Welcome to T'Chanalquay. My name is Suzi Bekkattla founder of T'Chanalquay Film Productions. As a Dene Metis filmmaker raised in Northern Saskatchewan and fluent in Dene language, my passion has been to bring to life Aboriginal history and culture through film, radio and education.

Influenced by my parents (both talented artists in their daily lives), I became a filmmaker to pursue modern and powerful types of story-telling. In 2001, I attended the Aboriginal Film and Digital Arts Production Program at Native Education Centre in Vancouver. Since then, I have continuously made independent video documentaries about my culture in urban cities and rural and remote communities.

See Filmography ~ T'Chanalquay Film Productions

2002 is the year I joined the Vancouver School Board as an Aboriginal Education Enhancement Worker and fulfilled a life-long passion to work with children. I have endeavoured to nurture the artist in each child, through visual, multimedia and storytelling projects. Children from 5 to 12 years of age have loved being part of reader’s theatre, video productions, photography projects, co-op radio programs, Aboriginal round dances, drumming, traditional cooking classes and many other ways of creatively expressing themselves and their culture.

Inspiring Children

The Seven Sacred Teachings are commonly known to the People of Turtle Island. They form the moral basis of living: Truth, Love, Respect, Courage, Humility, Honesty and Wisdom. Elders have used traditional ways such as Storytelling and the Medicine Wheel to solve life's problems to incorporate these sacred teachings into the lives of the community

Honouring Aboriginal Elders

We are meant to be spirit beings on this earth. We are just passing through this life – while here, we are meant to learn from each other. We need to be a blessing to all others and to give them a chance.

Denying one's culture is very sad. I don’t ever want to hurt my culture. I also want to embrace others’ cultures. Aboriginal communities are in a time of transition and storytellers can guide and nurture dialogue both within the community and with a broader audience. Many pressing issues such as conservation, mining and oil extraction, health issues, etc. are important to Aboriginal people, but all too often our views are overlooked or dismissed. Open communication requires finding the best in each other, instead of looking at the worst in each other.

Respect is like a baby - when babies are small we have to humble our hearts to them through love. Cultural and traditional practices build respect and make us good people, even when others are not watching us. We learn to forgive and try new things.

Aboriginal Culture and Traditions