National film board release highlights Alberta First Nation

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It took more than a century, but the Thebatthi (Chipewyan) people of Smith's Landing, Alta., finally held the Canadian government to its promise.

Determined to see the government honor an 1899 treaty, Francois Paulette devoted more than 25 years of his life to that cause. As chief negotiator for the Smith's Landing First Nation (located in northern Alberta on the Slave River), Francois and his brother, Chief Jerry Paulette, struggled to keep their land claim process going.

The final, turbulent years of negotiations are the subject of the National Film Board of Canada documentary Honour of the Crown, which debuts on CBC Television's documentary series WITNESS March 13 at 8 p.m.

Honour of the Crown also will be screened at Edmonton's Local Heroes International Film Festival on March 16 at 2 p.m. at the Princess Theatre.

Facing years of delays and generation after generation of government bureaucrats, the Thebatthi people finally reclaimed nine tracts of land and $33 million in compensation.

"It symbolizes our commitment to honoring the spirit and intent (of the treaty) that we allowed Europeans to co-exist with us here, side by side, as equals in terms of nation-to-nation," said Chief Paulette.

Featuring interviews with band members and provincial and federal government representatives, this documentary provides a rare glimpse into one community's success in settling a 100-year-old treaty obligation.

Honour of the Crown is directed by Tom Radford and produced by Jerry Krepakevich and Tom Radford. Associate director is Rhonda Delorme; Bonnie Thompson is the associate producer. The executive producer is Graydon McCrea.