Poundmaker's Lodge: A Healing Place - DVD
Catalogue Number: NFB528357
Producer: National Film Board Of Canada
Producers: Alanis Obomsawin, Marrin Canell, Robert Verrall, Andy Thomson
Directors: Alanis Obomsawin
Producing Agencies: National Film Board of Canada (Montreal), Office national du film du Canada (Montreal)
Subject: Abuse, Canadian Social Issues, Documentary, First Nations Studies, Health and Medicine, Indigenous Peoples, Medicine, Safety, Social Issues, Social Studies
Language: English
Country Of Origin: Canada
Copyright Year: 1987
Running Time: 29:27
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Just north of the City of Edmonton lies Poundmaker’s Lodge, an addiction and mental-health facility specializing in treatment for Indigenous people. Founded in 1973 and still operational today, the Lodge’s programs and services are Indigenous-run and based in culturally appropriate recovery and healing techniques. Framing the short documentary with the words of the great Plains Cree Chief Pîhtokahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker), Alanis Obomsawin presents a frank examination of the root causes of substance abuse in Indigenous communities and how the absence of love and support – exacerbated by the impacts of colonialism and racism – created a legacy of alcoholism for some individuals. Through searing and emotional testimonies of people in the Lodge, this work presents portraits of courage and perseverance, and hope for future generations.