Birth of a Family Documentary Event

Hosted by Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle & Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin

A Documentary Screening and Community Conversation

As we approach The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day of remembrance, reflection, action, and learning, we’d like to invite everyone to a free screening of the film Birth of a Family.  This documentary is an informative and poignant story detailing the truth about the “Sixties Scoop” and the impact these destructive events had on the families, heritage, tradition, and identities of Indigenous Peoples. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with local Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Sixties Scoop Survivors, Community Advocates and the Working Together – Wiijinokiiwag Program Facilitator for a discussion about how we can create a better future for all people.

 

About the Documentary

Synopsis: In this deeply moving feature-length documentary, three sisters and a brother meet for the first time. Removed from their young Dene mother during the infamous Sixties Scoop, they were separated as infants and adopted into families across North America. Betty Ann, Esther, Rosalie, and Ben were only four of the 20,000 Indigenous Canadian children taken from their families between 1955 and 1985, to be either adopted into white families or live in foster care. As the four siblings piece together their shared history, their connection deepens, and their family begins to take shape.

Event Details

Tickets are now SOLD OUT.

Thank-you to everyone for the incredible response to this event.

Date: September 28, 2022

Time: Screening & Panel Discussion 7:00 – 9:30pm

Panelists:

Heather McIntyre: Working Together – Wiijinokiiwag Project Coordinator and Lead Facilitator, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin.

Myiingan Minonaakwhe (Jeff Monague): Elder and a knowledge keeper in his community, Language Carrier, Educator, musician, former Chief of the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island, former Director of Treaty Research with the Anishnabek (Union of Ontario Indians), a Canadian Forces Veteran, and Park Superintendent of Springwater Park.

Steve Beaupre: Skaabawis- Community Helper, Sixties Scoop Survivor, Red Road to Recovery Team Facilitator and Educator (BANAC, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin).

Hilton: Elder and Knowledge Keeper, Community Advocate, Sixties Scoop Survivor, Community Worker (DBSF).

Location: Best Western PLUS Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre, 400 Memorial Ave., Orillia ON L3V 6J3

Get Involved: Sponsorship Opportunities

We are no longer looking for sponsors for this event, however if you would like to be a part of an engaging and informative community-building event in the future, please contact:

Rosi Martin

Relationship Manager
rmartin@uwsimcoemuskoka.ca

705.726.2301 x2035

Wiijinokiiwag Logo

While not required, donations will be collected for this event. Funds raised will be directed to Wiijinokiiwag – Working Together, a trauma-informed and wholistic community mobilization initiative focused on creating conversations and community awareness that enhances life promotion and cultural safety education that saves lives and creates new collaborations of the future for all peoples to thrive. Grounded in Indigenous teachings, knowledge and concepts that have been learned through the team’s network of Knowledge Carriers, Storytellers and Elders, Working Together – Wiijinokiiwag is providing training to frontline service and mainstream organizations that provide supports and services to Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Agency Partners: CMHA Simcoe County, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Gilbert Centre

Event Sponsored by Enbridge. Life takes energy.