We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice facts for kids

We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice is a Canadian documentary film from 2016. It was directed by Alanis Obomsawin. The movie is about Cindy Blackstock, an activist for First Nations people. It shows her important court case against the Canadian government. This case was about the government not giving enough money for social services for children living on First Nations reserves.

The film explains how the government did not want to use something called Jordan's Principle. This principle helps make sure First Nations children get the services they need. David Nahwegahbow, a lawyer for the Assembly of First Nations, also appears in the film. He talks about how the government tried to avoid its promises to Indigenous peoples. Alanis Obomsawin followed this court case for six years to make the film. She recorded what people on all sides had to say.

We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice is the 49th film that Alanis Obomsawin has directed for the National Film Board of Canada.

Understanding the Film's Story

This film tells an important story about fairness. It focuses on a big court case in Canada. This case was about making sure First Nations children get the same support as other children in Canada.

Who are First Nations?

First Nations are one of the three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada. They have lived on this land for thousands of years. Many First Nations communities live on special areas of land called reserves.

What is Jordan's Principle?

Jordan's Principle is a rule in Canada. It says that all First Nations children should get the health and social services they need. It means they should get these services without delays. Also, it means they should not have to worry about which government department pays for them. The film shows how the government struggled to follow this important principle.

Making the Documentary

Filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin spent six years working on this movie. She wanted to show the full story of the court case. She recorded many interviews and court hearings. This helped her share the experiences of everyone involved.

Where the Film Was Shown

The film first appeared at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival in 2016. After that, it was shown at other Canadian film festivals. This included the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.