About the Film Series
Stories of Decolonization is a multi-film interview-based documentary project that shares personal stories in order to explore accessible understandings of colonialism and its continued impact on those living on the lands now called Canada. It also explores notions and actions of decolonization.
Stories of Decolonization: Land Dispossession and Settlement is the first short film of the series, focusing specifically on stories of personal and ancestral connections to these lands. Come experience this film, build awareness, participate in dialogue, and take action!
Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations is the second film in the series, is the project’s newest release. In this bilingual film (French and English, with subtitles), personal stories are woven into key insights regarding ongoing processes and structures of colonialism in Canada, and regarding the relationships and social locations carried by diverse peoples living on lands occupied by the Canadian state. With sensitivity to the intersectional oppressions experienced by diverse groups and the challenges these present, the film illuminates pathways forward toward solidarity, deeper relationality, and decolonization.
Stories of Decolonization is a multi-film interview-based documentary project that shares personal stories in order to explore accessible understandings of colonialism and its continued impact on those living on the lands now called Canada. It also explores notions and actions of decolonization.
Stories of Decolonization: Land Dispossession and Settlement is the first short film of the series, focusing specifically on stories of personal and ancestral connections to these lands. Come experience this film, build awareness, participate in dialogue, and take action!
Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations is the second film in the series, is the project’s newest release. In this bilingual film (French and English, with subtitles), personal stories are woven into key insights regarding ongoing processes and structures of colonialism in Canada, and regarding the relationships and social locations carried by diverse peoples living on lands occupied by the Canadian state. With sensitivity to the intersectional oppressions experienced by diverse groups and the challenges these present, the film illuminates pathways forward toward solidarity, deeper relationality, and decolonization.
About the Filmmakers
Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot is a father, husband, and filmmaker. He is Black, Ethiopian, Greek, and Canadian; a non-Indigenous person who receives settler colonial privilege in this system: A settler. He is against capitalism, and believes there is no good future under this system for people or life on earth. Instead, Teddy believes we need a queer, anti-racist, decolonial ecosocialism.
Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot is a father, husband, and filmmaker. He is Black, Ethiopian, Greek, and Canadian; a non-Indigenous person who receives settler colonial privilege in this system: A settler. He is against capitalism, and believes there is no good future under this system for people or life on earth. Instead, Teddy believes we need a queer, anti-racist, decolonial ecosocialism.
Elizabeth (Liz) Carlson-Manathara is a settler scholar of Swedish, German, Sámi, Scots-Irish, and English ancestry. As a Treaty relative of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850, Liz is learning how to live in Indigenous Sovereignty with Anishinaabe peoples and lands (N’Swakamok, Sudbury, Ontario). She is a faculty member in the social work program at Laurentian University whose scholarship focuses on ways settlers can engage with and support Indigenous sovereignty and Land Back.
Gladys Rowe (she/her) is a Muskego Inniniw (Swampy Cree) person who also holds relations with ancestors from Ireland, England, Norway, and Ukraine. She is a member of Fox Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 5 in Northern Manitoba. Gladys is an Indigenous Scholar doing work that supports Indigenous resurgence through many pathways including leading Indigenous evaluation & learning, supporting Indigenous birthkeepers, designing curriculum, and sharing stories through workshops, film, and podcasting.
About the Filmmaking Process
Stories of Decolonization aims to help viewers build awareness, think critically, and take action. Sharing heart-level stories personalizes history for viewers and this can help fuel motivation to work towards decolonization in their own contexts. This supports the work Indigenous people already do and invites non-Indigenous people to act and relate with integrity, working towards a just society.
We have written about our collaborative filmmaking process and what we have learned so far on our journey together in Decolonization through collaborative filmmaking: Sharing stories from the heart
NEW! Listen to a Podcast Interview with Scott Neigh on Talking Radical Radio Podcast (August 2022): Story and film as tools for decolonization.
Stories of Decolonization aims to help viewers build awareness, think critically, and take action. Sharing heart-level stories personalizes history for viewers and this can help fuel motivation to work towards decolonization in their own contexts. This supports the work Indigenous people already do and invites non-Indigenous people to act and relate with integrity, working towards a just society.
We have written about our collaborative filmmaking process and what we have learned so far on our journey together in Decolonization through collaborative filmmaking: Sharing stories from the heart
NEW! Listen to a Podcast Interview with Scott Neigh on Talking Radical Radio Podcast (August 2022): Story and film as tools for decolonization.