Seeking Bimaadiziiwin is a 31 minute fictional drama that deals with
the tough issues ...
This film deals with the tough issues of depression, suicide and racism.
It is intended for therapeutic use with clients to encourage participation
in group therapy and to spark discussion about these critical issues. It
also serves to illustrate the diversity within modern Anishinawbe culture
and to point out that different healing and spiritual approaches need to
be used with different clients. This production is written by Michelle Derosier
of Thunderstone
Pictures and was shot on Super 16mm film for maximum production
value.
Seeking Bimaadiziiwin
Reserve life, family problems and the death of a close friend push
Kaitlyn, a young Anishinawbe woman, into a deep depression. Following
a suicide attempt and a lengthy hospital stay in a strange city, she
is encouraged by her psychiatrist to participate in group therapy with
three other Anishinawbe youth. The four group members represent the
four directions and the diversity that is found within Native culture.
Reluctant at first, she and the others in the group begin to find strength
and support in each other. They grow through the relationships built
with one another and their culture. However, a series of events and
losses continue to make Kaitlyn's recovery uncertain. It's not until
she almost loses one of her new close friends, that she begins to see
clearly how precious life is.
Accompanying the drama is a 45-minute educational
documentary designed to help health workers become more "culturally competent" when
working with First Nations clients.
The First Nation Initiative
(FNI) is steered by a committee
of First Nations health professionals from various organizations in
Thunder Bay and is coordinated by Dr. Paul Mulzer of the Lakehead Psychiatric
Hospital.
Both films are the first full co-productions of Thunderstone
Pictures and Shebandowan Films.
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