NFB series pack emotional punch

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After watching the national Film Board series Daughters of the Country in the mid '80s, a film reviewer commented that "not much has changed in 200 years." He was referring to the attitudes between white and Native society detailed in the series. It's been six years since that review, and sadly, still not much has changed.

The award-winning series is four one-hour films produced by Norma Bailey. Each film is a period piece that examines the "cultural gulf" between whites and natives through the experiences of Indian and Metis women. The films were shown recently at the Colin Low Theatre in Canada Place as part of 1993 Works: A Visual Art Celebration.

The films that I saw, Places Not Our Own and Women of the Shadows, packed quite an emotional whollop. They are disturbing, emotional and frustrating films that highlight intolerance in a stinging yet subtle way. The high quality writing, direction and acting made this probably the best two hours I've ever spent in a theatre.

Here is a run down of the series:

Ikwe- which means 'woman' in Ojibway - is about first contact between whites and natives in 1770 as seen through the eyes of a Native woman. The woman, who marries a white man, struggles to maintain both cultures. Written by Wendy Lill, Ikwe has won scads of awards over the years for best drama and best writing, and is the strongest film in the series.

Mistress Madeline tells the story of a Metis woman who is manipulated, dominated and used by the settlement commander, a Hudson Bay Co. trader, only to be cast aside upon the arrival of white women from England. Co-written by Anne Cameron and Aaron Kim Johnston.

Places Not Our Own is a provoking yet painful story of the L'Esperance family in rural Manitoba in 1929. As Metis, they have no land titles or reserves and are forced to live as squatters, the film chronicles their struggle to maintain pride and values in the face of social ostracism. A compelling story by Sandra Birdsell.

Set in 1985, Sharon Riis' The Wake is about the social ostracism still facing Metis people today. Set in a small Alberta town, a group of Metis youths encounter racism in its ugliest form. It's only through a tragic accident that the community becomes united. A Gemini winner.

Women in the Shadows isn't part of the series, but it is well worth seeing. Written and produced by Christine Welsh, it's a docu-drama about a Metis woman's search for identity. Her search for her Metis heritage and one-on-one conversations with family members.

Daughters of the Country and Women in the Shadows are available on videotape.

For more information, call the NFB (403) 495-3013.