Prophet River First Nation’s history and culture unveiled in new video

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) has uploaded a new video showing a slice of the Nation on mile 233 on the Alaska Highway to Youtube.

Highlighting the history and culture of PRFN, it was uploaded to the video-sharing site on December 13th.

It was produced by Grande Prairie-based C.I.A. Solutions, an Indigenous-owned filmmaking and advertising company.

The company’s chief executive officer, Len Morrisette, says it was “a pleasure” to create a mini-documentary for PRFN and hopes a full-length project will follow in the future.

Morissette is of Cree ancestry and a member of the Mistawawis Band near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

“We started working with them a few years ago,” says Morissette. “Initially, we just captured Elder stories within PRFN.”

“We really clicked with the Nation. As an Indigenous filmmaker, it’s important to do profile videos, so other Nations can see how well they’re doing and how they’re succeeding. It really builds up the whole community.”

It focuses on education, history, and the building of PRFN, which broke off from Fort Nelson First Nation in 1974.

According to the video, PRFN moved to its current location in the late-1980s.

The video features interviews with Elders Mary McKanacha and Jack Askoty, department workers such as Cultural Administrator Sheree Reno, Operations and Maintenance Manager Richard Chipesia, and Chief Valerie Askoty, among others. 

“We’ve always been a Nation that’s been there for each other,” says Chief Askoty in the video. “We were raised to be hard-working people who are kind and helpful to one another.”

“My vision, I see us as building a golden home.  Building us that golden house that can give a future for our kids.  Give them something to look forward to.”

The full 12-minute video can be seen on the C.I.A. Solutions Youtube page.  

There is also a link to the video through PRFN’s Facebook page.