ICTMN Exclusive: New Film Documents Maine’s Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission
First Light, the new documentary film that explores the historic Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare TRC, is making its world debut today on ICTMN.
“First Light, the new independent documentary film that explores the historic Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), is making its world debut today on Indian Country Today Media Network. According to the film’s directors, Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip, the short documentary film examines the historic collaboration between the five Wabanaki tribes and the state of Maine in response to the past abuses within the state’s child welfare system.
The first of its kind in U.S. History, the Maine TRC was established in 2012 in an agreement between Governor Paul LePage and chiefs from the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians, the Penobscot Indian Nation, and the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik and Indian Township.”
Continue reading at Indian Country Today.
New Film "First Light" Released Today
FIRST LIGHT FREE TO STREAM ON UPSTANDER PROJECT WEBSITE
Today the Upstander Project is pleased to announce the premiere of its new short documentary film, First Light. This 13-minute film is part of a series anchored by our upcoming feature film Dawnland, slated for released in 2017.
We are releasing First Light today in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day, also known as Columbus Day. We chose today because we support efforts to transform the holiday into a celebrating of Indigenous Peoples, instead of one that celebrates a person known for bringing violence and slavery to the land we now call North America.
We welcome your comments, questions, and reflections here and on Facebook, twitter, pinterest, and instagram.
First Light Preview
Watch a preview of our new film, First Light!
Today the Upstander Project is releasing the preview of First Light, the debut film in the Dawnland series, which is anchored by the feature film Dawnland slated for release in early 2017.
First Light independently documents the work of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the first such task force in US history to investigate issues important to Native Americans. The commission was dedicated to uncovering and acknowledging the truth about what happened to Wabanaki children and families involved with the child welfare system.
We welcome your comments, reflections, and questions.
New Learning Resources
We are happy to share new learning resources to accompany our new film, First Light.
The First Light learning resources are featured on the new upstanderproject.org which includes our new film, First Light, the debut film in the Dawnland series.
New First Light learning resources released on the freshly redesigned Upstander Project website
We are happy to share new learning resources to accompany our new film, First Light.
The First Light learning resources are featured on the new upstanderproject.org which includes our film, First Light, the debut film in the Dawnland series. The preview for First Light is being released on Thursday October 1st and the film is being released on Monday October 12th, Indigenous Peoples' Day. You can pre-order First Light right now here. Sign up here to be notified when the film is released.
The learning resources for First Light connect teachers and students to primary source documents and discussion questions so they can deepen their understanding of both the brutal and disturbing history of settler colonialism that began with the invasion of Native peoples’ homeland, and government policies that aimed to force Native people to stop being who they are. These resources are central to Upstander Project's teacher workshops and classroom presentations, and will be revised as they are beta-tested with teachers and in classrooms across the United States.
Sneak preview of new film: First Light
Thursday, September 10, 12:00 pm at the Maine Historical Society in Portland, Maine
First Light: Short Film Screening & Talk
Speakers: Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip Join us for a screening of the short film, First Light, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip. Children of the Dawn documents the work of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the nation’s first task force dedicated to uncovering and acknowledging the truth about what happened to Wabanaki children and families involved with the Maine child welfare system. Free for MHS members, $5 general admission. Pay at the door.
Venue Information:
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street
Portland Maine 04101
(207) 774-1822
Peace Studies between Tradition and Innovation
Authored by US and Canadian academics, educators, and activists, the chapters in this book demonstrate, how scholars and practitioners in the field are using the important knowledge, skills and values of their foremothers and forefathers to address new issues, integrate new technologies, and make new partners in their efforts to create a more just and humane world.
“The field of peace and conflict studies is rich in secular and faith traditions. At the same time, as a relatively new and interdisciplinary field, it is ripe with innovation. This volume, the first in the series Peace Studies: Edges and Innovations, edited by Michael Minch and Laura Finley of the Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA), is edited by top Canadian and US scholars in the field and captures both those traditions and innovations, focusing on enduring questions, organizing and activism, peace pedagogy, and practical applications.”
Continue reading at Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Rwanda Genocide's Tough Lessons On 'Othering'
Joining NPR’s Tell Me More podcast is Mishy Lesser. She's the learning director for the Coexist Learning Project and she was in charge of developing the curriculum. Also included in the interview is Joanie Landrum. She teaches English as a second language at East Hartford High School in Connecticut and she used to this film in a lesson for students.
“Creators of the new documentary "Coexist" spoke to Rwandan genocide survivors about forgiveness and reconciliation. Now they're bringing those lessons to American students.
CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:
This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Celeste Headlee. Michel Martin is away. The nation of Rwanda is marking 20 years since the genocide that claimed more than 800,000 lives. And decades after the killing, survivors on both sides are learning how to forgive and how to be forgiven. But it's a complicated, painful process for everyone involved.
FATUMA NDANGIZA: Much as we are doing reconciliation, we still have peace spoilers. People want to spoil peace. People are still die-hards. Some people who committed genocide - but up to now, they don't feel remorse for what they did.”
Continue reading or listening at NPR.
Coexist airs tonight across the country (and you can watch online too)
We invite you to watch the broadcast premiere of Coexist on the World Channel tonight at 6pm and 9pm (and tomorrow at 10am and 4pm). See below for detailed airtimes in cities across the United States. You can also watch Coexist right now on Amazon (U.S.) and on Google Play (worldwide)!
There are multiple opportunities to learn more about the Upstander Project and our film:
Listen to Upstander Director Dr. Mishy Lesser and East Hartford High School Language rts teacher Joanie Landrum as they describe the yearlong pilot project now underway at EHHS in East Hartford, Connecticut. They are featured on on NPR's Tell Me More this afternoon. (Download the podcast here)
Read the review of Coexist in the New York Times
Click the map below to download a listing of when you can watch Coexist in your area
