Shelters in the Territories

(Music plays)
(Visual: Scenic view of forest, trees in the foreground, looking out over water)

(Visual: In Fall 2017, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Indian Reserve in Ontario began construction on a shelter for survivors of domestic violence)

(Visual: The shelter will serve residents of their own and surrounding communities)

(Visual: The shelter will help them in their journey…)

(Visual: Car drives past the wooden “Welcome to Wiikwemkoong” sign beside the road)

Duke: Family is the cornerstone of what makes our community operate.

(Visual: View passing by, driving on road, of houses in community.)
(Visual: Duke Peltier, sitting in the Wiikwemkoong Band Office, in a wood panelled room, interview.)

Duke: Togetherness is something that each of the families here in our community have maintained uh, throughout uh… up to this day.

(Visual: Duke Peltier
Ogimaa (Chief) of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory)

(Visual: Exterior of Wiikwemkoong Band Office building, area lined with bare winter trees, bright green grass in front of building.)

Duke: And that’s one of the things that we continue to- to nurture.

(Visual: Person walking up to front door of Wiikwemkoong Band Office building.)

Mary Pheasant: Hopefully this place will help plant a lot of seeds in people’s minds.

(Visual: Mary Pheasant outside, standing in front of water, interview.)

Visual: Mary Pheasant
Shelter Manager)

Mary Pheasant: So- and that desire. To know that somebody cares, sometimes that’s all that somebody needs, is to know that somebody cares, and that’ll make a big difference in their life.

(Visual: Empty grassy field, sign for the Wiikwemkoong Shelter for Victims of Violence.)

Mary Jo Wabano: Providing that safe place where they can reconnect with self, reconnect with their children.

(Visual: Mary Jo Wabano, sitting in front of stack of wood, interview.)

(Visual:Mary Jo Wabano
Health Services Director)

Mary Jo Wabano: And then once they exit the facility and go back to their home, that they’re reconnecting with their family again.

(Visual: Cars driving on road past wooden Wiikwemkoong welcome sign, trees showing fall colours, houses visible through trees.)

Mary Jo Wabano: Holistic well being is not just the focus on the woman and the child, it’s the focus on that man also.

(Visual: Kids playing in fenced in field)
(Visual: View passing by, driving past rows of houses, cars parked in front)

Mary Jo Wabano: And again, now we know men are in the position where they may need that place to go with their children.

(Visual: Mary Jo Wabano and Mary Pheasant stand in grassy field near Wiikwemkoong Shelter for Victims of Violence sign.)

Mary Jo Wabano: We have been approved for 13 bedrooms, with a maximum capacity of 17 individuals.

(Visual: Mary Jo Wabano and Mary Pheasant walk in field near Wiikwemkoong Shelter for Victims of Violence sign, talking to each other.)

Mary Jo Wabano: In one wing we will be able to support the youth, so we’ve separated the youth component.

(Visual: Mary Jo Wabano, sitting in front of stacks of logs, interview.)

Mary Jo Wabano: And the opposite wing will be designated for families.

(Visual: Mary Jo Wabano and Mary Pheasant walk in grassy field near Wiikwemkoong Shelter for Victims of Violence sign, talking to each other.)
(Visual: Mary Pheasant outside, in front of water, interview.)

Mary Pheasant: In using our culture, and our philosophies, and our ceremonies, and our ways of restoring, revitalizing, our way of being with a new connection to the land.

(Visual: Shots of a beautiful sculpture depicting birds in flight.)
(Visual: Shots of Indigenous art hanging on wall, sculpture)
(Visual: Duke Peltier, sitting in the Wiikwemkoong Band Office, in a wood panelled room, interview.)

Duke: Just where the very placement of the facility and the selection of the site, you’re gonna be seeing a- a sunrise come over the- the community, over the lake. And that’s what we’re looking to offer to those that are seeking a safe environment.

(Visual: Mary Pheasant and Mary Jo Wabano look over future site of shelter, talking to each other, gesturing at the site in grassy field.)

Duke: There’s- there’s- it’s gonna be a new day. And we’re gonna give them that new day.

(Visual: Scenic shots of trees in foreground, looking out over the water, time lapse, clouds race overhead.)

(Music plays)
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(Music ends)
(Fade to black)