PowWow at Duck Lake: National Film Board of Canada
Amazing 15 minute documentary of the Duck Lake Powwow, 1967.
Since this documentary has now gone viral (at least within the Greyeyes family!) I’ve had a chance to collect a few more names of people to watch for, thanks to Dolores Sand and Elaine Greyeyes. I also showed the video to Angus Esperance (of Beardy’s reserve) at the recent SICC Language Keepers Conference, and he also identified a few of the participants.
The young man who tells the Indian Agent joke is Duke Redbird.
The priest who argues at the end is Father Duhaime, principal of the Duck Lake Residential School.
Also spotted:
Gordon Tootoosis (on the float, in a headdress)
Lawrence Greyeyes, about age 8 (before he was even known as Boss)
Victorine Greyeyes (on the float, behind Brenda, in modern dress)
Charlie Boyer (one of many crew cuts in the audience)
Alma Favel King (behind Edward Ahenakew, during the speech of Howard Adam)
Ada Ledoux (during Harold Cardinal’s speech)
Mosoom Edward Ahenakew, father of the late Freda Ahenakew (with the eyebrows)
Kohkom Annie Ahenakew, mother of the late Freda Ahenakew (near the beginning with glasses)
Dolores Sand is pretty sure she remembers the horses, too…
http://www.nfb.ca/film/powwow_at_duck_lake
April 2018: Some additional details thanks to Patricia Deiter:
This was produced at a time when FSI under Walter Deiter was attempting to wrestle control of Indian Education (Indian Residential Schools) from the churches. They were successful with Lebret in 1969. Walter Deiter, Delia Opekakew, and Maryanne Lavallee were all visible in this film and were major contributors to make this transition away from very reluctant churches. The guitar singer at the start was Harry Bird from Peepeekisis.
November 2019: Jen Pelletier identifies her father, Wilfred Pelletier as the guy who tells the freedom joke.
14 Responses
Hi This was produced at a time when FSI under Walter Deiter was attempting to wrestle control of Indian Education (Indian Residential Schools) from the churches. They were successful with Lebret in 1969. Walter Deiter, Delia Opekakew, and Maryanne Lavallee were all visible in this film and were major contributors to make this transition away from very reluctant churches. The guitar singer at the start was Harry Bird from Peepeekisis.
Thanks, Patricia Deiter for additional identifications!!
Hi, I have a film from that powow . I Made it in super 8 and I had it transféred to a dvd. It’ s in color and I’m sure you Will be able to identfy many people. If you are interested let me know I could send you a copy.
Cordially
Michel
I would love a copy is it the unedited version?
My copy is is “borrowed” from the National Film Board. You could try to contact them to learn more about pre-edited film.
Michel, If that offer still stands, please email me at creeliteracy@gmail.com. Maybe I can post your video, too!
Hi, Michel
I would like to ask if I could have said material that you recorded, as well. I’ve been on a mission to get these videos very important exposure.
I have many posted that are going viral and we need to keep that trend going.
If possible, thank you. If not, that is okay too – we have to becareful with who we share this integral information with.
I will put some tobacco down to share that our conversation is guided ans protected by Creator
Again, thank you.
Dear Sean, thank you for your message. i’d love to send you the video. But first, I’d like to ask you a few questions. What will you do with it ? Will I be able to see it ? Will I be credited for it ? And were are you based ?
So please, just tell me a little bit about your organisation and maybe about yourself if you like….
One more thing, I already sent a copy to the archives in Regina, i do not thik, it’s a problem, but I want you to know.
i’ll be pleased to send it to you, in memory to my friends Demar and john Hastings who lived in a cabin on Besnard Lake and to Gail and join McConnell who did a lot for the cree in saskatchewaNn Yours truly Michel Caillol
I’m interested in this for my documentary! Email me 🙂
Hi Micheal, I would be interested in your film. I would like to show it to elders from Beardy’s & Okemasis CN that is right beside St. Michael’s.
I don’t know if Michael would see this post – maybe he could be tracked down through the NFB? The NFB link is embedded in the blog post: https://www.nfb.ca/film/powwow_at_duck_lake/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qx9VyRZfFzHsM7utRIWW-Jr3luf6HVaX/view?usp=drive_web
Hi! Warren, this is the link which will let you see my video of the 1967 powow. I really hope it works alright. If not i’ll try again.
I watched your film on the powow of 1967 and I was really moved. We went my wife and I with John ans gail McConnells; We were all teaching at the University of Saskatchewan at the time. And I knew the speaker ( who was teaching at the U. of S. in the department of education ) but I ave forgotten his name ( sorry ) ?
I really hope this film will be useful to you.
Plesa let me know what you thinK
All the best
Michel
Hey Michel – if you’re open to broader sharing, I would be happy to post your piece here on the Cree Literacy Network. Film like yours is precious!
Hey !! Of course, no problem, please do. I’m so happy my film will be seen by the very people ( or their descendants ) who are on the film . It must mean a lot to all these people.
A lot . Please, let me know if you have any comments about the film.
All the best
Michel