Film reveals residential school experience of respected Mi’kmaw leader

A movie concerning the lifetime of a nationally revered chief from the Mi’kmaw group of Natoaganeg, also referred to as Eel Floor, screens Sunday night time on the Silver Wave Movie Pageant in Fredericton.

You may name me Roger tells the story of Elder Roger Augustine and his climb to management positions over a 46-year interval, mentioned director Jon Mann.

“I believe Roger’s message all through … not simply this movie, however his whole profession, has been all about peace and friendship.”

“His hand has been outreached on this relationship his whole life, and all he needs is for everyone else to achieve again.”

Augustine just lately retired as regional chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island with the Meeting of First Nations.

Just a few highlights from the 75-year-old’s prolonged resumé embrace co-founding North Shore and Atlantic political teams for First Nations chiefs, being a signatory to the 1981 Declaration of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, introducing drug and alcohol training curriculum, negotiating a partnership with lumber firms and mediating a number of crises, together with fisheries disputes in Esgenoopetitj and Elsipogtog.

However this movie will inform a model of his life story that individuals are much less conversant in — together with himself.

“I by no means actually thought that I had a narrative and now, right here it’s,” mentioned Augustine.

“Roger was so brutally trustworthy about his experiences, good and dangerous,” mentioned Mann — together with how he ran away from the residential college in Shubenacadie, N.S.

Augustine mentioned he was reluctant about doing the movie, however his daughter-in-law and grandchildren talked him into it and he is actually impressed with the way it turned out.

He hopes the movie will “give alternatives to others who’ve tales to inform and encouragement to different males who’re afraid to disclose the actual tales of their lives.”

Then he hopes they will have the ability to “transfer on.” 

Individuals are nonetheless hurting an excellent deal, he mentioned.

“The hurt that these colleges did … it is unimaginable.”

Augustine’s associates from coast to coast had been keen to participate within the movie, mentioned Mann.

“Everyone wished to lend their voice to Chief Roger’s story. He has such an imprint, each professionally and personally, on so many lives throughout this nation.”

A tie that binds them, in Mann’s view, is resiliency. 

He requested every of the 18 individuals he interviewed what retains them going within the face of weekly “intestine punches” — from the challenges of attempting to revive the pre-colonial identify of a river to discoveries of lifeless youngsters in unmarked graves at residential colleges.

The resounding reply was, “Nicely, what am I speculated to do? Roll over and die and quit?”

“Now we have an extended methods to go,” mentioned Augustine.

Over his political profession spanning virtually half a century, he hasn’t seen a lot enchancment in terms of racism.

Reached on Friday, he recounted a narrative that had occurred just a few days earlier. A kindergarten pupil in Miramichi was approached by a classmate on the playground who mentioned to their face, “Screw First Nations” — solely they used a harsher phrase than “screw.”

“You may’t let it contaminate you,” mentioned Augustine.

“It would not take a lot to ignite the fires.”

“For these of us within the enterprise of training and therapeutic, our duty as elders and leaders is to only proceed and never get discouraged.”

“We all know it is on the market. Simply present individuals it is not affecting you. You continue to benefit from the earth, wind and hearth.

Augustine want to see a day when younger individuals are listening to fewer horror tales and extra messages of delight of their Indigenous id.

“Now we have an opportunity to look to the long run and see how we will change issues and help each other, discuss love, discuss honesty, humility and all of the seven teachings.”

Mann mentioned he was a bit apprehensive about tackling this challenge as a non-Indigenous individual and had awkward and enlightening moments alongside the best way.

He sees it as a part of the exhausting work required to restore the connection.

“Now we have to begin having these exhausting conversations,” he mentioned.

“You may’t have fact and reconciliation with out fact.”

The movie was made primarily with a non-Indigenous viewers in thoughts.

Mann thinks the 77-minute closing lower will probably be entertaining, partaking and academic.

The movie premiered final month on the FIN Atlantic Worldwide Movie Pageant in RisePEI.

Sunday’s screening will probably be a little bit of a homecoming for Mann.

He is initially from Fredericton, studied politics at Acadia and movie on the New York Movie Academy. His earlier initiatives have included documentaries a few lockout at Moosehead Breweries and the opposition to promoting NB Energy to Quebec, as nicely an adaptation of the Stephen King brief story Popsy. 

His newest challenge was affiliate producing a brief movie referred to as North Star, starring Emmy-nominated Colman Domingo, Kevin Bacon, and Laura Innes, from 2019 Oscar-winning producer Andrew Carlberg. It simply certified for the Academy Awards because of a movie competition win in Georgia.

You may name me Roger is scheduled to indicate at 7 p.m. Sunday at Tilley Corridor on the UNB Campus. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, money solely on the door. There may also be a question-and-answer session with Mann and Augustine.