Interview with co-director of Sugarcane, a film on the abuse perpetrated by the Catholic Church at the Williams Lake Residential School.
Sponsored by Okanagan College Indigenous Services and REZ13 Productions
On Oct 6, 2024 ‘Sugarcane’, a film about the Williams Lake Residential school, screened at the Okanagan College in Penticton. REZ13 was a co-sponsor of the Okanagan premiere.
We interviewed filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat about the film which he co-directed with Emily Kassie. See interview above.
‘Sugarcane’ screening… well received in Penticton
‘Sugarcane’ is a riveting and stunning investigation into a BC residential school that sparks a reckoning on the Sugarcane Reserve, near Williams Lake, BC.
For documentary filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat, the investigation is highly personal, as his own father was born at the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in Williams Lake. Julian and fellow documentary filmmaker Emily Kassie do an in-depth investigation to uncover the trauma and abuse in the Catholic residential school in the film.
Not just left as an open wound, the Penticton event provided the opportunity for healing as well, through Q+A’s with impact producers and Julian Brave NoiseCat as well as support organized by the Okanagan College, Indigenous Services.
‘Sugarcane’ took home the Directing Award for US Documentary at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Photo of Julian Brave NoiseCat: Stephanie Seaton REZ13 / filming Josh Freer Airborne Afro
Residential school survivor speaks at screening of 'Sugarcane’ in Penticton.
Hazel Skwax̌ən (Squakin), a 92 year old survivor of the Kamloops Residential School is passionate about accountability from the Catholic Church for wrongdoing at BC’s residential schools.
Hazel who comes from sməłkmixʷ Similkameen - valley of the məlqnups, golden eagles, is a survivor of the Kamloops residential school. She spoke about her experiences at the Okanagan College and REZ13 co-sponsored screening of 'Sugarcane' on October 6, 2024.
In the video Hazel Squakin, speaks about life as a residential school survivor. The schools, which were primarily run by the Roman Catholic Church, were known to be rife with abuse of the First Nations students. According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, "more than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned.”
Hazel Skwax̌ən (Squakin) speaks about the effects of a Catholic run residential school in Kamloops, on her life and that of her family's
Visit the official National Geographic site for ‘Sugarcane’ for more information about the film and showings.
‘Sugarcane’ documentary changes the landscape
‘Sugarcane’ is an important film for exposing infanticide and the fallout from abuse suffered by First Nations children at residential schools in Canada.
At REZ13 we felt it important to support this film and its directors and producers, as it is long past time for the people and organizations responsible for the abuse, to be exposed for their crimes.
Oct 18, 2024…. In a move that will further help those seeking reconciliation from perpetrators at Catholic run residential schools, Lily Gladstone signs on as Executive Producer for ‘Sugarcane’. Read article on Vanity Fair.
