Fallen Feather Productions

The federal government of Canada is being accused of “Identity Genocide of Children Targeted at Indian families and communities in Ontario”. The accusation is part of a class action lawsuit on behalf of at least sixteen thousand Aboriginal people who, as children, were either adopted or put in foster homes and “were systemically denied the opportunity to preserve their identity”. The lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of Ontario in February also accuses Canada of “breach of its non-delegable fiduciary obligation, duty of care and protection of aboriginal rights”. The suit seeks damages of $85,000 for each claimant – $1.36 Billion.

In 1965 the “Canada-Ontario Welfare Agreement” was created, Canada delegated provision of child welfare services to Ontario. Aboriginal people just gained the authority to vote around this time. Upon signing the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948, Canada’s government was forced to re-examine its treatment of natives in Canada. Voting rights were extended in 1960, and Aboriginal civil rights became an ongoing concern in the 1970s.

Today, in the term of Stephen Harpers leadership of Canada the refusal to sign in support of the United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples is still a roadblock to healing for Canadians. Moreover without being afforded meaningful and inclusive Aboriginal Education in the schools we run the threat of making judicial mistakes within our society.

Do you think you should have the right to choose what you should know about your own ancestry?

Filmmaker Jannica Hoskins brings cultural memory to life with extensive experience filming Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

Since 2006 from September to June Jannica delivers the Aboriginal Education Program to the Elementary Schools in School District 19 Revelstoke, BC.  Having lived on Neskonlith Indian Reserve and with Elders, the lives legends and stories of the Indigenous people are brought to life with their unique message preserved and respected.

Jannica is Oji Cree and Metis ancestry and currently filming the reconnection with long lost relative Jim Poitras in France and Germany summer 2009.

The Bandwagon gives voice to the tens of thousands of children who, in the 1960’s through 80’s, were literally scooped from their homes without the consent and in many cases without the knowledge of their parents or communities. The film crew will travel from Band to Band across Canada interviewing the children affected by this policy. Placing their stories within the context of their communities. Chiefs and Elders will give their personal perspectives of their cultural history and solutions for the future. Professionals in the field of child welfare will be engaged to provide a modern perspective to the issue of aboriginal children in care. The focus of the film will be to first uncover the root motivations behind the creation of the policy of forced native adoptions. We will answer the question of why this happened, and at what cost. The Bandwagon will then examine traditional methods of raising children with an emphasis on the unique and varied cultures that each territory offers. Finally, the film will study how individual First Nation territories are dealing with nativeadoptions and foster care today. With the purpose of suggesting a working model that could be applied to all communities across Canada. This film project is open to all. Feel free to join the bandwagon as we travel from sea to sea. As a cooperatively owned film your support will be greatly appreciated.

Email us info@fallenfeatherproductions.com to join The Bandwagon.

The Bandwagon gives voice to the tens of thousands of children who, in the 1960′s through 80′s, were literally scooped from their homes without the consent and in many cases without the knowledge of their parents or communities. The film crew will travel from Band to Band across Canada interviewing the children affected by this policy. Placing their stories within the context of their communities. Chiefs and Elders will give their personal perspectives of their cultural history and solutions for the future. Professionals in the field of child welfare will be engaged to provide a modern perspective to the issue of aboriginal children in care. The focus of the film will be to first uncover the root motivations behind the creation of the policy of forced native adoptions. We will answer the question of why this happened, and at what cost. The Bandwagon will then examine traditional methods of raising children with an emphasis on the unique and varied cultures that each territory offers. Finally, the film will study how individual First Nation territories are dealing with nativeadoptions and foster care today. With the purpose of suggesting a working model that could be applied to all communities across Canada. This film project is open to all. Feel free to join the bandwagon as we travel from sea to sea. As a cooperatively owned film your support will be greatly appreciated.

Email us info@fallenfeatherproductions.com to join The Bandwagon.