In determiNATION songs three native artists use voice, rhythms, samples and guitar riffs to cut through big ‘P’ politics to reveal a vibrant native music scene while exposing the realities and struggles in their communities. As resistance grows across Indian country, this film about music, art and politics pulls aboriginal stories from the back pages and puts them squarely at the front of the stage.

Official website : http://pmm.qc.ca/determinationfilm

OFFICIAL SELECTION :

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM)
International Festival of Audiovisual Programs - Biarritz (FIPA)
Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois (RVCQ)
Montreal Human Rights Film Festival (FFDPM)

Bilingual trailer :

Directed by Michelle Smith and Paul Rickard, determiNATION songs interweaves the stories of three talented native singer/songwriters - Samian, Cheri Maracle and CerAmony – through the artists’ creative process, inspiration, commitment and involvement with the resistance movements in their communities.

A rising star on the Quebec music scene, hip hop artist Samian raps in Algonquin about his personal struggles growing up, giving voice to a generation of dispossessed youth and obliging Quebecers to confront their historical relationship with First Nations.

Cheri Maracle, nominated for best female artist at the 2008 Aboriginal Music Awards, recently returned to her community of Six Nations. She sings about life on the rez and the struggle over unceded Mohawk land. She expresses what life is like for First Nations women, and pays homage to the thousands of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.

Cree rockers Pakesso Mukash and Mathew Iserhoff, members of CerAmony, use Pak’s powerful guitar and Mat’s soaring vocals to air the concerns of their people disenchanted with the destruction and sell off of Cree land to Hydro Quebec and big industry.

Growing up, many young Aboriginal artists experienced a loss of traditional culture and language. Music became a vehicle to reclaim native language and aspects of traditional culture that have been slowly eroding over centuries of colonial policy.

In the process, their work becomes a powerful source of strength, cultural renewal and political awareness for members of their community, particularly the youth, be it on or off reserve, in the city or in isolated settlements. For the broader public, these artists move people to dance, cry, think and act, all the while becoming more aware of the concerns facing First Nations peoples today.

Check out the official website for more information : http://pmm.qc.ca/determinationfilm

For information, interviews : Malcolm Guy, mguy[at]pmm.qc.ca ; Isabelle Dame, idame[at]pmm.qc.ca - 514 842-4047