“Culture Shock in Alert Bay: Barb Cranmer” Series 1 Episode 4

When it comes to family stories, few storytellers matched the prolific output of Barb Cranmer (1960-2019), one of the first Indigenous filmmakers to consistently title her films in the language of her ancestors. After extensive work in documentary film, she left Vancouver to return to her home community of Alert Bay, off the northern coast of Vancouver Island. As a filmmaker, Cranmer is recognized internationally as a strong voice for her people, with several documentaries including “I'TUSTO To Rise Again” and “Gwishalaayt--the spirit wraps around you”. Her films have won numerous awards and can be found in both university and museum libraries. Barb Cranmer is respected for the curatorial work she has done for the U'mista Cultural Centre and the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. This short documentary was made 12 years before her passing and features clips from Barb's films and her dedication to telling the stories of her people. She was a leader, an artist and co-founder of the Culture Shock Interactive Gallery in Alert Bay, and an active member of her community. After a battle with brain cancer, she passed away, surrounded by family, at the age of 59.

Over three seasons, “Storytellers in Motion'', introduces a number of Canada's Indigenous storytellers. Sharing excerpts from their films, these storytellers comment on their work and explore their creative voices.

Produced by: Jeff Bear, Marianne Jones, Urban Rez Productions