Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief

198628 min 42 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Carol Geddes

Production: Barbara JanesKathleen Shannon

Script: Carol GeddesGloria Demers

Co-produced by the NFB and the Federal Women's Film Program, with the collaboration of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Employment and Immigration Canada, Health and Welfare Canada, Secretary of State, Women's Program, and Status of Women Canada.

A tribute to Indigenous women everywhere, this short documentary focuses on 5 women from across Canada. Of varied ages and backgrounds, they have achieved success in a variety of careers: as the Yukon legislature's first Indigenous woman minister (Margaret Joe), as a deck hand on a fishing boat (Corinne Hunt), as a teacher (Sophie MacLeod), as a lawyer (Roberta Jamieson), and as a band council chief (Sophie May Pierre - St. Mary’s Indian Band of the Ktunaxa Nation off the Ktunaxa Nation). Each of these women talks about how she got to where she is today, and attests to the importance of Indigenous culture - its values, art, and spiritual beliefs - in helping her to develop a sense of self and seeing through rough times, including residential school experiences.

Subject categories


  • Women > Cultural GroupsWorking Life
  • Work and Labour Relations > Cultural GroupsPortraitsWomenWorking Life
  • Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) > Cultural IdentityResidential SchoolsWomenWork
  • Indigenous Studies > History/PoliticsIdentity/SocietyIssues and Contemporary Challenges
  • Indigenous Economies > Aquatic & Fisheries
  • Indigenous Governance General (Modern, Contemporary) > British Columbia Government & Organizational Administration
  • Roles & Relationships > Feminism & Women
  • Nature & Ecological Knowledge > Fishing & Harvesting
  • Indigenous Peoples: Canada > Ktunaxas (Kootenays) (Kinbasket)
  • Justice System & Indigenous People > Legal Aid & Services
  • Education > Residential Schools History, Personal Accounts, Experience Teachers & Teacher Training

Credits


director
Carol Geddes
producer
Barbara Janes
executive producer
Kathleen Shannon
script
Carol Geddes
Gloria Demers
cinematography
Joan Hutton
Elise Swerhone
Carlos Ferrand
sound
Aerlyn Weissman
Richard Nichol
Esther Auger
editing
Ginny Stikeman
sound editing
Louise Blais
Anne Whiteside
Julian Olson
re-recording
Jean-Pierre Joutel
Shelley Craig
narrator
Gail Valaskakis
music
Judy Henderson

Awards


  • Bronze Apple Award - Category: Social Studies / Women's IssuesNational Educational Media Network Competition