‘Spirit of Treaty 8’ documentary screening takes place in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fort St. John featured a red-carpet event showcasing the story of Treaty 8.

The documentary ‘The Spirit of Treaty 8’ had its initial screenings at the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John, with members of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association and director Patrick Shannon on hand.

The event was hosted by Treaty 8 Tribal Association, in partnership with community organizations and the City of Fort St. John.

The project was to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 8 between the Crown and descendants of Alberta First Nations communities in 1899.

Indigenous communities in northeast B.C. signed it a year later in 1900. Treaty 8 stretches across approximately 840,000 square kilometres, encompassing parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C. and the Northwest Territories.

Preceded by both ceremonial and powwow drummers, Treaty 8 Tribal Association executive director Marlene Roy told attendees the documentary will take viewers “on a journey across Treaty 8 territory, sharing stories from Indigenous communities about the past, present and future of Treaty 8 and what it means today.”

Patrick Shannon is a member of the Haida Nation from the Islands of Haida Gwaii, and told Energeticcity.ca what he thought of the showcase of his work, which he said brought some in the audience to tears.

“I feel amazing after seeing it with an audience here,” said Shannon. “[I have heard] the responses from everyone. It’s those moments of the oohs and ahhs and the laughs, I can hear people tearing up at times.”

“Those are the moments you live for as a filmmaker, so I know [the film] had emotional impact.”

The 45-minute film featured interviews with notable First Nations figures from across northeast British Columbia, as well as archival footage of the Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow and the Doig River Rodeo.

Figures from local Indigenous communities included Garry Oker, Levi Davis and Jack Askoty from Doig River First Nation (DRFN), along with Clarence Apsassin from Blueberry River First Nations, and many others.

Two individuals who were interviewed prominently during the film were Denee Renouf, the archive manager of Treaty 8 Tribal Association and Karen St. Pierre, the association’s treaty and aboriginal rights (TARR) coordinator

As a non-Indigenous woman, Renouf spoke about the collaborations between herself and Shannon in making the film.

“Our goal from the beginning was to tell the story of Treaty and how that culture is still alive today,” said Renouf.  “[From] the importance of it to the people of the land, as well as how it’s been put into practice.”

“I do not think we could have found a better director than Patrick. He listened to all our feedback, and I think he truly captured the spirit of the people still living on this land.”

St. Pierre said her participation meant she wanted to “educate others on what the First Nations and the spirit of the treaty” were all about.

Going forward, Patrick said the film will be screened around Treaty 8 communities throughout the treaty lands during the summer, with another showing at Tse’k’wa National Historic Site in Charlie Lake on September 30th, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Between the two screenings on Sunday, June 21st, was a community barbecue co-hosted by Taz Well Servicing and R360 Environmental Solutions, featuring hamburgers, bannock, and more.

Jingle and round dances took place in the green space across from the North Peace Cultural Centre, powered by the beat of pow wow drummers.