The Road Forward facts for kids
The Road Forward is a 2017 musical documentary film. It was written and directed by Marie Clements. This movie tells the story of important moments for Indigenous rights in Canada. It covers events from the 1930s up to today. The film was made by the National Film Board of Canada.
About The Road Forward
Marie Clements got the idea for The Road Forward from an old newspaper. She was looking through headlines from Native Voice. This was an Indigenous newspaper from British Columbia. She first learned about it while doing research for the 2010 Cultural Olympics. This event happened during the Vancouver Olympics.
The headlines and stories in the newspaper inspired her. She started writing songs based on them. Then, she worked with friends who were composers. They helped her put music to her words.
The Story It Tells
In the film, you will hear from members of the Native Brotherhood and Native Sisterhood. These groups started in 1931 and 1933. They talk about how the Native Voice newspaper helped bring First Nations in British Columbia people together. The film shows how these groups worked to make life better for Indigenous people.
From Stage to Screen
The Road Forward was first a musical theatre show. It was performed in 2015 at Vancouver's Touchstone Theatre. Later, it was turned into the film we see today.
The movie features many talented Indigenous actors and musicians. Some of them include Murray Porter, Michelle St. John, Cheri Maracle, and Evan Adams. Songwriter Wayne Lavallee is also in the film. You will also see hip-hop artist Ronnie Dean Harris. Métis fiddler Jeremy James Lavallee also performs.
Film Release
The Road Forward first showed on April 30, 2017. This was at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto. After that, it was shown at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival in Vancouver on May 4.
