March 11, 2022

The film Shadows in Time explores racism and sexism that Indigenous girls experience in their everyday lives

As part of Indigenous Awareness week, join film producers March 17 for film screening and post-screening discussion
Indigenous painting
Painting by Kalum Teke Dan (Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta). Courtesy Stardale Women’s Group

In celebrating Indigenous histories and cultures, the Indigenous Students’ Circle (ISC), a Students’ Union club, will host their Indigenous Awareness Week from March 14 to March 18 with various events (online and in-person) for the UCalgary community. ISC is collaborating with the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) to host a special film screening of Shadows In Time, a movie produced by a local Indigenous organization, Stardale Women’s Group, to portray the personal stories of the young women, aged 10 to 17, about their experiences of racism and sexism that they endure in their everyday lives. 

In this short film, Aaliyah Melting Tallow, Alyssa Ryan, Brooke Strongeagle, Eve Strongeagle, and Nicole Hellson-Redcrow share painful stories about their lost history, loss of identity, loss of community, family and friends to reveal the deep-rooted biases about race and gender. Shadows in Time sheds light on the importance of Indigenous cultural identity and connection as essential to the overall well-being of Indigenous communities and individuals.

This film, followed by The Road, another award-winning short film by the Stardale Women’s Group, is being shared as a teaching tool, and is shown to various organizations, including the Calgary Police, to educate the community about the lived experiences of the young women in facing racism and sexism.

The ISC, GSA, and Stardale Women’s Group welcome members of the University of Calgary community to attend this free film screening and post-screening discussion with the young women and girls starring in the film on Thursday, March 17. The event will be hosted online and in-person at Room EEEL161 at the University of Calgary starting at 6 p.m.

More information about the event and ticket registration can be found here.

The ISC and GSA would like to acknowledge that this event and the Indigenous Awareness Week are hosted on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations, as well as the Blackfeet Nation), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney/Îyârhe/Îethka Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

About the Indigenous Students’ Circle
The Indigenous Students’ Circle (ISC) is a non-profit with the University of Calgary Students’ Union, composed of student members from all backgrounds and disciplines within the University of Calgary. The ISC provides access to resources and guidance that support and encourage the personal growth, professional development, and academic success of its members. The ISC also develops and maintains initiatives that expand beyond the classroom experience and encourages holistic development of the entire student body by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, traditions, and values to promote understanding, self-awareness, and mindfulness. Part of its purpose includes Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW).

About the ISC Indigenous Awareness Week
The goal of IAW is to provide a week of mostly on-campus activities and events that promote Indigenous cultures for University of Calgary students, faculty, and staff. This week-long event (March 14 to 18, 2022) is organized and led by elected directors of the ISC with support from junior executives, ISC members, student volunteers, the Writing Symbols Lodge, various clubs, facilities and associations, and the Students’ Union. We are excited for this year’s IAW in promoting teachings, collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and celebration of Indigeneity within our campus community.