New Blood, a Strathmore High School production that follows the story of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, will be featured in a documentary film of the same name.
The documentary is written and directed by Adam Solway, a Blackfoot filmmaker from Siksika Nation. The story is about Indigenous elders, youth, and how Indigenous people are moving forward against what they experienced in residential schools.
According to Solway, he chose the project due to it taking place in his community.
"It's a really amazing story about some of our members, and it means a lot when it's about people that you know."
Parts of the documentary were filmed at the Strathmore High School Theatre and Siksika Nation, with the show being named after the Peter Gabriel album of the same name. Music from the album will also be featured in the film. Gabriel himself also serves as executive producer.
The documentary is based around several main subjects:
- Vincent Yellow Old Woman, who served as Chief of Siksika Nation between 2013 and 2016.
- Hayden Yellow Old Woman, Vincent's grandson, who was the lead role in the first New Blood production.
- Trinity Pretty Youngman, a Strathmore High School student who now portrays the lead role.
- Deanne Bertsch, the drama and dance teacher at Strathmore High.
- Eulalia Running Rabbit, a co-creator of the production who acts in the show.
- Na’tehya Curly Rider and Mirabel Goodstriker, Vincent’s two granddaughters who currently perform in the production.
"In the film, we paired them off in different groups, and they ask each other questions where they highlight the different relationships with each other," said Solway. "They talk about their different stories, how they got into it, and what it means to them."
The Strathmore High School production was created back in 2014 as an attempt for Bertsch to understand more about Blackfoot students by researching their history alongside them.
The live show has since gained popularity, with productions being performed across Alberta and British Columbia.
"When I chose to make this film, I hope people can see that we can control our narratives, and I hope that this documentary will garner more interest in the dance show itself and create more awareness about what we're trying to talk about with residential schools and confronting our past," added Solway.
The film premiers on November 22 through CBC Gem before entering the international film festival circuit. The documentary has been in production for over a year.