Our elders have a wealth of knowledge that they want to teach us, through their language, their music, their stories and through their daily lives. They are not going to be with us forever – they are going to the Spirit World. The conversations that echo out from time immemorial through Elders are passed down to future generations. Elders are walking encyclopedias, they are Knowledge Keepers.

Elders have endured many things. They survived Residential School. They have lived in harsh conditions. They teach us how to have empathy for ourselves and others. They teach us morals. They teach us about honesty, not stealing, not using our bodies against others. They can reverse us if we have a bad day. They can be humorous and make us laugh. They can be direct – Elders can scold us for our own good. They see the worth in us, and teach us where we are in the cycle of life. My grandmother sheltered us with stories and warmth and love. Her human spirit was gentle and kind, even as a single mother with 6 children when my grandfather died.

Photo Banner: Three Dene Elders in High Level, Alberta helped Suzi research Anthapaskin oral tradition.

Quick Links to Documentary Films on this page

• Honouring Dene Elders
• Diri Honi Neba
• Helen Meguinis

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• Honouring Our Dene Elders
• Produced by Suzi Bekkattla
• Edited by Ja-son Flower
• Music by Leela Gilday
• Release Date: 2015
• Running Time: 67 min.

Honouring Dene Elders traces the lives of 6 generations of First Nations Elders living in Northern Saskatchewan, from the time of fur trading in the early 1900's through to the Half-Breed Script, through the era of residential schools straight into current times.

Filmmaker Suzi Bekkattla interviews family and community members in Buffalo River and surrounding area. They recount the legacy of her Dene mother, Adeline Bekkattla and other Metis relations who had lasting impacts on building their communities.

Photo 1: This video is dedicated in loving memory of Adeline Bekkattla, my mother shown above with my father and some of my siblings. Adeline's hard work, political activism and advocacy influenced the services and treatment of Dene Metis people in local communities and Saskatchewan as a whole.

Photo 2: This photo is of Aunt Florence Francois, my mother’s youngest sister along with me. Aunt Florence had a strong relationship with her family and helped many of us with her warm, kind and giving nature.

Photo 3: This photo is of my mother, Adeline, my father Patrick Bekkattla, and my nephew Anthony who are at one of the multitude of lakes in Saskatchewan. My father spoke highly about his life with my mother while working on this documentary, reminiscing of their life around the lake.

Photo 4: My Uncle Lawrence Chanalquay spoke poignantly about the loving nature of his parents and how residential school affected his life and that of his sisters, including my mother.

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• Diri Honi Neba (this story is for you)
• Produced by Suzi Bekkattla
• Filmed by Jason Crick
• Edited by Damien Bouchard
• Music by Leela Gilday and Quese Imc
• Release Date: 2013
• Running Time: 46 min.

Diri Honi Neba, the Dene words which means in English ‘This Story Is For You’, recounts Suzi’s journey to Navajo and Apache territory in New Mexico. The Navajo Dene and the Apache are related to the Northern Canada Dene. They are all part of the larger Athapaskin language group.

Wanting to explore the connection between the three related nations, Suzi experienced the intertwining of culture and education through numerous events and celebrations unique to the Aboriginal people of South West.

Suzi attended the world's biggest Pow Wow called the 'Gathering of Nations' and spoke with artists, dancers and youth about the importance of tradition for their people.

The video documents the surprising and uplifting messages from young women involved in the Miss Indian World Pageant, the Miss Indian UNM Pageant and Miss Navajo Calendar. The young women are selected for their positive message, their inner beauty, their cultural talents and their efforts to give back to their communities.

The film ends in Monument Valley with scenes of the Grand Canyon.

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• Helen Meguinis, Our Elder Remembered Forever
• Produced by Suzi Bekkattla and Tsuu T'ina Nation
• Filmed by The Big Picture Films
• Release Date: 2009
• Running Time: 46 min.

Helen Meguinis, a Tsuu T'ina elder who left behind a wealth of wisdom and a legacy of love.

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