Alanis Obomsawin

(Abenaki/Canada, 1932)

Filmmaker, musician, and visual artist, Alanis Obomsawin is widely recognized for her work in defending the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada, in films such as Incident at Restigouche (1984) and the multi-award-winning Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993).

In the short film Sigwan, where a young girl is welcomed and advised by animals in the forest, the artist explores the symbolism of the bear and the turtle while reflecting on belonging and reconnection. Filmed on the Odanak reserve, where Obomsawin grew up, Sigwan also resonates with the artist’s role as a storyteller, returning to the place where she was raised and heard many of these stories. Championing the transformative power of narratives and education, Obomsawin uses music, cinema, and history as tools to give visibility to the culture of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the violence these communities have endured.

Anelise De Carli

Bio

Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki/Canada, 1932) is a filmmaker, musician, and visual artist known for her work in defense of indigenous rights in Canada. She has produced a vast body of work that addresses themes such as indigenous cultural preservation, human rights, and social issues faced by native peoples. Her work was shown at international festivals such as the Toronto and Sundance festivals. It was featured in exhibitions such as Documenta in Kassel, Germany. She lives in Montreal, Canada.

Where

Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana

+ Info & map

Works

Sigwan, 2005

Vídeo, 12'58’’

Dublagem realizada pelo KF Studios (Porto Alegre) para a 14ª Bienal do Mercosul. Link para a versão original do vídeo: https://www.nfb.ca/film/sigwan_en/