TORONTO SCREENINGs

“The film was so beautiful, inspiring, full of love so powerful in showing resilience and the power we can attain to protect what we love. Really loved how the community rallied against powerful players. Oh what humans are capable of when there is belief, togetherness and resilience to create a better world. I left very hopeful!”

“Best night ever!!!!! 🤩 The Klabona Keepers are my new role models ❤️🧡
One of the main things I will take away from the night is “we are strong and we can move mountains with just one voice”
I also can’t believe I was able to talk to one of the elders that was able to stop mining and gas companies from drilling on their land after the show 🫶❤️🧡”

“Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I watched in awe of your bravery and your determination. The need to build a better world for our children and our children’s children is a dream that we all should share. ”

“ Beautiful land. Beautiful people. ”

“Thank you for sharing this film with us! All your activism to protect the land for your people surely serves the rest of us and the planet too. I am glad that there is increasingly more awareness about indigenous experiences :) ”

“ This community is a force to be reckoned with, and you are taking actions not only for your loved ones and your lands, but for the rest of us too. Thank you for standing up to colonial, unfairly powerful institutions and people. It’s hard sometimes to stay optimistic, and I feared feeling helpless in watching this film, but you challenged those thoughts at every single twist and turn - thank you. ”

“THANK YOU for such a wonderful Opening Night Reception & Screening! It was so great to meet everyone in person after months and months of Zoom calls and texts.

We could not have produced such a meaningful evening without your amazing help, collaboration, and thoughtfulness. You were a true partner in every sense of the word. The care in which you treat this story, the community is incredibly moving, and we are glad to have been a part of it.”

“Thank you so much for everything!! It was one of the most special things I’ve ever been to and our team had the most incredible time. We even had some guests today coming in wearing their Klabona Keeper shirts!! We’ve heard some amazing things from people about the documentary and the night. Our hearts are so full.”

“Thank you so much for inviting Anishnawbe Health to be a community partner for the Klabona Keepers premiere. Everyone that I’ve spoken to really enjoyed the film and was honoured to be able to attend the event. I know it has inspired our office to work harder to support health equity for the Indigenous community in Toronto.”

“Congratulations on a remarkable and truly beautiful film! It was wonderful to see the Elders, and to hear their voices. I confess that the point that really got me was hearing Mabel’s laugh in the background near the beginning of the film. I miss her and her laugh.

So many amazing things ... including Caden’s journey and powerful pushback against colonial injustices without having to name them all. (I realize there have been many.) I was struck, for example, that Walker’s negative legacy was addressed without ever naming Walker. Thanks to Pete for the primer on injunctions. Andy Louie’s song. Bertha and Jenny’s powerful words throughout. The pathetic RCMP responses. The clear demonstration of how industrial developers operate in their own words.

I appreciated having the current story told too. The colonial process seems to march on relentlessly — but the film shows carefully the power of persistence and passion. The next generation has its work cut out, but it also has mentors and role models. For me, the Iskut Elders and Iskut members also guide my view of the world, my teaching and writing, and the way I raise my kids. I learned that going back to when I was able to spend time in the community. And I welcome the reminder in voices that I respect so deeply.”

“this film is going to do really great for us. It’s gonna give our kids courage to continue to do this fight. Our grandchildren, great-grandchildren will be able to stand for the land that we love. It means so much to us. ”

“Real big thank you to all the organizers as they went over and beyond to make our trip was enjoyable! So much gratitude and love 🥰”

“Elder Bertha made me cry with her words, so many incredible words were shared by so many Klabona Keepers. I think not a dry eye in the house.”

“This film is great! Laughed, cried and learnt alot ❤️ Thank you for making this movie!”

“It was so inspiring to meet these incredible matriarchs that have made such sacrifices for the people and their land”

“I’ve been in awe these last 2 days of the bravery and resilience of the Klabona Keepers. This film is a gift to this world!”

“Klabona Keepers!! Omg, where do I even begin! What a powerful film!! It brought me to tears, a lot! Hearing the grandmothers , the children, the people speak about their land and waters and fighting for it all for their future generations! It is Something that hits so close to home as my nation fights for the same thing, to protect our lands and waters! Many moments throughout this film and the talks after the film, I was brought to tears remembering the times where I stood on the front lines against industries and what our people continue to have to go through to protect what is our responsibility.
What a powerful film and omg what a powerful moment just for us and Tamo to be in Toronto at the same time where he is doing this film screening. I am so grateful to have been blessed with meeting the Klabona Keepers that I have heard so much about over the last few years. My Gigame Ol Siwid spoke for us and shared of our fights and triumphs we have/had with industry in our territory and commended this amazing group of warriors; the beautiful elder Rita said to me as I hugged her, “from one warrior to another warrior” as they were so happy and proud of our triumphs- a beautiful moment shared with a beautiful elder and warrior woman!
Gilakas’la Tamo and Jasper for once again, helping our people fight industry and bringing that awareness to the world of what really happens within First Nations territory, by putting a film like this together.
If you ever have the opportunity to see this film, do it!!”

“CONGRATULATIONS. It’s such a well crafted portrait of this community and their courage and determination. I cried so many times, I was moved by their unwavering commitment to defend the land. I’m so grateful to have heard the perspectives of the people featured in the film. Obviously Indigenous land defense is something I have been in support of since the first time I heard about it but I haven’t known much about it beyond “seems like they should get to decide what happens on their land”. Hearing things like “why are we ‘disrupting the peace’ when we stop their drilling but they’re not ‘disrupting the peace’ when they prevent us form hunting” and the story about the mom feeding her kids the possibly poisoned fish, and the moose tracks on the drained lake really affected me and rang like aha moments and made understand the importance of this work.”

“I am absolutely amazed by your documentary! I am so so proud of what the Klabona Keepers have accomplished!! ”

“The film was really, really good. And so cool to see the Elders and their families on stage.”

“CONGRATULATIONS 🥳 🎉
What a powerful, extraordinarily moving film you made with such grace, compassion and care.
So many images and scenes I keep revisiting already. I loved seeing the elders, aunties, families all there and the knowledge of those who have passed.
I am so impressed and proud of your work!!”

“Congratulations to you and the entire The Klabona Keepers team/community! It is a powerful and beautiful documentary, and the premiere evening reflected this as well.”

“Thank you for all the planning of such an eventful opportunity 💙❤️💙❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹
My son Beau and I enjoyed the company of you all, meeting new people, being a part of an amazing powerful event, spending time with you all was a plus ✨💙🌹❤️✨
Heart-filled Gratitude ❤️🙏💙
Medu 🙏 Nedischa”

“There’s not enough thanks I can give to Tamo, and Jasper, Maryam, and Anthony and Rhoda for planning this wonderful trip I’am very grateful my heart is full of memories with you all sending my love and hugs ♥️♥️♥️”