A film about ‘Embracing Mortality’
*Clips are rough cuts.
This film is an exploration of mortality as a shared human experience. It explores death as a universal truth, connecting us all through its inevitability and the meaning we find in it.
By juxtaposing Indigenous rituals with Western practices, the documentary dives into how culture and spirituality guide healing and acceptance.
Highlighting the support of indigenous tradition, friends and family, the film uncovers the profound ways we can navigate loss together and find strength in unity and community.
Potential treatment of ‘Embracing Mortality’
May 23, 2025 This is currently one clip, however, I will add to it with examples of the various treatment while working on the proof of concept for the film.
Indians and Cowboys
The Garnett Valley Gang is one of the most popular attractions in the Okanagan. The gang members are “lawless bandits” with their own culture that has kept the group together for 28 years. Headed by Jimmy Boots and Mexicali Rose, the gang attacks the 1912 Kettle Valley Steam Train… and robs the passengers for charity.
Their exploits “on-stage” and off make up the footage for a potential new series which is also based on the premise of First Nations riders being involved in the robberies played out each summer. The stories of the authentic characters are what makes this interesting, that and how much the audience loves this unique wild and crazy affair. Stay tuned.
‘Horse Culture as Medicine’
The lens on indigenous storytelling has often, understandably been focused on bleaker landscapes.
‘Horse Culture as Medicine’ chronicles a small group of Okanagan youths, each with their own challenges to overcome. Their story is about them finding the way back to their spirituality through traditional horse culture. Horses are their medicine.
Rich Terbasket, their teacher and mentor has been to the dark side himself and now works to help these young kids stay away from alcohol and drugs as a form of escapism from rez life.
‘Settler’ Questions
Our Telus STORYHIVE funded documentary is complete and will be released by Telus Optik TV in 2025. We are grateful to Telus STORYHIVE, the National Screen Institute and Creative BC for supporting our project and film production in BC in general.
‘Settler’ Questions is based on interviews with four First Nations people: Dixon Terbasket, iniipoka Sterling Peterson, Whitney Cardenas and Jonathan Kruger. Each of our subjects had experienced both racism and intergenerational trauma, which is often the case for First Nations people on reserves since the beginning of colonialism in the 1500’s.
‘Settler’ Questions began as a journey to find out more about what it feels like to live as an Indian. In the end, the larger focus is on the stories from the fascinating people that we encountered and who are living with purpose and integrity.
‘Out of the Indian Box’
Jennifer Younger, a member of the Tlingit tribe in Alaska, is a multi-award winning copper and silver jewelry designer. Her goal is to have her work in all parts of the world and to see non-natives embracing Native design. ‘It’s all language in the end, of a shared experience.”
Jennifer is sensitive to the fact that even though there is an Indigenous uprising, Indigenous people are still being kept in their own box. Jennifer is changing that.
‘Out of the Indian Box’ is a film about Jennifer, who together with REZ13 put together a team to do a photo shoot where filming includes Younger creating two symbolic pieces of jewellery on the spot, in the Okanagan.
One piece would be a tribute to horses, an animal most highly regarded by First Nations, culture and communities. The other one would be an iconic symbol of death as a transitional journey to the spirit world. More details to come…
Podcast Series ‘Stories From Indian Country’
REZ13’s new podcast series amplifies the voices of the Okanagan’s First Nations communities, with its’ platform for personal stories, cultural insights and discussions promoting reconciliation and combatting racism. Understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbours is the goal.
Additionally, ‘Stories From Indian Country’ will provide behind-the-scenes insights into REZ13’s Indigenous documentaries, creating a symbiotic relationship that enriches both the podcast and the film projects. This integrated approach not only amplifies Indigenous voices but also serves as invaluable support material for the documentaries, ensuring an authentic and comprehensive portrayal of First Nations histories and cultures. Bridging cultural gaps, examining the true history of ‘Canada’ beyond often erroneous textbook narratives, we strive to create meaningful dialogue towards a more inclusive and equitable future.