The Williams Lake First Nation was at the heart of the excitement at the Oscars this year, as the documentary Sugarcane competed for Best Documentary Feature
Chief Willie Sellars brought tradition to Hollywood, performing a traditional dance in front of the Oscars banner on the red carpet in Los Angeles, while back home in Williams Lake, community members gathered to watch the ceremony together.
Though Sugarcane didn’t take home the Oscar, the film has already received international acclaim winning top awards at Sundance and from the Directors Guild of America.
Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCatand Emily Kassie the documentary follows Charlene Belleau and Whitney Spearing’s investigation into the St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School exposing its dark history of abuse and neglect.
The Oscars screening event in Williams Lake was a night of celebration and reflection with community members dressing up, sharing food, and honoring the film’s powerful message.
While the Oscar went to No Other Land, Sugarcane continues to shine a global spotlight on Canada’s residential school legacy.
