“From the Trapline: Shirley Cheechoo” Series 2 Episode 17

This director of drama for stage and film is inspired by heartfelt experiences that include life on the trapline, residential school, summers spent in Moose Factory and stories from her mother, a medicine woman. Amid clips from her films “Silent Tears” and “Bear Walker”, Cheechoo discusses directing drama for film and television, the pressures to modify her vision to fit a mainstream audience and her sudden shift to documentary at the request of James Bay Cree. Her comments and clips of her work with aspiring young actors in a drama workshop portray a gentle, perceptive director who understands that teaching is a two-way process and values the importance of living in the moment.

Series two of “Storytellers in motion'' celebrates the achievements of Canada's Indigenous artists who work across media that include photography, print journalism, screenwriting for film and television and broadcast news. All have inspiring careers and contribute their thoughts on their place in mainstream media as they seek to define the Indigenous voice.

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