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Review: ‘Sugarcane’ unearths abuses of a Canadian school program meant for Indigenous children

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Review: 'Sugarcane' unearths abuses of a Canadian school program meant for Indigenous children

As I sat down to watch “Sugarcane”, I was struck by the raw, unfiltered stories of resilience and survival that unfolded before me. The film is more than just a documentary; it’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have endured unspeakable pain at the hands of a system designed to erase their culture and identity.

1. A rundown barn where, long ago, children who were trapped wrote messages such as “73 days more.” An elderly woman, a victim of a priest’s abuse during her youth, recalls the day when she first resorted to alcohol. An unattended newborn growing up to become an indifferent father, whose own son prevents three generations from enduring solitude.

The tale of sugarcane echoes throughout Canada, encompassing numerous stories about actions taken and unspoken truths surrounding the distress inflicted on Indigenous communities by the residential school system established by the white-settled nation. Initiated in the 19th century under the prejudiced belief that Indigenous people were an issue to be addressed, these educational institutions promoted assimilation but ultimately resulted in enduring suffering, from forced separation that devastated families to the widespread abuse that defined students’ experiences within them.

Although schools have been closed for some time now, with the last federally funded one closing in 1997, filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie reveal that the effects of shame, pain, and regret continue to impact First Nations survivors and their descendants. This is evident as they grapple with their past, sometimes finding answers along the way. The documentary weaves together a poignant narrative about life on the Sugarcane Reserve in British Columbia, where recent discoveries of unmarked graves at St. Joseph’s, a Catholic Church-run residential school, have made headlines and prompted an intense investigation led by its young chief Willie Sellars. In addition to digging up the site, using ground-penetrating radar, and assembling an evidence board of photographs, timelines, and index cards, there is also a renewed effort towards healing within the community through traditional rituals, communal gatherings, and open dialogue.

Review: 'Sugarcane' unearths abuses of a Canadian school program meant for Indigenous children

The unique method used in creating “Sugarcane” movie, which delves into the intricate details of an unsolved case while revealing the destructive effects of decades of rumors and secrecy, is what gives it its intense impact. There’s a strong sense of unease that spans through time, particularly noticeable when the troubled present we observe contradicts the false sense of normalcy depicted in old school photos, official records, and rare glimpses of a Canadian TV documentary from 1962 that portrayed residential schools’ religious instruction with a cheerful image.

The scenery seems to echo a profound emotional complexity. It enchants with its stunning natural charm and vastness, yet simultaneously highlights the isolation of locations such as St. Joseph’s, where darkness can hide. However, a more poignant feeling of grandeur eventually emerges from the stories people tell, which are filled with suffering, violence, loss, and death.

We trace the journey of one survivor – resilient ex-chief Rick Gilbert from Williams Lake, who retained his faith as a Christian – to Vatican City, forming part of an entourage seeking a papal apology. During this voyage, in a heartfelt conversation with a bishop, as the camera focuses on his rugged countenance and a tear trickles down, you may find yourself convinced that, in that instant, he exhibits an extraordinary strength, rivaling that of the world’s mightiest men.

The journey has been more challenging for co-director NoiseCat’s father, Ed, a quiet and exceptionally skilled woodworker. He’s been grappling with the harsh truth of being abandoned as a newborn, a situation sadly familiar for many infants at St. Joseph’s, where abandonment often meant death in a fiercely burning furnace. This near-obliteration is almost incomprehensible and has left a lasting impact on NoiseCat’s family. However, the film powerfully illustrates that silence only grants it more power.

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2024-08-19 00:31

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