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The Gift of Diabetes

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2005 58 min
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This feature-length documentary explores the diabetes epidemic within Indigenous communities in Canada. Ojibway filmmaker Brion Whitford lives with the pain of advanced diabetes, but shunned traditional Indigenous medicine and healing practices. But as his health deteriorated, he had a change of heart. Join Brion as he connects with his culture, comes to grips with his own mortality, and tries to re-establish balance in his life.

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The Gift of Diabetes

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This feature-length documentary explores the diabetes epidemic within Indigenous communities in Canada. Ojibway filmmaker Brion Whitford lives with the pain of advanced diabetes, but shunned traditional Indigenous medicine and healing practices. But as his health deteriorated, he had a change of heart. Join Brion as he connects with his culture, comes to grips with his own mortality, and tries to re-establish balance in his life.

Health and Medicine Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) All subjects
Indigenous Cinema
  • director
    O. Brion Whitford
    John Paskievich
  • writer
    O. Brion Whitford
  • editor
    Don Steggles
  • producer
    Joe MacDonald
    John Paskievich
  • camera
    Charles Konowal
    Claude Savard
    John Paskievich
  • sound recordist
    Craig Lapp
    Russ Dyck
    Jay Garuk
    Marvin Polanski
    Norman Dugas
  • original music composer
    Richard Moody
  • music performer
    Richard Moody
  • narrator
    O. Brion Whitford
  • online editor
    Tony Wytinck
  • re-recording mixer
    Howard Rissin
  • sound editor
    Anita Lubosch
  • camera assistant
    Karine Guay
    Sheldon Roulette
    Andrea Hardy
    Jason Heke
    Keith Eidse
  • key grip
    John Holowka
  • logging assistant
    Lorne Olsen
  • production manager
    Sandra Moore
  • production coordinator
    Melanie Coad
    Monique Perron
    Rolande Petit
  • program administrator
    Cyndi Forcand
  • marketing manager
    Leslie Stafford
  • production supervisor
    Scott Collins
  • photo animation
    Scott Collins
  • executive producer
    Michael Scott
    Graydon McCrea

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Education

Ages 15 to 17
School subjects
Family Studies/Home Economics - Family Diversity and Challenges Indigenous Studies - Identity/Society
Ask students how it could be important to know their family history. Have students interview their eldest family member and create a timeline of that relative's life. After, have students use the information to write a poem or short story based on their family's lineage.
The Gift of Diabetes
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