The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), in partnership with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI), are pleased to announce the world premiere of the documentary Living Culture, Speaking Truth: Language Revitalization In Our Communities at the Dreamspeakers International Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta on April 30, 2019.

The documentary project provided training and mentorship to four NSI alumni who directed segments of the film and added their own perspectives on the cultural and filmmaking journey of this initiative.

The project was a collaborative exchange of best practices for language revitalization across Canada, with the goal of First Nations, Métis and Inuit language preservation. The film documents seven Indigenous communities throughout Canada who have taken initiative by employing unique strategies and are at the forefront of strengthening and revitalizing their Indigenous languages.

“We’re excited that Living Culture, Speaking Truth will be seen by a wider audience and are thrilled to bring it to Dreamspeakers for its world premiere,” said Melanie Dean, director of executive training at ILDI. “Our collaboration with the National Screen Institute represents a unique partnership, bringing together language revitalization and documentary filmmaking initiatives in an effort to preserve and celebrate Indigenous cultures.”

“The National Screen Institute is proud to have worked on this important project. Dreamspeakers Film Festival is a perfect fit for Living Culture, Speaking Truth,” said NSI CEO John Gill. “This screening is a crucial step in raising awareness and bringing it to the attention of more Canadians.”

The film’s four directors are all NSI alumni: Petie Chalifoux (NSI IndigiDocs), Alexandra Lazarowich (NSI IndigiDocs), Roxann Whitebean (NSI IndigiDocs) and Mike Black (CBC New Indigenous Voices). They were mentored during the production process by Mike Bourquin, Mike Maryniuk, Ivan Hughes and Charles Konowal. The final documentary was edited by Ivan Hughes with supervising director Dennis Jackson (NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative, NSI Totally Television). The project was managed by NSI associate program manager Kaya Wheeler.

This year’s Dreamspeakers Festival marks the fest’s 25th anniversary and runs April 26 to May 7, 2019. The film also screens at the First Nations Film & Video Festival in Chicago on May 9, 2019. Additional screening dates will be announced as they’re confirmed.

About the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI)

ILDI is a non-profit organization established to build leadership capacity in Indigenous people. We are run by Indigenous people and directed by a volunteer board reflecting the diversity of the Indigenous community.

ILDI is committed to promoting governance that creates successful building blocks for the future in Indigenous communities. ILDI’s belief is that in order to achieve this, we must respect and promote the positive perspectives of all communities.

ILDI delivers governance-related training in partnership with leading educational institutions and facilitators. The courses offered are based on needs identified by Indigenous leaders and planners, and represent a unique educational opportunity for participants to ready themselves for the challenges of self-governance. Through partnerships and cooperative alliances, we provide rich and varied educational opportunities that work towards building capacity within Indigenous and non-Indigenous business and community organizations.

ILDI is proud of this documentary – the project was built upon a foundation of Indigenous tradition, culture, ceremony, and sacredness with the intent to create a legacy that will contribute to the strengthening and revitalizing of Indigenous languages and cultures.

All media enquiries

Melanie Dean, Director, Executive Training, ILDI
Tel: 204.940.1700 or email: me*********@***ii.ca