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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.

About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)

Renowned for having given many emerging filmmakers, television writers and producers their first breaks, the National Screen Institute provides training and production support through courses like NSI Totally Television, CBC New Indigenous Voices presented by NSI, NSI Features First, NSI IndigiDocs and TELUS STORYHIVE.

NSI also offers exposure through the NSI Online Short Film Festival and provides resources and support to those in the film, television and digital media industries at nsi-canada.ca.

National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) programs are made possible with your support and with ongoing funding from: Core Funders: Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council; Benefactors: TELUS, Telefilm Canada; Patrons: Bell Media, CBC; Builder: APTN; Strategic Sponsors: Directors Guild of Canada, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment, CBC Gem, Blue Ant Media; Friends: Manitoba Film & Music, RBC Emerging Artists Project, documentary Channel, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), William F. White International, Deluxe.

All media enquiries

Laura Friesen, Manager, Communications & Alumni Relations, NSI
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: laura.friesen@nsi-canada.ca

Melanie Dean, Director, Executive Training, ILDI
Tel: 204.940.1700 or email: melaniedean@ildii.ca

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