Pow Wow Xperience

Pow Wow Xperience

Quick stats about the movie

In the pow wow circle, each one of us is welcome to come celebrate and dance.

Creative team

Writer: Aretha Greatrix
Director: Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse
Producers: Aretha Greatrix, Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse

Filmmaker’s statement

Oral traditions such as storytelling have been historically integral to the transmission of traditional knowledge, languages, ceremonies, laws and on the land practices. These skills are passed on through a kinship system from generation to generation to ensure their survival.

This inter-generational knowledge transmission practice, often understood as kinship practice, has been disrupted by colonialism, the Indian residential schools, the 60s scoop and now the child welfare system.

This film is an innovative way to share a small piece of our celebratory ceremonial practice of the pow wow to Indigenous people who have not had the opportunity to be raised by their families or with their cultures and/or in their communities.

As the director of the Pow Wow Xperience, I wanted to ensure the messaging and images we shared in the film were loving, positive and welcoming. As a director, I am a storyteller and the intention of this film is one small way to contribute to the work of reclaiming and revitalizing our Indigenous traditions within the colonial context of Canada.

About Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse

Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse

Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse is Cree and Mohawk from Michel First Nation.

She has completed her bachelor of arts in the Faculty of Native Studies and is completing an MSc with the Faculty of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology at the University of Alberta.

Jodi is the founder and co-owner of Miyo-Pimatisiwin Productions and is also the producer and broadcaster of an award-winning Indigenous radio program called Acimowin. Jodi’s interests are Indigenous media, Indigenous legal traditions, Indigenous feminism, social innovation and Indigenous futurisms.

Her work is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous peoples, stories, traditions and laws.

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