• Recarving and Healing Our Spirits
• Produced by Suzi Bekkattla in partnership with Vancouver School Board
• Edited by Tim Hall
• Music by Trent Gauthier
• Release Date: 2020
• Running Time: 55 min.

The legacy of the Residential School System has deeply touched the life of me and all my relations. Therefore during the spring and winter of 2019, I was honoured to participate in a film project that captured the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.

In 2019, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) and its Indigenous Education Department partnered to create a meaningful and multidimensional school program to raise awareness of on the impact of Residential Schools on Indigenous peoples. The program created a curriculum around this topic for all elementary school aged children. As tangible symbols of truth and healing efforts, Squamish Nation and Musqueam Nation carvers, James (Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun) Harry, William Dan, Crystal Sparrow and members of their families, carved a 44 foot long red cedar Reconciliation Pole, and two Welcome Figures, male and female, which were revealed on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2019.

I was thrilled to be the director of this resulting video project which documented the carving of these three poles while combining the real-life residential school experiences of my own family, parents, aunts, uncles and other Indigenous counselors. With the terrific help of Kaitlan Redcrow, an Indigenous student in the Capilano University film program, we filmed some of the children who took part in school trips to see the carvings in progress. We also prepared 20 young students to interview the carvers. The film concludes with the unveiling ceremony of the three poles, which was attended by 500+ students, parents, faculty and Indigenous Chiefs and community leaders.

Tim Hall, with Bold Fish Productions, kindly volunteered his editing expertise and the film has been shown at various times to Vancouver students, teachers, superintendents and other Education staff. It is my prayer that in some small way, this film and all the activities of the Vancouver School Board, will reignite the fire of Indigenous people in the Vancouver area and across Canada.

Photo 1: Carver Crystal Sparrow works on the house post.

Photo 2: An eagle in the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh Nations

Photo 3: The finished totem pole and house posts welcoming visitors to the Vancouver School Board offices

Photo 4: A fire at sunset.

Photo 5: Students interview the carvers of the reconciliation pole.

Photo 6: The carvers share their experience with children of the Vancouver School District

Photo 7: The carvers share their experience with children of the Vancouver School District

Photo 8: Suzi dipping her hands in the river.