fugitive frequency, season 2, episode 4: Alanis Obomsawin, “Our people can be themselves and feel good about it”

This episode is an audio portrait of Alanis Obomsawin, an Indigenous Abenaki filmmaker, singer, activist and “national treasure” from Turtle Island/Canada. We spoke online late in February 2021 with reference to a major survey exhibition of Alanis’ life and work, ‘The Children Have to Hear Another Story’, 12 February – 18 April 2021, Haus der Kulturen der Welt Berlin.

Many thanks to Lilli Heinemann from HKW and Michael Shu from the National Film Board of Canada for making this episode possible.

Media

Bush Lady (2018)

Vignettes: June in Povungnituk – Quebec Arctic (1980)

Canada Vignettes: June in Povungnituk – Quebec Arctic , Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Waban-Aki: People from Where the Sun Rises (2006)

Waban-Aki: People from Where the Sun Rises, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Alanis Obomsawin the activist, Telescope CBC (1966)


Amisk
(1977)

Amisk, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Alanis Obomsawin – Bush Lady, live at Le Guess Who? 2017

Xusum (1975)

Xusum, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Christmas at Moose Factory (1971)

Christmas at Moose Factory, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Puberty – Part 2 (1975)

Puberty – Part 2, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Moose Call (1972)

Moose Call, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Basket (1975)

Basket, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Snowshoes (1978)

Snowshoes, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Sigwan (2005)

Sigwan, Alanis Obomsawin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada