Alanis Obomsawin is a renowned Abenaki filmmaker, singer, and activist. She is best known for her documentaries on Indigenous rights and history in Canada, which have been shown at film festivals and on television around the world.
Obomsawin was born in New Hampshire in 1932 and grew up in Quebec. She began her career as a singer and musician, performing traditional Abenaki songs and stories at various events and festivals. In the 1970s, she turned her attention to filmmaking, producing several short films about Indigenous cultures and issues.
In 1977, Obomsawin released her first feature-length documentary, “Christmas at Moose Factory,” which was about the lives of Indigenous people in Northern Ontario. Since then, she has directed over 50 documentaries, including “Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance,” which chronicles the 1990 Oka Crisis, and “We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice,” which explores the impact of colonialism on Indigenous children in Canada.
Obomsawin’s films have won numerous awards and have been recognized for their important contributions to Indigenous activism and storytelling. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Obomsawin has also been an advocate for Indigenous rights, speaking out on issues such as the residential school system and Indigenous land rights.
Obomsawin’s films are an important resource for those seeking to learn more about Indigenous cultures and histories, and her activism has helped to bring attention to important issues affecting Indigenous communities in Canada. She is a true champion for Indigenous voices and a respected figure in the world of documentary filmmaking.
