Finding Dawn

20061 h 13 min 29 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Christine Welsh

Production: Svend-Erik EriksenRina Fraticelli

Script: Christine Welsh

Dawn Crey. Ramona Wilson. Daleen Kay Bosse. These are just three of the estimated 500 Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada over the past thirty years. Directed by acclaimed Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh, Finding Dawn is a compelling documentary that puts a human face to this national tragedy.

This is an epic journey into the dark heart of Indigenous women's experience in Canada. From Vancouver's skid row, where more than 60 women are missing, we travel to the Highway of Tears in northern British Columbia, and onward to Saskatoon, where the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women remain unresolved.

Along the road to honour those who have passed, we uncover reason for hope. It lives in Indigenous rights activists Professor Janice Acoose and Fay Blaney. It drives events such as the annual Women's Memorial March in Vancouver and inspires communities all along the length of Highway 16 to come together to demand change.

Finding Dawn illustrates the deep historical, social and economic factors that contribute to the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women in this country. It goes further to present the ultimate message that stopping the violence is everyone's responsibility.

Subject categories


  • Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) > Adolescents and Young AdultsSocial ProblemsWomen
  • Social Issues > Canadian CommunitiesIndigenous PeoplesViolenceViolence Against Women
  • Women > Cultural GroupsViolence Against Women
  • Law and Crime > Indigenous PeoplesMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women and GirlsMurder
  • Civics/Citizenship > Human Rights
  • Indigenous Studies > Identity/SocietyIssues and Contemporary Challenges
  • History and Citizenship Education > Issues in Society Today
  • Roles & Relationships > Domestic AbuseSexual Assault/Rape
  • Justice System & Indigenous People > Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)

Credits


director
Christine Welsh
writer
Christine Welsh
producer
Svend-Erik Eriksen
editor
Janice Brown
director of photography
Moira Simpson
original music
Bruce Ruddell
music supervisor
Bruce Ruddell
narrator
Christine Welsh
location sound recording
Moira Simpson
sound design
Gael MacLean
sound supervision
Gael MacLean
music performer
Bruce Ruddell
Bill Henderson
music recording
Bill Henderson
graphic imaging
Jon Anastasiades
additional photography
Karen Duthie
additional sound
Sherry Antonishen
Daniel Shingoose
Jessica Wood
Colleen Craig
dialogue editor
Mark Hensley
production assistant
Jessica Wood
Banchi Hanuse
Natasha Beeds
Mary Suchell
Wendy Nahanee
production stills
Jessica Wood
Banchi Hanuse
Mary Suchell
clearances supervisor
Paula Sawadsky
research
Christine Welsh
Jessica Wood
Banchi Hanuse
assistant editor
Erin Cummings
transcription
Pamela Pellegrini
consultation
Edna Brass
re-recording mixer
Mark Hensley
Angelo Nicoloyannis
re-recording services
Post Modern Sound
on-line assembly
Keyframe Editing Inc.
post-production services
Rainmaker Digital Pictures
production coordinator
Christine Sears
technical coordinator
Wes Machnikowski
production supervisor
Kathryn Lynch
program administrator
Bruce Hagerman
executive producer
Rina Fraticelli

Awards


  • Gold Audience AwardAmnesty International Film Festival