#listuguj

[dalishious]

Hi, I don't know if anyone else has asked you this, but I don't like that they changed the way they pronounced the Elvish in Dragon Age the veilguard.

It doesn't really bother me. I just chalk it up to regional differences. You should hear how many variations there are my people's language; folks from Eskasoni sound very different from Listuguj for example.

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 11 June 1981, the first of two violent raids by Québec police took place on the Listuguj (Restigouche) reserve of the Miꞌgmaq First Nations people. Officers in full riot gear attacked the reserve, while 35 boatloads of game wardens came ashore to shut down fishing by Mi'gmaq people. During the first raid police seized 100 fishing nets, arrested nine people and was accused of brutally beating others, like fisherman Randy Morrison, who reportedly stated: "I was trying to get out of the way of a group of policemen. A group of them grabbed, handcuffed, and then beat me with their sticks." On June 20, police returned, blockading the area and firing rubber bullets and tear gas. While the government claimed to be acting for conservation reasons, at the same time as shutting down salmon fishing by First Nations people, increasing oil exploration on Indigenous land was continuing apace. At the time there was speculation that the raids were to assert Québec's control of salmon fishing as a precursor to potential independence. Clashes continued in the aftermath of the raids, with two Indigenous people shot by police and another reserve raided by a mob of white Canadians who destroyed a Native salmon net. The second raids were filmed in a landmark documentary by Indigenous director Alanis Obomsawin in her film, Incident at Restigouche. Learn about Indigenous genocide and resistance in the Americas in this book: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/products/500-years-of-indigenous-resistance-gord-hill https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=642632851243267&set=a.602588028581083&type=3

[atlanticcanada]

Meet the Listuguj man bringing Mi'kmaw language to the radio

The We Speak Mi’gmaq show draws a loyal audience of more than 1,000 regular listeners, tuning in on the radio and online from across Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It’s one of the few places speakers and those learning the language can hear it on the radio.

from CBC | Nova Scotia News https://ift.tt/wzvldkx

[phonaesthemes]

On a warm, clear day in February, Brenda Germain picks up a large hand drill and asks her students to gather around.

Drill in hand, she shows the children how to cut through the thick ice covering Chaleur Bay, on Quebec's Gaspé coast.

"Pase'g mgumi — the ice is this thick," her colleague and aunt, Joyce Germain, tells the students as they kneel over the  hole, hoping to catch some smelt, or kaqpesaw.

The class outing is being held entirely in Mi'kmaw — a language that Brenda Germain says she "didn't speak a word" of, just a decade earlier.

"I spent 35 years of my life thinking, 'ah man, I missed the boat,'" she said.

But her life — and her teaching career — took a sharp turn in 2018, when she switched roles in the classroom. Brenda Germain enrolled as a student in the Mi'kmaw adult immersion program, offered by the Elawsimgewei Gina'muo'guom Adult Education Centre in Listuguj, Que.

In addition to the classes, "just from coming out on the land with [Miss] Joyce every day has taught me" the language, she said.

"It's super important to tell people: no matter what age you are, you can start somewhere."

[smalltalkwithme]

Listuguj

[socscilearn]

New book, Nipugtug, for elementary students by Mi'kmaw author Emma Metallic from Listuguj, Quebec. The story is based in Listuguj. Would be good for cycle 3 #SocSciLEARN #Ed4RecLEARN #Quebecauthors https://t.co/kBe7OylJx3 — Stacy Anne Allen (@stacyanneallen) Dec 9, 2023

—

[radical-pedagogy-reflection]

Indigenous Resistance Through Film

Obomsawin reimages Indigeneity through the medium of filmmaking. Following the lives of Indigenous people across “Canada,” and taking a particular interest in their struggle for sovereignty and state recognition, Obomsawin renegotiates the objective, omnipotent presence of the documentary filmmaker and rather positions herself within the struggle, centering Indigenous culture, history, and experiences as the argument, evidence, and conclusion of her films. Therefore, her work contests twofold; firstly the ways in which documentary filmmaking as a medium has been used in the colonial sense to control public perception/understanding of a certain event, people, or history, and secondly, the subject matter of her films — seminal Indigenous issues and events in Canada — expose the continuous colonial violence that is enacted upon by all levels of government towards Indigenous people, whilst challenging official histories and narratives about Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people. Her films continue to see what the rest of the county cannot see, or chooses to ignore.

Obomsawin’s filmmaking practice begins with listening. Often, before any second that is caught on camera, she will go into the community that she is working with alone, without a crew or a camera, and engage in conversation and daily life. She insists on building relationships and connections first, attentive to witnessing before any act of producing. Her participatory style of filmmaking adapts the didactic documentary tradition. Obomsawin appears in all of her films, seated in homes interviewing subjects, engaging with children in schools, or barricaded behind the lines during a resistance. You will often hear her voice encouraging subjects during interviews, or laughing with a group. Her presence throughout the films reminds viewers of her intimate, intrinsic connection to the subject matter — as an Indigenous woman she is just as much shaped and informed by the events, communities, and histories that she documents. 

The subject matter of Obomsawin’s films speak to the ongoing effects of settler colonialism, genocide, persecution, and state surveillance of Indigenous people. Incident at Restigouche (1984) follows the raids on the Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation by the Quebec provincial police, as an effort of imposing restrictions on their fishing rights, Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child (1986) is a devastating examination of Canada's child welfare system in regards to the (mis)treatment of Indigenous children and youth, and the harm that the system causes. Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), her first feature-length film, is filmed at a residential school in northern Ontario around Christmas time, Hi-Ho Mistahey! (2013) follows the campaign Shannen’s Dream, which lobbies for improved educational opportunities for Indigenous youth, and examines the on-going impacts of the lack of proper education for Indigenous youth, and Our People Will Be Healed (2017) profiles the Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Centre in Norway House Cree Nation, the structure of the school, offering a vision for what Indigenous based education could look like in the future, whilst recognizing the challenges the school is facing today.

Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993) documents the Kanehsatà:ke Resistance/Oka Crisis and is the most well known of Obomsawin’s films. Had it not been for Obomsawin and her crew documenting 250 hours worth of footage behind the barricade, in standoff with the military, and at the end of resistance, the public memory of this event would have been shaped solely by one-sided government press releases, limited CBC reporting, and Prime Minister Mulroney asserting that the Mohawk warriors were dangerous criminals with illegal weapons. Emotive, intense moments behind the barricade, articulated through interviews with individual Mohawk warriors, offer a closer account of the events instead. Obomsawin’s uncompromising and partisan view of what occurred at the Oka golf course gave way for Mohawk historical narratives to be re-articulated and Indigenous efforts for self-determination to be legitimised.

[newsakd]

[ad_1] Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish cried tears of joy as she huddled with six other firefighters on Saturday during the award ceremony for the Quebec Aboriginal Firefighters Competition in Listuguj, over 500 kilometers northeast of Quebec City.The team of seven women from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach came in second, just behind Kahnawà:ke firefighters, after competing in the obstacle and fitness event."That's still a win for us. It felt like first place," said Einish-Shecanapish."It was a lot of emotions, because for me it's a very good, new experience to do something like this," she said. "Especially for my kids: They can look up to me and see that their mom is really doing something positive."From left to right, Marina Uniam, Melissa Peastitue, Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish, Shania Mameamskum, Esther Elizabeth Tooma, Priscilla Sandy and Joyce Einish pictured at the compeition. In front are the team's coaches, Andy John Dominique and Billy Moffat. (Submitted by Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish)Fellow firefighter Esther Elizabeth Tooma says the team was nervous heading into Saturday's competition as they were the only all-female team. Although their expectations weren't too high, Tooma says her son was there to watch her team be named runner-up."He's 11 years old and he was so proud during that competition," said Tooma."I started training last year," said Tooma. "Anything is possible. To achieve what you want in life and if your world is falling apart, you can still keep going."As part of their training, the team of women was put through exercises and courses over the past 2.5 months. (Submitted by Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish)Being only female team 'was intimidating at first'Last weekend marked the team's second time being the only all-women team at the competition."It was very intimidating at first," said firefighter Shania Mameamskum.At last year's competition, she says they placed fourth out of seven teams. She hopes their participation in this event can inspire others."They were very proud, especially my mom and my dad," said Mameamskum.Einish-Shecanapish joined the fire service two years ago following in the footsteps of a respected female firefighter in town who, as the only firefighter on call, led the response to a fire at an abandoned daycare building years ago."To me, when I saw that, it felt so empowering as a woman, you know. That's my story. That's when I thought, 'I'm gonna join in the future. I just have to wait for my moment,'" said Einish-Shecanapish.The seven women travelled to Listuguj for the competition. (Submitted by Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish)When she was recruited two years ago, there were only two women on the service.This year was a particularly sweet moment for Einish-Shecanapish, who is still in training and working toward her certification alongside the other women. She had to miss last year's competition due to the death of a family member."I was at my brother's funeral and some of the girls asked me why I wasn't joining the firefighter competition. I told them 'I'm going through a rough time, but I will be there next year,' which is this year," said Einish-Shecanapish.LISTEN | All-female firefighter team are runners-up at firefighters competition: Breakaway8:36All-female firefighter team from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach come home with a medal from the Quebec Aboriginal Firefighters CompetitionA team of seven firefighters from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach took home second place at a firefighter competition last weekend. CBC's Rachel Watts spoke with a firefighter who was part of the only all-women team at the competition hoping to inspire others.Team trained for more than 2 monthsThe women started training with coaches Billy Moffet and Andy John Dominique two-and-a-half months ago, four days a week in preparation — flipping tires, running and preparing hoses while dressed in their gear."It was very intense the first weeks," said Einish-Shecanapish."A few weeks before we left the competition, it was every day. Even on a hot, hot day, we would have to wear our bunker gear. All the women were sweating."The gear felt particularly heavy and hot during some of the training days, said Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish. (Submitted by Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish)'Hopefully I get to see another all woman team next year'The day of the competition, Einish-Shecanapish says they completed various obstacle courses. At one point, she says her team nearly lost control of one of the hoses, but kept going."Some of the guys came up to us and [said] 'That's really good what you did. And, like, you guys didn't quit,'" said Einish-Shecanapish."That's because they saw some other teams in the past where they messed up and they just called it quits."When the team returned home late Monday, she says they were greeted by their kids, parents and families."Everybody had a message from their family of how proud they were of us. And we cried and were so happy," said Einish-Shecanapish.The women were welcomed back home by family and friends who were proud of their accomplishment at the competition. (Submitted by Louisa-Pearl Einish-Shecanapish)What makes Einish-Shecanapish even prouder is how many more women participated this year. She says last year the other teams were composed of only male firefighters."I told my team that you guys probably inspired the women to join the competition, which is very honourable … It's beautiful to see that," said Einish-Shecanapish."Hopefully I get to see another all-woman team next year." [ad_2] Source link

[allthecanadianpolitics]

From the Facebook page for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, November 16, 2020:

PETITION:

THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW BRUNSWICK IS DENYING FIRST NATIONS' STUDENTS ACCESS TO THEIR OWN SCHOOL, CONTRARY TO THEIR OWN LAW

The Listuguj First Nation is located on the Quebec side of the Quebec/New Brunswick border, and the youth of the Listuguj First Nation attend a school on the New Brunswick side of the border called Sugarloaf Senior High School. The New Brunswick government is now illegally denying Listuguj First Nation students access to their OWN high school.

For the first few weeks of September, students were permitted to go to school at Sugarloaf, as they always have. Suddenly, they were told that they were only allowed to “attend” Sugarloaf remotely, and that physical attendance was forbidden. Over 90 Listuguj First Nation students are now being denied access to their own high school.

This is an outrage. Adding to the outrage is that what Listuguj First Nation is being subjected to by the New Brunswick government is contrary to its own emergency order which has an explicit exception for “residents of Listuguj First Nation and Point-la-Croix, Quebec”. If this leaves you, like us, scratching your head or asking “what gives?” – you’re not alone.

If that isn’t confusing enough, the New Brunswick government is allowing school staff who live in the Listuguj First Nation to cross the border to work at Sugarloaf. The New Brunswick Government’s actions would be laughable, except that over 90 Listuguj First Nations’ students now cannot go to their own school, denying them access to the education that their peers in New Brunswick are receiving daily.

CCLA is gravely concerned about this – students are being denied access to their school and the Government of New Brunswick appears to be openly flouting its own laws. On November 4, 2020 CCLA wrote to the Government of New Brunswick with our concerns, and objected to the actions they were taking.

The Government of New Brunswick is denying students of Listuguj First Nation physical access to their school and the opportunity to learn in a classroom with their peers. Add your name to the list to help us stand up to power, and ensure these students are able to attend their own high school.

Sign the petition here: https://ccla.org/nbborderrestriction/

[tepkunset]

Solidarity in wanting mi'kmaw language lessons... I'm trying so hard to learn from the kina'matnewey apps and the online listuguj lexicon but that only goes so far. Really hope you get the chance to access some more solid learning supports someday soon, nitap!!!

🖤🖤🖤

[laresearchette]

Saturday, May 08, 2021 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: BABY, IT’S COLD INSIDE (W Network)

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT MEMORIES OF A MURDER (TBD - Lifetime Canada) PINK SKIES AHEAD (TBD)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME/CRAVE/NETFLIX CANADA/CBC GEM:

NETFLIX CANADA MINE SUPER ME

2021 WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP (TSN) 11:00am: Qualification (TSN/TSN3) 5:00pm: Semifinal (TSN/TSN3) 9:30pm: Semifinal

MLB BASEBALL (SN1) 1:00pm: Nationals vs. Yankees (SN1) 7:00pm: Jays vs. Astros

MLS SOCCER (TSN4/TSN5) 1:00pm: NY Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC (TSN/TSN4) 3:00pm: Whitecaps FC vs. CF Montreal

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 3:00pm: Rangers vs. Bruins (SN/CBC) 7:00pm: Habs vs. Leafs (SNWest/SN360/City) 7:00pm: Sens vs. Jets (SN/CBC) 10:00pm: Canucks vs. Oilers

NBA BASKETBALL (SNNOW+) 7:00pm: Pistons vs. 76ers (TSN4/TSN5) 7:30pm: Grizzlies vs. Raptors (TSN4/TSN5) 11:00pm: Nets vs. Nuggets

GESPE'GEWA'GI: THE LAST LAND (APTN) 7:00pm: Despite conflict with the DFO, Listuguj launches its fall commercial lobster fishery, looking toward a future of increased self-governance and economic success.

THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WILD WEST (APTN) 7:30pm: The first-ever Calgary Stampede attracts competitors from all over North America; Tom Three Persons soon takes all the glory when he enters the prestigious bronc riding competition.

DEAD OVER HEELS: AN AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERY (CTV) 8:00pm: Librarian and real crime buff Aurora Roe Teagarden never liked Detective Sergeant Jack Burns. She also never wanted to see him dead, but when he winds up murdered, she can't help but get involved.

CARNIVAL EATS (Food Network Canada) 8:00pm (SEASON FINALE): Melty, ooey-gooey carnival treats; truffle grilled cheese at the St. Paul Winter Carnival; the mac and cheeseball burger at the Kentucky State Fair; cannoli calzone; apple pie cheesecake.

BEWARE OF MOM (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm: A woman tries to save her teenage daughter from a wild neighborhood mother who wants to steal her away.

MOM’S DAY AWAY (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm: A happily married woman (Bonnie Somerville) learns valuable lessons while spending Mother's Day weekend away from her family.

GOING NATIVE (APTN) 8:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE):  Drew Hayden Taylor seeks to learn the Indigenous story of the horse by meeting a daredevil family of Indian relay racers, encountering a Navajo horse whisperer, and by exploring a unique wild horse sanctuary in the foothills of the Rockies.

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE DOWN UNDER (Crave 3) 9:00pm: It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for, as the Queen’s don their best celebrity get-up to compete in the infamous celebrity impression Olympics. It’s Snatch Game, baby!

TENET (Crave) 9:00pm: A secret agent embarks on a dangerous, time-bending mission to prevent the start of World War III.

HOT ONES (Global) 1:00am/1:30am: Thomas Middleditch/Andy Cohen

[atlanticcanada]

Kindergarten Mi'kmaw immersion program aims to keep the language strong in Listuguj, Que.

Two Mi'kmaw teachers from Listuguj, Que. are on the front lines of language revitalization with their Forest Kindergarten class. They have incorporated everyday words into the classic school curriculum through outdoor learning, including some ice fishing on Chaleur Bay, in the Gaspé region.

from CBC | New Brunswick News https://ift.tt/UmdqGhb

[natehoodreviews]

400 Words on BLOOD QUANTUM [2019] ★★½

Zombie immunity is an idea that’s been toyed around with before in zombie media, but perhaps never as directly as in Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum. The idea is simple: what if First Nations peoples—and only First Nations peoples—were immune from the zombie virus during a zombie apocalypse? Suddenly the same white people that killed their ancestors and eradicated their cultures must rely on them to survive. It’s a reversal I’m somewhat surprised hasn’t been explored before, as it offers opportunities for the same kind of social commentary that George A. Romero made with his Living Dead franchise. Shot mostly at the Kahnawake and Listuguj reserves in Quebec, Canada with a primarily First Nations cast and crew, Blood Quantum represents a new kind of indigenous genre cinema. However, the film itself is a mishmash of cliches and boring stock characters. Its main flaw is its structure, as it feels like the pilot and finale episodes of a television series like The Walking Dead. The first half-hour sets up all the major and bit players in the moments leading up to the initial outbreak—“Z-Day,” if you will. They’re all characters we’ve met before in one way or another, all moody parents and authority figures and angst-ridden teenagers with their own emotional demons. They’re so collectively dull that they grind the first act to halt as they putter around their community and monotonously mutter about this and that. It’s only after the first act ends and the story jumps ahead six months that the film snaps awake. Now all the characters live in a post-apocalyptic compound guarded by hockey mask-wearing fighters armed with chainsaws, shotguns, and, in one incredible instance, a samurai sword. The immune First Nation survivors struggle to keep the peace amongst themselves and the white survivors as they fight off the “zeds,” and it’s here that we can appreciate the film’s striking visual design and the eclectic supporting cast. (Fans of Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man [1995] will be delighted to see Gary “Stupid F**king White Man” Farmer show up as Moon, the compound’s axe-bearing enforcer.) But the story is so tired and perfunctory in its beats that we can follow it with our eyes closed. Blood Quantum may be the one of the first indigenous zombie films, but we’re going to need at least one more to get it right.

[phonaesthemes]

Mary Ann Naokwegijig-Corbiere

Mary Ann Naokwegijig-Corbiere, originally from Wikwemikong First Nation, is an assistant professor in Indigenous Studies at the University of Sudbury and has been teaching Nishnaabemwin for the last three decades. She is one of two editors of the Nishnaabemwin: Odawa and Eastern Ojibwe Dictionary. She's been adding new words to the dictionary since 1997, after consulting with five communities in southern Ontario.

"It's been a very involved process. I had no idea I'd still be at this over 20 years later," said Naokwegijig-Corbiere.

She said it's important to have resources accessible online, especially for her students once they move on from the university.

"They need something. So this is my main focus," she said. "When I wrote this dictionary, I wanted this to serve learners."

Karihwiióstha Callie Montour and Marion Konwanénhon Delaronde

Karihwiióstha Callie Montour and Marion Konwanénhon Delaronde are the co-hosts of a weekly radio show called Tewawennakará:tats in Kahnawake, Que. Montour started the program to create a space for learners of Kanien'kéha (the Mohawk language).

"A big barrier to learning language is being too afraid to make a mistake, too afraid to embarrass yourself, worrying what others think," she said.

"On this show we like to show people that it's OK to make a mistake. It's OK if you're not perfect. All that matters is that you try."

Delaronde is also the artistic director of the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center's children's show Tóta tánon Ohkwá:ri. Now in its 16th season, Delaronde said the goal is to contribute to a healthier community.

"Having access to language and culture programs, having the reinforcement, visibility that are our language is alive, our culture has always been alive, helps us on a community level to feel good about our identity and to understand our identity," said Delaronde.

Nikita Larter

For the past three years, Nikita Larter has been reclaiming her language. She is Sallirmiut Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., but grew up in a different part of the Northwest Territories and currently is living in Chicago. Her goal is to become fluent in Sallirmiutun Inuvialuktun, and she has been using online resources to learn vocabulary and basic conversational skills. One of the things she's been challenging herself to do is to replace English greetings in her daily life.

"It's a simple kind of challenge for yourself," she said.

"I stopped saying 'Congratulations' and 'Happy birthday' in my language for about a few months, and I totally forgot how to spell them. I realized how quickly it slips, so I've made an effort to integrate basic terminology back into my daily life."

Larter grew up away from her culture for most of her life, and decided to reclaim her language during her final year of university. When visiting home, a statistic in a book caught her eye. It stated that fewer than 500 people spoke the language, and that was back in 1980.

"That was really scary, and it affected me really personally because my grandma was the person that I knew who spoke it and she passed away a few years ago," said Larter.

"I'm really determined to learn it because that would have been a really meaningful connection to have with my grandma if she were still here, but also I have younger family members who are beginning to learn it in school. It would be really amazing for us to be able to speak it together."

Lola Vicaire

Lola Vicaire has been a Mi'kmaw language educator for the last decade. While she currently teaches staff at the Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat in Listuguj, Que., outside of her day job she also does translations, hosts workshops, and provides one-on-one lessons with community members.

Last year, she helped published two children's books for the Alaqsite'w Gitpu School's immersion program.

"It's a part of who I am," said Vicaire.

"When I first started language revitalization work, I didn't realize how important this work really was until I started to see the number of declining speakers."

At 31, she's the youngest fluent speaker in Listuguj who was raised with the Mi'kmaw language as her mother tongue.

"I have a very big responsibility to fight for the language, and share what I know," she said.

Belinda Daniels

Belinda Daniels, an educator in Saskatoon from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, is the founder of Nehiyawak Language Experience, a grassroots organization in its 16th year in operation offering a summer Cree language camp and monthly language workshops.

"I really believe that the spirit of the Cree language chose me to do this work, and I do this work to create awareness that there are Indigenous Peoples living here still speaking their language," said Daniels.

Daniels is also a PhD candidate at the University of Saskatchewan finishing up her dissertation this spring in language reclamation. She is also in the middle of co-writing a book, Let's Bring Cree Home, geared toward families.

"When we reclaim our language, we reclaim who we are and we reinstate that we belong here. So, language is practising sovereignty," said Daniels.

"Language rights are inherent. The Creator gave us this language. We do not have to wait for Canada's approval to speak our languages but Canada does have a duty to take the necessary action to protect Indigenous languages."

Sydney Roberts

Sydney Ma̱lidi Roberts has been studying at the University of British Columbia for the last six years to become a Kwak'wala teacher, with a specialization in Indigenous pedagogy. Her education has also focused on linguistic data preservation, which means learning how to use best practices around recording and preserving her people's language.

"That's kind of where I see my role in our people's language revitalization," she said.

"I'm an instrument for my ancestors. Every day I work through my ancestors and especially with our language, it's an everyday effort to save our language."

In January, she moved back to her community to further her cultural education, and has shared much of her language journey on Instagram.

"I think it's important that we not just preserve but continue to use our language in the everyday context and even if that means I'm on Instagram using my Kwak'wala all the time," she said.

"When you learn your language, you're learning the world view of your ancestors. I really take that to heart and I try to live through that every day."

[tlatollotl]

In Blood Quantum, the dead are coming back to life outside the isolated Mi’gMaq reserve of Red Crow, except for its indigenous inhabitants who are immune to the zombie plague. A tribal sheriff must protect his son’s pregnant girlfriend, apocalyptic refugees, and other members of the reserve from the hordes of walking white corpses. Above is a first look image from the movie.

Directed and written by Mi’gmaq filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, the movie stars Fear The Walking Dead and True Detective actor Michael Greyeyes,  Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (On the Farm) and Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant), and was produced by John Christou for Prospector Films and Rob Vroom. Madrona Drive will also executive produce.

The film recently wrapped shoot in Montreal, Canada and the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory as well as Barnaby’s hometown of Listuguj, Quebec. XYZ is set to screen a promo in Cannes.

The project is Barnaby’s sophomore feature film following Rhymes For Young Ghouls. Elevation Pictures will distribute in Canada, while Entract Films will distribute the film in Quebec. Bell Media’s Crave has the first-window broadcast rights in Canada. Financing was provided by Telefilm Canada, SODEC, Canadian Media Fund, and The Harold Greenberg Fund.

XYZ’s Cannes slate also includes Lorcan Finnegan’s Vivarium, which will have its world premiere in Critics’ Week, Joe Penna’s Stowaway, starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette, Benson & Moorhead’s Synchronic starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, Richard Stanley’s Color Out Of Space starring Nicolas Cage, and Jim Taihuttu’s The East with Marwan Kenzari and Martijn Lakemeier.

[extrabeurre]

Cinéma confinement : BLOOD QUANTUM de Jeff Barnaby

Présenté en ouverture de Midnight Madness au TIFF l’an dernier, ce deuxième long métrage du cinéaste québécois Jeff Barnaby devait sortir en salle ce printemps avant la fermeture de tous les cinémas pour les raisons qu’on connaît. Tourné à Kahnawake et à Listuguj, qui deviennent à l’écran la réserve fictive de Red Crow, Blood Quantum imagine une épidémie qui transforme la population en zombies, à l’exception des Autochtones, qui sont immunisés. 

Le premier acte raconte les 24 premières heures de l’épidémie, Z Day, alors que les différents personnages — notamment le shérif (Michael Greyeyes) et ses fils (Forrest Goodluck et Kiowa Gordon) — sont confrontés à des saumons, un chien et enfin des humains morts qui reviennent monstrueusement à la vie. Puis une ellipse nous amène 6 mois plus tard, dans un monde post-apocalyptique où nos héros tentent de survivre à partir d’une enceinte barricadée de toutes parts, que prend d’assaut un flot incessant de zombies, ainsi que nombre de réfugiés blancs, qui réclament l’aide des Autochtones.

L’atmosphère est assez intéressante, mais il y a un peu trop d’exposition par rapport au ratio d’action. Dans le sens où le film passe beaucoup de temps à expliquer les relations entre les personnages et l’évolution de la crise dans laquelle ils se retrouvent, plutôt que de simplement nous montrer leurs interactions et de dépeindre leur environnement visuellement. Cela dit, les moments de gore sont parfaitement dégueulasses et dégoulinants, et le troisième acte regorge de beaucoup d’entre eux, en plus d’être émotionnellement impitoyable. Dommage que tout le film ne soit pas aussi intense que, par exemple, les scènes où le grand-père (Stonehorse Lone Goeman) massacre des zombies à coup de katana...

  Blood Quantum est disponible en vidéo sur demande dès maintenant.