WAG-Qaumajuq celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with world premiere of The Lake Winnipeg Project by Kevin Settee

Presented in partnership with Decolonizing Lens and the National Film Board

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory, June 10, 2021: In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day WAG-Qaumajuq will host the world premiere of The Lake Winnipeg Project, a new series of films from filmmaker Kevin Settee. A partnership with Decolonizing Lens and the National Film Board of Canada, The Lake Winnipeg Project premiere will screen virtually for free on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21 at 6PM CST. Add the link to your calendar on Eventive.

The Lake Winnipeg Project is a four-part documentary series exploring life and culture around Lake Winnipeg. Produced by the National Film Board, the films take a community-based approach to storytelling. The Indigenous-led project explores the communities’ deep connection to the land and water at a time when many external forces are imposing change.

The screening is also part of the lead-up to the upcoming inaugural Indigenous Triennial at WAG-Qaumajuq, Naadohbii: To Draw Water, and will feature a special segment from the curators. Presented by BMO Financial Group, Naadohbii: To Draw Water is scheduled to open in July 2021, bringing together contemporary art from Turtle Island, New Zealand, and Australia, including commissioned works. Naadohbii: To Draw Water will illustrate the solidarity between Indigenous nations across the globe around environmental, political, and human rights issues and relationships to water.

Quick Facts: 

• The Lake Winnipeg Project is a four-part documentary series exploring life and culture around Lake Winnipeg, produced by the National Film Board and directed by Kevin Settee.
• The series includes four films: Matheson Island, Poplar River, Camp Morningstar and Fisher River.
• The Winnipeg Art Gallery will host the world premiere as part of the Decolonizing Lens film series.
• After the online screening of four short films (55 min) by Kevin Settee, the event will be followed by a 30 min virtual panel with director Kevin Settee and community members Kailey Arthurson (Fisher River); Lisa Raven (Camp Morningstar); Chelsea Whiteway (Matheson Island); and moderated by Jaimie Isaac, WAG-Qaumajuq Curator of Indigenous & Contemporary Art.
• After the premiere screening, The Lake Winnipeg Project will be available to view on nfb.ca.
• Over 1,300 fans have been following the project’s progression at facebook.com/lakewpgproject/

Quotes: 

“I’m happy we are releasing these documentaries with the WAG and Decolonizing Lens. These films are a culmination of community work and collaboration from start to finish over the past four years, and I’m so thankful we were all able to make these together.”
— Kevin Settee, filmmaker

“I am very honoured to be presenting these NFB films by Kevin Settee at WAG-Qaumajuq in partnership with Decolonizing Lens. Thank you to all of the community members from Matheson Island, Fisher River, Poplar River and Hollow Water that shared their stories and are part of this event. Our world is profoundly and intrinsically linked to water for human survival and this event provides a platform for Indigenous water protectors to encourage everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to take action.”
— Julia Lafreniere, WAG-Qaumajuq Head of Indigenous Initiatives

“Decolonizing Lens is thrilled to work with our amazing partners at WAG-Qaumajuq and the National Film Board to bring these essential films to audiences in Manitoba and beyond. Kevin Settee has created four short films with community members close to Lake Winnipeg. This virtual premiere makes it safe and accessible to view these incredible films from anywhere. Don’t miss the conversation afterwards, where we’ll hear from the community members that are at the centre of these films.”
— Dr. Jocelyn Thorpe, Associate Professor, Gender Studies and History, University of Manitoba

Support

WAG-Qaumajuq thanks the National Film Board and Decolonizing Lens partners the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Women’s and Gender Studies program at the University of Manitoba, and Naadohbii: To Draw Water Lead Sponsor BMO Financial Group.

Associated Links

Eventive
wag.ca event
Naadohbii: To Draw Water
facebook.com/lakewpgproject/

Stay Connected

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram #atwag #qaumajuq365

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Amy Rebecca Harrison
Engagement Supervisor
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1347
aharrison@wag.ca

The Winnipeg Art Gallery (the WAG) is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. The WAG holds in trust the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. To celebrate the art and to honour the Inuit, the WAG built Qaumajuq, the Inuit art centre. Now open, the centre bridges Canada’s North and South through exhibitions, research, education, and art making. To learn more visit wag.ca

The Decolonizing Lens is a film and discussion series that features the work and words of Indigenous artists from Winnipeg and beyond. The Decolonizing Lens creates a space to celebrate the work of Indigenous filmmakers in Canada and the incorporation of Indigenous actors, directors, producers and narratives in film. Supported by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and the Women’s and Gender Studies program at the University of Manitoba, the Decolonizing Lens holds screenings and discussions in person or via livestream.

The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca

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