In 2019, I was writing the outline for my first feature (which is now in post) and thought, “I’ll go to ImagineNATIVE next year.” While I did technically go, meeting people virtually and showing work at the 2020 and 2021 festivals, this was my first year in person.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous. Many worldwide and life events had utterly changed me since 2019 and I’d wondered if I’d forgotten the glimmer of life. Was I ready to step back into the festival world? But the chance to go with an enthusiastic long-time mentor from Kashif, present on a panel about rest, and see friends coaxed me out of my shell.
Though I wasn’t showing work, there was still work to be done – particularly with how to navigate the intersection of politics and justice on a personal level. Unfortunately, no one comes away un-scarred from the effects of colonialism. How we move forward amidst what we have been through shows who we are. The quiet moments of speaking with friends and newfound confidants, who provided the care and love inherent to Indigenous communities comforted me. Shout out to Maize Longboat for being as sweet and caring in person as he is on zoom, and Inuk Jorgensen (and Aka Hansen’s dad) for grabbing us tickets for the closing night party.
The films that played, effortlessly covered the range of human emotions as they did the peoples of the world. “The Opening Address” (Konwanahktotha Alvera Sargent, Jess Lowe Chaverri) for its beautiful honoring of the most famous Haudenosaunee prayer, “Endless Cookie” (Pete Scriver, Seth Scriver) for its laidback humor, “Munkha” (Alexander Moruo, Markel Martynov) for its warmhearted community, “The Queen’s Flowers” (Ciara Leina`ala Lacy) for remembering our history at all ages, “#skoden” (Damian Eagle Bear) for our responsibility on and offline, “Hatarimuy: Rise Up” (Suni Sonqo Vizcarra Wood) for how to move forward with our ancestors backing us, “In my hand” (Liselotte Wajstedt, Marja Helander) for what our peoples face, “Honey Kaha” (Te Waiarangi Ratana) for bringing us back to the 70s on our own terms, “Dreams of Sunlight Through Trees” (Theo Jean Cuthand) for what it means to transition in this day and age, “Organza’s Revenge” (Walter Scott) for a liberating sci-fi romp, “Guts & Glitz” (Fox Maxy) for taking on the blur of what it means to heal, “On and On and On” (Evelyn Pakinewatik) for learning how to live in this new world, and “Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man” (Sinakson Trevor Solway) for its beautiful representation of masculinity. These are just a few of the films that immediately come to mind, with many more that I wasn’t able to catch.
When not in films, panels, or the gift shop at the TIFF Lightbox, there was a warm comfort brought by the glowing neon lights of the INdigital space, where all forms of media from XR to audio reside. It was grounding as a place of meeting new and old friends, and a place to remember to play.
All of it grounded me in the reason I do this work: to have a positive impact on others. Just as quick as the festival came up, it was time for my panel on the final full day. The Importance of Rest panel (with myself, Tazeen Ahmed, and Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, moderated by TJ Cuthand) was, unsurprisingly, laid back. Though we didn’t wear pajamas as Tazeen had joked, it was a soothing and inspiring talk. Who knew it was going to be so liberating to run out of questions we had prepped for and just talk with one another? The crowd being small in size garnered intimacy and trust that left the room a bit more relaxed than when we entered. It reminded me of the positive things we are doing to take care of ourselves and others, regardless of the times.
The constant backdrop of being on the land of one of my nations, and the ethics of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty, guided my actions. That of meeting others with peace, sharing what you can so all can prosper, and learning to navigate the complexities of shared space. Is this who I expected I would be when I grew up sixish years ago? Not at all. Am I happy and proud of how I’ve done with everything thrown at me? Absolutely.
See you all next year at ImagineNATIVE,
