We are excited to kick off a new watchlist highlighting great books, podcasts, films and music by Indigenous writers and artists.
This blog series features content that explores Indigenous rights and knowledge through the imaginative and lived experiences of artists. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do – and find new ideas for your to-read, to-watch and to-listen lists.
Our summer picks explore stargazing, storytelling, comedy and community. Check them out below!
Do you have any recommendations? Let us know!
DOCUMENTARY
Wilfred Buck | Directed by Lisa Jackson
It’s cosmology and world views. [...] Everything has connections. Everything has responsibilities.
Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Jackson’s new documentary tells the story of Wilfred Buck, a Cree elder and astronomer known as the “star guy.” The film is based on Buck’s memoir I Have Lived Four Lives and combines archival materials with current footage of Buck as a facilitator and teacher. Together, it is an exploration of storytelling, Indigenous cosmologies, and resistance and reclamation through stargazing.
Wilfred Buck is screening at film festivals across the country this summer. Watch the trailer here: Wilfred Buck Trailer | Vimeo.
MUSIC
After the Night Ends | Semiah
I am a really big advocate for taking up space.
- Semiah
Semiah Smith is a Kanien’keha:ka electro pop R&B artist and producer from Six Nations. After the Night Ends was released last June and is Semiah’s first EP. Check out this interview with Semiah where she talks about how she started singing, experimenting with different genres, and how Indigeneity influences her music.
Check out Semiah’s website for upcoming shows, including a performance at the International Indigenous Music Summit in Toronto from June 10-14. Listen to After the Night Ends on Semiah’s website, Spotify or Itunes.
COMEDY
Inconvenient | Janelle Niles
When I think about my comedy today [...], I’m on a mission, I’m on a journey.
Janelle Niles is the creator of Got Land?, the first Indigenous stand-up comedy variety show of its kind in Canada. Janelle is a two-spirited Black and Mi’kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia. In Inconvenient, a documentary short film, Janelle and other Got Land? comics reflect on using comedy to talk about difficult topics and the importance of community.
Watch Inconvenient on CBC Gem. Catch Janelle and other comics live in Ottawa on June 6 or watch the Got Land? website for other upcoming shows.
For more reading and watching recommendations about Indigenous rights, check out First Peoples Law’s reading lists.
First Peoples Law is a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We work closely with First Nations to defend their Aboriginal title, rights and Treaty rights, uphold their Indigenous laws and governance and ensure economic prosperity for their members.
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