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Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief

1986 28 min
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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 while emphasizing the importance …

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Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief

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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 while emphasizing 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.

  • 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

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Education

Ages 16 to 18
School subjects

How does this film encourage the dismantling of negative stereotypes imposed on Indigenous people? What obstacles and barriers for success do Indigenous women face today and in the past? Research and discuss the significance of matrilineal societies within varying distinct First Nations groups across Canada. What contributed to the shift in matrilineal societies of Indigenous nations? How can connection to traditional Indigenous culture encourage resilience and flourishing? Explain how First Nations women’s existence today is a testimony of strength.

Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief
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