ABC mini-series features Alberta First Nations actors

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Hallmark Entertainment's mini-series Dreamkeeper is guaranteed to be a hit with viewers when it airs on ABC Dec. 28 and 29, if the reaction from people at the special screening held Nov. 8 in Calgary is any indication.

The made-for-television movie took 78 days to film in more than 70 locations across southern Alberta, with more than 1,500 Aboriginal people involved in its making.

The screening of Dreamkeeper was attended by more than 800 people. Robin Wortman, the Aboriginal advisor for the Dreamkeeper production, was among them. He said he is proud to be a part of the film and the tremendous story it tells.

The story begins on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Old Pete Chasing Horse (played by August Schellenberg of Black Robe fame) is a storyteller nearing 100 years old. One boy who could use the wisdom contained in the old man's stories is Pete's grandson, Shane (played by Eddie Spears of Geronimo), a 17-year-old member of a street gang. He owes his gang money, so when the opportunity comes to escort his grandfather to a ceremony in New Mexico, Shane jumps at the chance to leave town. And Old Pete jumps at what could be his last chance to reach out to the boy with the legends and stories of his people.

"It certainly showcases Aboriginal culture, and certainly storytelling is very much a part of our culture and heritage and that message certainly comes through in the film," said Wortman.

"What really made me proud was watching the film and knowing the people after spending time with them who were on the screen, in the background. They are from our communities here in Alberta and that is what made me proud. This film really shows the spirit and talent of the Aboriginal community. Everyone really worked hard in the film."

The cast includes a veritable who's who of Native talent, including Gordon Tootoosis, Michael Greyeyes, Margo Kane, Nathaniel Arcand, John Trudell, Gary Farmer, Dakota House, Tantoo Cardinal, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Travis Dugas, Cody Lightning and Jimmy Herman.

Dugas, who plays Blackfoot warrior Ekuskini in Dreamkeeper, said working on the film was a life-changing experience for him.

"I cried a couple of times. It was very powerful. It touched on a lot of issues. When I was 16 years old, my father came home to die. He had a heart attack. He knew he was going to go, but I never understood why he came home to pass on. I never ever went through a grieving process, but here in this mini-series in another Aboriginal culture I finally got to grieve over my dad and I let him go," said Dugas, who believes the film will also help build the self-esteem of Native nations.

"We are starting to like ourselves, and we are learning to love one another rather than putting each other down. We are starting to use our teachings from the past to learn how to love. We are all keepers of the dream. Someone once told me that what we have as Aboriginal people no other people have, so it is important for us to continue on with our traditions, cultures, stories and language. This is important to me," said Travis Dugas.

Chief Chris Shade of the Blood Tribe took a more pragmatic approach to the making of the film.

"What we are trying to do by promoting this film at this screening is to create an awareness, not only from an Aboriginal perspective, but from Alberta's movie industry to look at some of the careers that First Nations communities can get involved in," said Shade. "The youth can begin to look into acting as a career goal. The movie industry is a whole different world by itself and there are many career opportunities there for our youth."

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein addressed the crowd with a few words in Blackfoot before thanking everyone involved in the film.

"It is a great pleasure to be here this evening for Aboriginal contribution in the film industry. As I understand it, Dreamkeeper not only tells of the legends and stories of North American First Nations, but it also showcases th incredible talent and skills of Alberta's Aboriginal people. It goes without saying the generosity of the leaders of the Sunchild and O'Chiese First Nations made this possible for the way they welcomed the film-makers, and provided access in their communities for the film crew. A film certainly cannot be produced without the co-operation and involvement of all the partners involved, and of course Hallmark Entertainment deserves to be congratulated for providing such a fine film and for coming to Alberta to produce it," he said.

"We'd like to thank the Aboriginal community for giving us this opportunity," said Dreamkeeper producer Matthew O'Connor. "The ABC executive vice-president for mini-series and movies, after he watched the movie, said that this is the best movie ABC has ever made. This movie may even make it to the Golden Globes and Emmys for best mini-series."