Wholistic Conversations on Liver Wellness: An Indigenous Perspective
This DocuStory film shares conversations on wellness featuring unique stories from various personal and professional experiences and seasons of life. These eye-opening conversations share the impact the Indigenous community is making on awareness for the importance of liver health rooted in traditional culture and ways of life. These conversations put emphasis on looking forward to teaching future generations the importance of the liver, and how imperative it is to overall health and well-being.
Co-created and produced with First Nations and Metis community members in Alberta.
Kate Dunn is an Anishinaabe woman who works in a collaborative role increasing awareness and access to Hepatitis C treatment and cure for Indigenous communities in Alberta. Bringing a background in nursing, a master’s in public health, and recently as part of this media project, a Doctorate in Social Sciences at Royal Roads University focusing on Indigenous Health. Kate’s director debut in this Wisdom Seeking research project spends time with Indigenous Knowledge Holders listening to memories, stories, and perspectives on traditional health and liver wellness in co-creating a visual story relevant for all ages.
Through conversations in a clinical role with Indigenous community members and healthcare team members the gap in culturally connected awareness resources for liver health was highlighted and directly correlated to the low engagement in screening and treatment for hepatitis C. This motivated conversations with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and a journey to co-create a resource focusing on the traditional approach of sharing knowledge through story, paired with land-based visuals, as a way of using media to share cultural perspectives focusing on wellness. Although inspired by my Grandmother and the health literacy issues she faced as an Indigenous woman, this creative journey involved Indigenous community members across Alberta and would not be possible without their love, time, patience and advice guiding this journey to incorporate both a traditional Indigenous wellness perspective with a medical background in health education.
Special gratitude and honor to all my relations and to the creative family who supported this project:
Elders Co-Designing the Script
Jeanette Wildman (Stoney Nakoda First Nation)
Kehew (Enoch Cree First Nation)
Emil Durocher (Fishing Lake Metis Settlement)
Frank Daniels (Cree First Nation)
Alice Kaquitts (Stoney Nakoda First Nation)
Doreen Spence (Saddle Lake First Nation)
Edmee Comstock (Red River Metis Settlement)
Maurice Little Wolf (Piikani First Nation)
Director / Producer
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)
Indigenous Community Creative Partners
Bonnie Weasel Moccasin (Kainai First Nation)
Mercedes Russell (Kainai First Nation)
Eithan Carter (Sikisika First Nation)
Kendra Jessie Rosychuck (Sucker Creek First Nation)
Haley Shade (Kainai First Nation)
Harley Crowshoe (Piikani First Nation)
Videographers
Rene Collins (Metis)
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)
Graphic Artist
Katriona Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)
Music
Olivia Tailfeathers (Kainai First Nation)
Sherryl Sewepagaham (Little Red River Cree First Nation)