Mother of Many Children / Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child

In her first feature-length documentary, Alanis Obomsawin honours the central role of indigenous women. Mother of Many Children depicts matriarchal cultures in which women pass on stories, language and traditions across generations. This is followed by a harrowing portrait of indigenous childhood: Richard Cardinal took his own life at the age of 17 – after being placed in 28 care facilities. Diary entries, archive material and interviews recount his longing to be reunited with his family and paint a picture of systemic neglect and brutality. (M.G.)

Introduction Michaela Grill