‘I’m constantly afraid. Even if I know I am doing the right things, I am still constantly afraid of the fear that someone could even take my kids.’
I really like the look of this film, directed by Matt Smiley, about the impact of colonisation on Indigenous peoples of Canada. You can see the trailer on Youtube and find out more about when the film is available on the film’s website. The film’s director encourages people to contact him to find out more.
FOR LOVE is a film of resilience and resurgence. Colonization has led to many adverse impacts on the Indigenous population of Canada – most significantly on familial and societal structures. Due to colonial regimes, Indigenous children are vastly overrepresented in the child welfare system. In 2018, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs deemed the issue “a humanitarian crisis.” Travelling across the country, Indigenous people tell their heartbreaking stories to reveal the atrocities inflicted by the Canadian child welfare system. The film shines a light on what is happening right now. It details the horrors of the past and reveals how Indigenous communities are taking back jurisdictional control of their children in order to ensure that their unique and diverse cultures are preserved for generations to come. Awakening a revived respect for the matriarchal system, we learn about the need to preserve traditional practices, land-based activities and grass roots initiatives in order to keep having a positive impact on children and families – not only reducing the number of apprehensions, but also renewing Indigenous pride.