Past July I have been hired as a camera woman for a documentary on wellbeing - a joint effort of the Federal Government of Canada and First Nations. It is a pilot project implemented in remote fly-in only Indigenous communities in far Ontario North. It's goal is to test a new model for community development and to improve health and wellbeing of its members. Director PJ Marcellino (When they awake) set out to film the results of this program a year later.
It was an absolute privilege to visit Anishinaabe communities of Webequie and Marten Falls. It was also heartbreaking to learn that there are severe housing issues and an absence of drinking water. Amazingly, the hearts of the people we encountered there were full of kindness. Our small crew went to the Sweat Lodge Ceremonies and on a forest journey with the medicine woman Elizabeth Achneepineskum. In return we held a few film screenings and taught some youth the filmmaking process.
One day I was wondering around, filming b-roll and stumbled upon these three best friends. Few minutes later a powerful dust storm came out of nowhere. Everyone flee as I got to witness it's majestic force, barely holding my own ground. The skies lit up in the sunset glow, letting the armies of annoying horse flies go. A fresh reminder of our human fragility.