Director's Note
In between oil-rich Calgary where I live and the tourist town of Banff, there is an Indian reserve. The first time I visited it I was shocked by the broken down homes, the levels of addiction, and the lack of basic infrastructure. How is it possible that we have such levels of poverty in the middle of a land of wealth?
However, I had no aboriginal friends to ask about the situation. The few interactions I did have through media or on the streets were generally not positive. And like many Canadians, my grasp of the history was superficial. I decided I had to learn more. So I headed on a road trip across traditional Blackfoot territory with Cowboy Smithx as my guide and a film crew for documentation.
Elder in the Making is my personal way of exploring the forces of history large and small that has led us to where we are now. It is an invitation for you to connect with a rich and diverse aboriginal culture that has much to share about our home and about our relationship with the land.
The film is only a small start on a long road of reconciliation. Below you will find other ways to engage such as face-to-face workshops, educational material, and resources. Reconciliation is a multi-generational affair that requires an on-going repair and renewal of a relationship with the people that helped build our country. It is my hope that you can be a part of it.
– Chris Hsiung, Producer and Director
Get Educational License
Elder in the Making is a film that crosses many disciplines and curriculum. History, music, ecology, indigenous stories, and questions of identity and the meaning of becoming an elder are integrated together. Purchase an educational license where you will get the film divided into six episodes for easy presentation in the classroom. In addition, receive curriculum support material, bonus material and resources as they are developed.
Organize a Screening
This film gives audiences a starting point for discussing the troubled and hopeful relationship between First Nations, settlers and newcomers. Consider organizing a public screening. Contact us for details how to go about it.
Request a Workshop
We also offer half-day and full-day workshops where participants will have a chance learn more about the stories behind Elder in the Making and get into in-depth conversations on topics ranging from the numbered treaties to residential school. Contact us for more information.
We Are All Treaty People. Or Are We?
Often I am asked, what inspired me as a newcomer to learn more about Treaty 7? What inspired the roadtrip that became Elder in the Making? As it turns out, it all began with an acknowledgement. Just a few years ago I started hearing an acknowledgement about being on...
Wîsahkêcâhk – Tales from the land
When we approached Billy Joe Laboucan to tell a Wîsahkêcâhk story for the Royal Alberta Museum, he was keen to do it. Then we squeamishly asked, “Can you tell a story in three minutes?” His response was “Absolutely not! There’s no such thing as a three-minute...
Experimental Learning Initiative – Teaching kids to live two worlds: bush world and city world
11-year old Jerome Cardinal asked me while we were out at his grandfather’s hunting cabin in Northern Alberta, “Have you shot a moose?” “No,” I replied. “How about a deer?” he continued. “Nope” Exasperated, Jerome exclaimed, “Have you killed anything for food?!” He...Get our Electronic Press Kit (high-resolution)
“The land is like our mother. It is the source of life.”
Narcisse Blood“The treaty we broke was the unwritten one based on trust and a commitment to help.”
Chris Hsiung“I started questioning my last name, Smith. What the heck was up with that? That’s not a Blackfoot name.”
Cowboy SmithxLatest News
Artsdance: Unique gathering for artists, educators and Elders
We are proud to be a part of the first Artsdance in Calgary. Cowboy Smithx, Rio Mitchell and Barry Bilinsky organized this wonderful event at Mount Royal University for artists, educators and Indigenous Elders of the land. Artsdance involved Calgary-based arts...
National Aboriginal Week in Calgary
We are keeping the circle strong. Joining this week-long celebration of events that promote pride, understanding and awareness of Aboriginal cultures, traditions, contributions and achievements. If you haven’t had the chance to watch Elder in the Making, join us...
Making Treaty 7 trailer
Being a part of Making Treaty 7 was great inspiration and incubator for Elder in the Making. Watch the trailer we put together and don’t forget to go and see the show. Eye opening, touching, funny and hilarious. Follow Making Treaty 7 on Facebook....
We need your help!
Alberta Distance Learning has commissioned us to produce a series of short videos to teach high school students about Treaty 6, 7, and 8. We need to create contacts across all three Treaty areas, but since we are based in Treaty 7 we need external help to develop...
Aboriginal Awareness Week in Ottawa
Chris and Cowboy were honoured to be guest speakers for armchair discussion organized by The Canada School of Public Service. Under the theme Reconciliation through Art: the panel discussion will feature Chris Hsiung, Cowboy Smithx and André Lewis, Artistic Director,...
Working with students from Mount Royal University
So exciting! We’ve got a student team from MRU spending this spring and summer working on building educational resources for the film. Interviewing the director, focus sessions with educators, field trips to the nations… Do you have ideas? Are you...
A documentary film requires an enormous amount of collaboration. We will need camera operators, sound recordists, a sound designer, editors, a colourist, a writer, a graphic artist, performers, marketers, and many others. Elder in the Making also needs a community of people who care about the story, want to learn more about it, and will share the story with others. You can help us make this happen.