and 1985, to be either adopted into white families or live in foster care. as the four siblings piece together their shared history, their connection deepens, and their family begins to take shape.
stick around after the screening for an enlightening panel discussion with elders, knowledge keepers, sixties scoop survivors and the working together-wijinokiwag program facilitator, heather mcintyre for a discussion about how we can create a better future for all our community members.
share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage in a meaningful conversation that promises to broaden your perspectives.
a little bit more our panelists:
*myiingan minonaakwhe (jeff monague): elder and a knowledge keeper in his community, language carrier, educator, musician, former chief of the beausoleil first nation on christian island, former director of treaty research with the anishnabek (union of ontario indians), a canadian forces veteran, and park superintendent of springwater park.
*steve beaupre: skaabawis- community helper, sixties scoop survivor, red road to recovery team facilitator and educator (banac, mamaway wiidokdaadwin).
* jennifer brunelle, entrepreneur, artisan, teacher, musician and storyteller. jennifer will share with us her family journey through the indian day school experience and how that changed the landscape of their family in reclaiming their identity, truths and belonging as they moved through their personal experiences.
* grandmother renée will share her wisdom with us as well as the impacts of indian day schools and residential schools within her family and the journey it has been to repair and heal those wounds that run so deep.
the event lead, heather has an amazing ability to create space and conversation that engages, enlightens and empowers change in people's perspective. we recognize that the subject matter and discussion may bring up difficult emotions or feelings and will provide individuals the space and freedom to process how they feel most comfortable.
i would encourage you to reach out to heather mcintyre if you have any questions related to the event.