Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies
Onkwa`nisténhsera - "Mothers of Our Nations"
Onkwanistenhsera

Indigenous Elders Summit 2004
This is the second documentary in a series of four drawn from the Elders who spoke during the six-day International Indigenous Elders Summit 2004 hosted at Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. Hundreds of Elders from North, South and Central America gathered on Haudenosaunee territory for six days and developed an Elders Declaration. The first statement in the Declaration reads "Women Give Life: Violence against Indigenous women must cease. Women are the mothers of our nations and their authority must be recognized within and outside Indigenous nations."

Mothers of Our Nations examines the need for Indigenous women to reclaim, restore and revitalize their traditional knowledge which has become marginalized through centuries of colonialism. This documentary focuses on the ways in which Indigenous women are attempting to nurture their families through healing themselves and their communities. They strive for a future for their families by breaking the silence of abuse and establishing a stronger family foundation which was shatered through residential schools, relocation and assimilation policies.

This documentary also highlights the plight of the 500 missing and murdered women in Canada by acknowledging the racialized violence towards Indigenous women as chronicled in the Native Women's Association of Canada Stolen Sisters campaign. Included are the voices of women who have endured the realities of racism, murder, historical trauma and those who continue to be embroiled in violence. Elders express the need to heal and break the silence for the future of their families and Nations. They also identify solutiosn that strive to improve their children's wellness.

The documentary feactures author Kim Anderson, Native Women's Association of Canada President, Beverly Jacobs; Erica Jamieson; Sheena and Aileen Joseph; Nicole Martin, a young woman striving for healing; Elders Jake & Judy Swamp and many more.

The film is in NTSC DVD format for approx 48 minutes and is directed by Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill, Academic Director of Indigenous Studies Program, McMaster University.

The film is sponsored by:

  • Indigenous Studies Program, McMaster Universtiy
  • Canadian Heritage
  • First Nations Centre at National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO)
  • Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC)
  • Indigenous Health Research Development Program (IHRDP)

To order a copy:
Individual use only : $25 Canadian Dollars
Organization / institution use only : $125 Canadian Dollars
plus shiping and handling

Please contact: Valerie O'Brien, Indigenous Health Research Development Program by Telephone: 519 445 0023 ext. 236 or by Fax: 519 445 4416 or by Email: vobrien@mcmaster.ca

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Phone: 905-525-9140 x27426
Email: indig@mcmaster.ca