What was the film about?
This film was about how the aboriginal peoples were trying to negotiate thier constitutional rights and the right to self government. The people from BC especially were expressing their concerns on how their natural resources were being destroyed and misused.
What time period was the film set?
This film was set in 1982 up to 1987.
What story was the film sharing?
The Story the film was sharing is how our constitutional rights were constantly overlooked and the talks for amending the constitution were ignored. The aboriginal peoples tried to explain to the Prime Ministers and premiers at the time how they had a right to the lands they destroyed and also the right they had to the land for their children and their grandchildren. They expressed how self governance was an important option for their communities so that they can manage the peoples affairs properly instead of depending on the federal government for handouts and incomplete schooling. The Aboriginal (our) people tried to develop an action plan on how to get the youth out of this "limbo" that most of the people were experiencing at the time. They explaing on how the government put thier children in schooling and by the time they were in grade 8 they were removed from the schooling system and put back on the reserve. The children lost vital time with their families and important teachings on how to hunt and provide for their communities leaving them dependant on government hand outs.
Do you know of any Mi'kmaq leaders who attended the Constitutional talks referred to in the film?
I am not aware of any mikmaq leaders that might have attended these constitutional talks referred to in this film.
What did you know of the constitutional talks before watching this film?
I knew very little to nothing of these talks although i would hear my mother awhile back mentioning about some things but they are very vague to me at the moment.
Who were the main characters in the film that stood out for you and why?
The main characters that stood out were the prime ministers Brian Mulrooney and Pierre Trudeau, and the primers. These people were the leaders of the country and well known. They had the power to help produce a positive outcome at the talks but chose not to do anything.
How do you feel about the responses of national leaders to concerns and issue raised by First Nation leaders on self government?
I felt the national leaders had unfair assumptions about how the aboriginal peoplesdid not know what was good for them and most of all howthey assumed that the people would not know how to manage or where incapable to manage themselves.
How did you feel after watching the film?
I felt that the First Nations were very poorly treated and it left me in awe on how very little respect was shown to other peoples beliefs and religions. The first part showed how Mr Trudeau had very little respect during the prayers and it does seem that he did not have any respect or care for the first nations.
Have First Nations' achieved any of the rights discussed during the film?
Overall what did you think about the film?
This film was very educational and realized how the first nations were and still are very passionate on their title to the land and rights. They remain very patient to the government policies and admire them on how they express on how they will never give up on any negotiationson the rights everu first nations rightfully has.
