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Tessa Desnomie (2)
Tessa Desnomie
Tessa Desnomie comes from the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. She studied at the First Nations University of Canada where she researched the traditional work of Indigenous women, and with First Stories: ati-wîcahsin (It's Getting Easier), she celebrates the Woodland Cree culture of her grandmother Jane Merasty. With Second Stories: It Had to Be Done, she confronts the intractable legacy of Canada’s residential school system through the testimony of two survivors. Desnomie has worked in event management, coordinating the opening and closing ceremonies for the North American Indigenous Games, and produced educational videos through Regina’s Studio 10 Productions.
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First Stories - ati-wîcahsin (It's Getting Easier)Tessa Desnomie 2007 6 minIn this short film, filmmaker Tessa Desnomie celebrates the life and times of her grandmother, Jane Merasty. Born and raised on the trapline, this Woodlands Cree woman has witnessed significant changes throughout her vigorous 80 years. First Stories is an emerging filmmaker program for Indigenous youth which produced 3 separate collections of short films from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Produced in association with CBC, APTN, SCN, SaskFilm and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND. -
Second Stories - It Had to Be DoneTessa Desnomie 2008 22 minThis short documentary explores the legacy of residential schools through the eyes of two extraordinary women who not only lived it, but who, as adults, made the surprising decision to return to the school that had affected their lives so profoundly. This intimate and moving film affirms their strength and dignity in standing up and making a difference on their own terms. Second Stories follows on the heels of the enormously successful First Stories project, which produced 3 separate collections of short films from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Second Stories builds on that success by continuing the training with 3 of the 12 Indigenous filmmakers who delivered such compelling short documentaries. Produced in association with CBC, APTN, SCN, SaskFilm and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND.
