A short film about a Métis youth struggling to fit in is screening at the Edmonton International Film Festival.
‘Culture Shock’ is part of the Tap Root Actors Academy that mentors Métis youth in the film making industry.
“It means a lot to me representing different people that used to live in the city,” said lead actress of the film, Chloey White. “Like you don’t know much about your culture.”
“Métis stories also exist,” said producer of the film, Grace Hardy. “Culture shock is an accumulation of stories from the youth.”
“We had a combination of kids having experiences that vasted from Indigenous joy to Indigenous trauma,” she added.
‘Culture Shock’ tells the story of a young girl, Joey as she struggles to fit it in the city.
She then gets sent to a culture camp on the settlement where her family is originally from. Hardy says the film highlights the importance of community and culture through sharing lived experiences of Métis youth.
“When she comes back from culture shock, she’s building that connection through lived experiences,” Hardy explained. “She is not necessarily being pushed away, she’s being brought in.”
The film is a collaborative effort of a group of Métis youth from Kikino in Northern Alberta and Taproot Actors Academy founded by Canadian actor Tantoo Cardinal.
“Makes me proud and happy that we’re getting representation on screens,” said Adelle White camera assistant on the film. “Seeing all come together, seeing people’s reaction and how they connect with it.”
“Trying to connect with your culture,” she added. “And your family.”
The storyline, also encourages Indigenous youth to honour their roots.
“Not everyone has to fit in,” said White. “It doesn’t matter where you come from or how everyone around you acts.”
“Just focus on yourself,” she added. “And how to become a better person.”
“Go back to your culture,” said Hardy. “What does that mean is a personal journey.”
“It could be through the arts, it could go through language,” she added. “It could go through community and programming, it could go through elders, through family.”
The screening of ‘Culture Shock’ coincides with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which honours residential schools’ survivors in Canada.
“On such a somber day we are celebrating Indigenous joy through the voices of youth,” said Hardy. “Highlighting that and through their own stories and lived experiences.”