Matriarch/Future
All of the films presented in the MATRIARCH/FUTURES collection value the paramount presence and love Matriarchs exude. We recognize the weight carried by Matriarchs actively making changes and envisioning harmonious ways to continue onward. This collection displays stories that are deeply rooted in love and the representations of strength and vulnerability. The Matriarch/Future collection honours Indigenous Matriarchs and champions the power, guidance, and inspiration they hold for the Future.
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that HighballTV’s headquarters are located in Toronto, which is on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon wampum belt covenant, a treaty of collective responsibility for the protection and sharing of land and resources. We are grateful to work on this land.
Programmer's Bios:
Jamie-Lee Reardon
Jamie-Lee Reardon (Ojibwe/Irish) is a niizh manidoowag Kakojiish Ziibing Anishinaabe from Flying Post First Nation in Treaty 9. JL is a multi-disciplinary, undisciplined artist, poet, and storyteller who creates from a place of love for community, culture, family, and self. Through the work done as Institute Manager at imagineNATIVE, JL has discovered a passion for building and facilitating workshops and assisting in script development through story editing and story consulting. JL is committed to supporting professional development while amplifying and championing the voices of Indigenous Creatives.
Kikki Guerard
A Two-Spirit Cree from Treaty 9 territory, Kikki is an art director, photographer, designer, and storyteller. They pursued a post-secondary education in Photography and Marketing at OCAD University. Kikki specializes in portrait photography while having extensive experience in leading creative teams and global campaigns. Kikki’s work explores themes of identity, revealing the magic and vulnerability of their community. Through the power of visual storytelling, they hope to create spaces for healing and transformation. They are a member of Taykwa Tagamou First Nation and currently reside in Tkaron:to, working in the Indigenous film sector.
Kaitlynn Tomaselli
Kaitlynn Tomaselli is Anishinaabe and Italian from Manitoulin Island. As an emerging curator and arts administrator, she currently works for the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts. At imagineNATIVE, Kaitlynn manages all artistic programming for year-round and festival events both for community and youth initiatives. Before her time at imagineNATIVE, she worked with Debajehmujig Theatre Group, The Sudbury Theatre Centre, and Native Earth Performing Arts. Kaitlynn is passionate about collaborating with organizations and people who uplift Indigenous voices and expressions. Throughout her experiences within the arts, she has been honoured with the opportunity to connect artists through theatre, film, and media arts.
Claudia Skunk
Claudia Skunk is an Anishinaabe Producer from Mishkeegogamang First Nation, currently based in Toronto. She serves as the Associate Producer for AMPLIFY Season Three. Claudia recently completed her Interactive and Immersive Fellowship with the National Film Board of Canada, established through a partnership with the Indigenous Screen Office. She worked as a Field Producer for the APTN series Treaty Road and as the Production Manager for AMPLIFY Season Two. Additionally, she served as a Program Facilitator for the Netflix Canada Creator Program: Advancing Our Voices. Recently, she assumed the role of Production Manager for Matriarch Rising retreats across Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver in collaboration with the Movement Movement. Claudia also dedicated five years to the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, where she oversaw corporate, community, and foundation partnerships. Claudia is focused on aligning with projects that are rooted in narrative sovereignty through a collaborative and community-based approach. She advocates for uplifting Indigenous voices and representation through her work within the industry and the community. Claudia has continued volunteering within the Toronto area, focusing on Indigenous youth empowerment and capacity building for the past six years. She has also stepped up as a board member for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in 2023.
Field Liberty
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Matriarch Future Collection Intro
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Angakusajaujak - The Shaman's Apprentice
Toronto International Film Festival
Annecy International Animation Film Festival
SXSWWe are transported to the arctic and beyond as a young shaman apprentice is met with her first obstacle. On a guided journey to the underworld she is tasked to find the answers needed to help heal an sick comm...
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Ajornavianngilatit
imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival
An incredibly sweet story of a single mother who has dedicated her life to her child and, working hard for her family, goes out for a night of fun. She meets someone special and has to navigate her feelings during the initial parts of a queer relationship...
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Rustic Oracle
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
Kingston Canadian Film FestivalSet in the 90’s, this dramatic feature introduces audiences to 8 year old Ivy as she grapples to understand the circumstances around her older sister becoming a missing person. Highligh...
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Not Just Numbers
Not Just Numbers follows the Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group as Matriarch Leaders take action to end domestic violence in their communities. This powerful and inspiring documentary amplifies the voices of Aboriginal women in their homelands. While highlighting the transformational healing...
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Odehimin
Accompanied by the beat of a drum, Odemin, heart berry, reminds us of the importance of connecting oneself with the land and water while exploring themes of self love and body image in this healing short film.
Canada - 2020 - 3mins
Directed By: Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo
Written By: Kij... -
Little Bird
Toronto International Film Festival
Little Bird follows the journey of a young adult struggling to face the paramount loss of their mother. In this semi autobiographical film, we are taken on an afternoon journey through grief. This short film will break your heart and help piece it back togethe...