NEWS RELEASE
UNITED WAY SIMCOE MUSKOKA
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Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, and United Way Simcoe Muskoka have come together to present a free screening of the documentary Birth of a Family in Orillia on Sept. 28, 2022.
The film details the truth about the “Sixties Scoop” and the impact these destructive events had on the families, heritage, tradition, and identities of Indigenous Peoples.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with local elders, knowledge keepers, Sixties Scoop survivors, community advocates and the Working Together – Wiijinokiiwag program facilitator for a discussion about how we can create a better future for all people.
While not required, donations will be collected. Funds raised will be directed to Working Together – Wiijinokiiwag, a trauma-informed and holistic community mobilization initiative focused on creating conversations and community awareness that enhances life promotion and cultural safety education that saves lives and creates new collaborations of the future for all peoples to thrive.
Film synopsis: In this deeply moving feature-length documentary, three sisters and a brother meet for the first time. Removed from their young Dene mother during the infamous Sixties Scoop, they were separated as infants and adopted into families across North America.
Betty Ann, Esther, Rosalie, and Ben were only four of the 20,000 Indigenous Canadian children taken from their families between 1955 and 1985, to be either adopted into white families or live in foster care. As the four siblings piece together their shared history, their connection deepens, and their family begins to take shape.
When: Sept. 28, 2022 – 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Best Western PLUS Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre, 400 Memorial Ave., Orillia
Who: This event is free and open to the public. There are still a few tickets left, available through Eventbrite.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birth-of-a-family-documentary-event-tickets-400281170757
More Information: https://uwsimcoemuskoka.ca/birth-of-a-family/
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