Precious Leader Woman
It was a joy, pleasure, honor and privilege to support the creation of this beautiful story.
In 2021, Avis was asked to support the creation of a documentary about her younger sister Spencer O’Brien’s journey to the Olympics. Avis joined the production team as the cultural consultant. Avis developed a series of workshops to support the integration of knowledge received through watching the film, as a way to deepen the impact of the film.
Workshops for Indigenous Folks
In this 2 hour workshop, The viewing of Precious Leader woman is followed up with reflection questions that are meant to support folks to reflect on how the film relates to their own lived experience. The engagement period is aimted at igniting conversations and journal reflections surrounding the topics of the impacts of Canada’s colonial genocide. Specifically we will explore how assimilation policies have contributed to mental and physical health challenges & addiction struggles. Additionally, we will explore the importance of positive Indigenous identity development, culturally rooted – land based healing and cultivating our dreams and goals for our future .
Workshops for non-Indigenous Folks
In this 2 hour workshop there will be a viewing of the documentary “Precious Leader Woman ”, a film about Spencer O’Brien’s journey to the olympics, and reclaiming her Haida & Kwakwaka’wakw identity. The film touches on many of the modern faces of colonialism. After the viewing, we will unpack the parts of the film that were the most impactful, and discuss how we can utilize the knowledge we received in our work supporting the collective healing, health and wellness of the Indigenous folks we serve.
Precious Leader Woman is a film that touches on many of the modern faces of colonialism that we see in Indigenous communities today. We invite you to connect with the following resources to find out how you can join us in making a positive impact.
Spencer O’Brien is like many Indigenous youth in Canada, growing up disconnected from their bak̓wa̱m (Indigenous) identity. This is a direct result of the genocidal colonial policies the federal government of Canada enforced upon the First Peoples of this land. Spencer’s story of reconnection to her Haida & Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw roots is an example of the strength, beauty and resilience of the spirit of bak̓wa̱m people which offers hope for the next generation of Indigenous youth to achieve their dreams and heal from the impacts of colonization. We hope this film resonates far and wide, helping to share this important message.
Truth & Reconciliation
Indigenous peoples in Canada were systemically separated from their identities, families, culture, languages and the land through genocidal laws. The current plight of Indigenous peoples we see today is a direct result of 500+ years of attempted and ongoing colonial genocide enforced upon us by the federal government.
We are now in a time of awakening and reconnecting to the power that was within all Indigenous people there prior to contact, to the power that has always been.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) published its final report detailing the experiences and impacts of the residential school system, creating a historical record of its legacy and consequences.
Precious Leader Woman responds to these calls to action by helping educate audiences on Indigenous issues, supporting indigenous creators and voices, highlighting indigenous sports and can be used for cultural safety training purposes.
Please find out more about the Truth & Reconciliation Act and how you can join us to work towards these goals.
