Sugarcane

Screening to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, Sugarcane is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning.

In 2021, evidence of more than 200 potential unmarked graves were found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Sparking a national outcry across Canada, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse of Indigenous children at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light.

Sugarcane focusses on another BC Residential School at St. Joseph's Mission in Williams Lake, near the Sugarcane reserve. Set amidst the ongoing investigation into the revealed genocide, the film explores a community searching for the truth to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.

The debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, Sugarcane won the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and has garnered over a dozen awards since.

Resources for support:

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419. 

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat a hopeforwellness.ca. 

In British Columbia, contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) Lamathut Crisis Line: 1800-721-0066.

Explore additional resources for survivors, educators and audiences who want to learn more.