Original subtitles

No, I don't know what you're talking about.

Watch out.

Hey, get out of here.

Hey have a drink of that.

Ew, you're sick!

This is my hide-Out; this is where I come everyday.

Just playin' around. Yo, there's a bike.

Put this here last week, now look at it.

Yeah, right.

Yeah, right.

You should take this for a ride--

Oh no.

Come on get in.

Check this out.

Oh my god.

Think I can sit on this?

What can we do?

I'm bored, guys.

That's good.

No, more.

Here, here, do it for me.

Okay, let's try to light this.

Hey! Save some for me.

Hey! Save some for me.

Try this, try this, this'll get you good.

Yes, fire. Take.

holy.

Hahaha, ooo oh.

Want some of this?

in the beginning

the creator sent out its thought.

This thought went out into the darkness

and it had a feeling sound,

but nothing came back to him.

So he began to create.

He created this world, this universe,

man and woman so that when this thought went out

it would come back to him.

Hmm, okay, creation story.

Hmm, okay, creation story.

Thank you, Cecil.

Okay.

I know you're trying to do a good thing here, Victor...

Doing these videos.

But culture isn't just what we've been talking about:

The old days, the old ways.

The good stuff that makes us who we are.

But it's also what goes on today.

But it's also what goes on today.

If you look around you, culture is on display

everyday.

Family violence, alcoholism,

drug abuse, incest, suicide, corruption...

that's our culture now.

Look at this shit.

They going to get away with this again?

...of the nepoose family and their supporters,

the protestors maintain their position

that the fire that broke out two weeks ago

and killed Margaret nepoose and her two small children

was a result of a deliberate torching of the band office.

As far as my family is concerned,

they were destroying incriminating files

before a government audit

and my sister and her children were their victims.

and my sister and her children were their victims.

Blackstone chief Andy Fraser reiterated his claim

the fire that spread from the band office

was accidental, the result of janitor

Ricky Baptiste's careless smoking.

Bullshit!!!

we expect the investigation to be concluded early

next week, we've already posted notice for a band meeting--

I didn't hear about any band meeting.

Oh fuck it Leona, honestly.

Like that's gonna do anything.

Let me ask you something:

Why is it the first thing the media throws in our faces

Why is it the first thing the media throws in our faces

is that indian people are allegedly

mismanaging Canada's precious tax dollars?

Answer me that.

Oh I see, you've never spent one single solitary day

on a reserve in your life, have you honey?

Well I suggest you come and live in our communities,

deal with the things that we have to deal with on a daily basis.

The drugs, the alcohol, the suicide, the glue sniffing.

The drugs, the alcohol, the suicide, the glue sniffing.

I said it before and I'll say it again:

The underlying problem is with inadequate funding. Period end.

And the only way out from underneath it is to get out

from underneath the indian act and exercise our right

to self government.

God damn you, Victor.

You're supposed to be filming elders, that's all.

The chief saw you there.

Now he's going to think you're one of them

and put us on his shit list.

What do we have here?

Sanitation services budget passed.

Boys, we'll have the cleanest shit-Houses

north of the 49th parallel.

Uh, that will be all for you today gentleman.

You can see the lady about your cheques on the way out.

Hey uh...

tell your wife I'll be home in an hour.

She'll be at my house!

She'll be at my house!

Okay, now about the T.L.E. Selection at Wolf Willow.

Blackstone holdings grants the mortgages

as security for an operating line of credit

for nu-West to manage the band farm.

And inac will sign off?

We'll consider it an internal t.L.E. Agreement,

especially with no B.C.R.

In that case, pursuant to the revenue sides agreement,

I say we up it uh... I don't know...

8 dollars an acre for each of us sound about right boys?

8 dollars an acre for each of us sound about right boys?

Hey man, fuck off with that camera!

Natalie.

Hey um... mind if I have a word with you?

Why?

Why?

You want to fuck me too?

I'll come and talk to you later,

when you're... straight.

Beautiful experience we had last night.

For a moment in our life we forgot where we were,

even time didn't exist while we were there

in that sweat lodge.

To leave your pain there.

To leave your pain there.

Leave your anger there.

Leave your doubt there.

Leave your prayer there, come out a new person

and go on in life.

But then you leave the safety and the comfort

of the treatment centre and you're back here

on the res and the negativity crowds in...

am I going to make it this time?

am I going to make it this time?

And I know, because I've been where you are now.

You know, fighting my demons.

Busy blaming the world for my misery.

"Oh that indian affairs", "Oh that mean white man",

"That dirty cop" "That fucking judge", that-that-that-that.

Busy blaming people, places and things

Busy blaming people, places and things

for my problems.

But I forgot somebody... I forgot me.

And when I turned the focus on me

and took responsibility for my life,

I couldn't find anybody else to blame.

It's the truth.

I'm proud of you

and I know, I know you can do this.

and I know, I know you can do this.

Honey, put the puzzle away it's time for dinner.

I mean everybody knows there's things going on

in the band office, but we all keep quiet about it.

What does it matter?

So it's okay this place stays a shit hole,

as long as we get to run away?

We're not running away.

Is that how you think of it?

Is that how you think of it?

Anyways, what can any of us do about it?

People point fingers at chief and council

But the band members themselves are the bigger problem.

They parade into the BAND office anytime,

demanding cheques for this and that.

And it's always right now, right away.

Just crisis management everyday.

Just crisis management everyday.

"the band office will cover it", that's the motto.

They want everything done for them, from womb to tomb.

That's when you see intimidation

Working both ways.

Guys go up to the chief and say,

"give me 20 bucks, I voted for you."

Chief doesn't want to be voted out

and the cheque books open.

and the cheque books open.

But that's just it, I haven't been receiving

the notices. I'm a band member

and I want to be informed when meetings

are called not just hear about it on tv.

You know that's the problem with all you off-Reserve c-31 buzzards.

You want the whole fucking world handed to you on a plate

but you don't want to give anything back.

but you don't want to give anything back.

I may live off reserve but I am still a part

of this community and you know it.

Hmm.

Or did you already forget your time at the treatment centre?

And his wife says, why would rubbing

toilet paper Between my breasts make them bigger?

And he says, worked for your ass didn't it?

Oh uh, harly came in this morning

looking for an advance on his contract.

He hasn't done bugger all yet.

He does have a big family.

There's at least 12 votes there.

Pay it.

Alright.

Come on, I won't tell.

It's that amenakew boy, isn't it?

No!!

No!!

oh I saw you hovering around him last time I was here.

Shit.

Natalie?

Honey, are you okay?

NATALIE!

Fuck...

Not hungry.

Natalie!

She's sniffing more now.

She's worse now then after mom died.

You don't think I don't know!

I'm not fucking blind okay!

It's my daughter!

You know, I even asked her.

I asked her, you want to go stay with your aunt in the city?

Huh, you know what she said to me?

Huh, you know what she said to me?

She laughed at me!

..and Mr. Baptiste's affidavit

was found to be consistent with the forensic evidence.

That having had too much to drink he fell asleep

with a lit cigarette. And the investigation

with a lit cigarette. And the investigation

further confirmed that flying Sparks Ignited

tar shingles on the roof of the nepoose house.

Unfortunately the water tanker truck

couldn't get started.

Because you gave the maintenance contract to your cousin

and he doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

Thank you councillor.

Good afternoon ladies and gentleman.

Thank you all for coming.

I'd just like to say that now that this investigation

I'd just like to say that now that this investigation

is over and done with it's my sincere hope

that we can move on from this terrible, terrible tragedy

and work together as a community

to do the things that we need to do to make this community

a better place to live in. Thank you.

Chief Fraser, I'm wondering about the audit.

Will it still proceed even without all the documentation?

And whatever happened to all that t.L.E. Money?

And whatever happened to all that t.L.E. Money?

I don't think it's appropriate

to get into that at this moment.

But if you have any more concerns

I suggest you stop by the office in the morning

and we can go through what we have with you.

Thank you but I'd rather wait

for the official audit, as I'm sure all of us would.

Hey Victor, who the hell are you

and when were you appointed "Okimakan"?

"Who is he?"

"Who is he?"

he's a member of this band and he's entitled to know

what's happening to our money.

So we all are.

He's one of the people our grandfathers signed treaty for.

He's one of those future generations

they had in their heart when they touched the pen.

You guys just don't get it, do you?

Leadership is about submission to duty

Leadership is about submission to duty

not elevation to power.

And "Oki-Mak-An"?

"Okimakan" Means uh... pretend chief.

Ah... not exactly a compliment then.

No, not exactly.

And t.L.E.?

t.L.E. That's "Treaty land entitlement".

an agreement between ottawa and the bands

to compensate them for land they didn't receive

to compensate them for land they didn't receive

during the time of treaties

and to accommodate the growing populations.

There's always been a certain degree of corruption

sometimes only penny-Ante stuff But everything changed big time

when the T.L.E. Monies came in. 14 million in our case.

A one-Time money to be used to buy land for future securities

But instead it's used for a free-for-All fund.

My apologies Ms. Amos I don't believe

I officially welcomed you last time you were here.

Thank you.

I'd like to keep in touch. Perhaps do some follow up?

I'd like to keep in touch. Perhaps do some follow up?

Oh by all means.

Come back anytime you like.

Come on, let's go for a ride.

I think I have to be somewhere though.

Won't be long.

People are afraid to take them on.

As soon as you start asking questions

the knives come out.

White people have the mafia...

we have the chief and council.

Where's Victor?

I don't know.

So... what do you want, vic?

A new house, is that it?

A new house, is that it?

How about world peace?

You know, a lot of my supporters don't like these questions you've been asking.

You're making me look bad, vic.

They'll take you to your truck.

You know it's a nice day, I think I'll walk.

You know it's a nice day, I think I'll walk.

Thanks.

Oh and vic, tell Gloria I say hi

and we're trying our damndest to

get her student loan pushed through.

Last year's audit.

Fraser's salary is listed as $45,000 dollars,

But additional entries for travel allowances,

per diems, meeting fees, council fees,

committee fees and honorariums spread across

multiple departments added another $72,170.00

and that's not all.

Contracts he awarded himself

Contracts he awarded himself

added another $106,065 dollars

giving him a grand total of $223,235 dollars for the year.

Woo.

see what's needed is to separate the politics

of the reserve from the administration.

Yeah, sure... his sister is welfare administrator,

a brother head of housing,

his mother-In-Law is a health worker.

His aunt works in finance.

Yeah that family is going to be sorry ass

Yeah that family is going to be sorry ass

when he loses this election.

No, thanks.

I gotta go.

Leona...

look I know what's going on here,

I'm sorry I am not that person.

Leona, wait!

I've been to the healing lodge;

I've seen you work with people,

helping change lives.

Natalie, it's Victor.

Victor.

Oh, yeah.

Hey Victor.

Mind if I walk with you?

Yeah.

Come on.

This community is sick.

This community is sick.

We do need someone like you, a healer.

Someone who's been elsewhere.

Done things with their life.

If not we're left with a bunch of guys

that have never been anywhere.

Never worked for anybody except for band jobs.

No skills, no education, nothing.

What about Victor? You all heard him tonight.

his wife's going back to college.

He's moving to the city.

Look, I'm sorry; I know what you want...

Look, I'm sorry; I know what you want...

I just, I don't think that I can do it.

Leona!!!

shit.

Okay...

see you around.

Bye.

Bye.

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry...

I know this looks bad But please just hear me out.

Um... on behalf of the council

I'd like to offer my condolences to Gail here

and the stoney family.

Natalie's death was a tragedy

to the whole community.

A tragedy that we've ah... we've probably seen

A tragedy that we've ah... we've probably seen

one time too many.

One that probably could have been avoided

if it weren't for the victimization

by an apathetic, indifferent administration in ottawa,

who might as well have been on the other side

of the world as far as we're concerned.

You see, this is why I fight so hard for self government.

Do you see? This is why we need to be the authors

of our own destiny--

of our own destiny--

You cut the recreation program.

You killed my baby...

and now she's in a cheap indian affairs Coffin

because you said there was no money.

Why Andy, you said that.

There's no money for a decent Coffin Andy.

There's no money for a decent Coffin Andy.

Why?

You god damn prick.

You come here and you campaign.

Who the fuck do you think you are?

Get out.

My baby...

My baby...

Leona!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Just leave it!

Leave it!

I want that prick to see it every time he drives by

in his fancy truck.

My baby...

Labucan, lorin, Leonard all on side.

Littlechild? Hmm.

He'll be okay... Put up his welfare anyway.

Ricky Baptiste.

Another five grand?

I heard he's suicidal.

Shit, I wish he'd do us a favor and get on with it.

Well he's not stupid, he knows about the rumors.

He's playing us as much as we're playing him.

Send it to him anyway.

Send it to him anyway.

And what started off that gas sniffing?

Uh... the gas sniffing?

Um... Well my grandfather's death.

Your grandfather died in June?

My grandmother died in June.

My grandfather died when I was 12.

turn it up.

Victor dropped This dvd off.

Turn it up!

Gail, don't you want to wait till you're sober?

...because I was hallucinating about them.

...because I was hallucinating about them.

I wanted to see them,

I wanted to see them some more and that was

the only way I could see them, by sniffing.

Mom's drinking...

she's drinking so I said why can't I drink too?

How do you feel about your future

in Blackstone?

My future?

What future?

Section 10.

Hmm, residency requirements.

Hmm, residency requirements.

Better then 2 parent or blood quantum?

We cast that net, we'll catch way more than one fish.

All we have to do is create doubt.

Post notice for a band meeting.

Question her entitlement, off-Reserve bill c-31.

This fucking drivel's got to be good for something.

I think I got em' all.

Norma, there's no sense in tearing them

Norma, there's no sense in tearing them

all down. They're just going to put them back up again.

Leona you can stay here, Natalie's room.

Look, I'm still not drinking if that's what you're thinking.

You've been on council,

you know how things work.

Run with me.

We need to get the band members off their asses

so they give a shit about what's going on.

And don't expect the membership to rally around change.

Where else can you sit at home in a band house

with free utilities, collect welfare

and watch Satellite tv all day?

As bad as things are,

there's also a real fear of losing all that.

there's also a real fear of losing all that.

Then help me make change.

Cheers.

Looks like Johnny and his wife are on board.

Where are we going next?

Victor!

Oh my god Victor!

I want to know what this is about now!

I talked to Leona.

What? What!

Are you going to run with her?

God Victor, you can't fuck around with them.

With the Fraser family!!

shit, shit, shit, shit!

All you talk about is accountability,

what about some fucking accountability to your own daughter!

what about some fucking accountability to your own daughter!

You finished?

I told her no, I said I'd help out that's all.

Oh you think that makes a difference!

Come on sweetie.

I told you after that band meeting.

One more chance, that's it!

The candidate has been staying

with her sister. She's been living and working

off reserve for years now

and she's bill c-31.

I'm telling you, if we can't control our own membership

and the requirements for those seeking office

we have no business even dreaming about self government.

I'm only going to say this...

and it's hard because it's something I never talk about.

Not too long ago in This hall Cecil delaronde

spoke about our ancestors who signed treaty.

My great Grandfather was one of them.

My great Grandfather was one of them.

That treaty pipe was entrusted to him,

he in turn handed it down to my grandfather,

he handed it down to my father

and after I quit partying and sobered up

my father entrusted it to me.

I've tried hard to honour that pipe,

to live in a good way, to give back to my community

and I've never needed the INDIAN act

OR inac or a band chief

OR inac or a band chief

to tell me who I am or where I belong.

I want to talk about what we're doing.

There's a bigger problem here than what's been

going on in the band office.

Our silence.

We don't need to sit and Wait for ottawa

to impose a governance act.

We don't have time to waste.

Our indigenous title is this close to being

taken away from us.

taken away from us.

We need to act now.

and they're at her mom's place

until she finds a place closer to the college.

It'll work out Victor.

Thanks for helping out with this.

Ready?

Yeah.

tansai, I'm Leona stoney,

this is Victor merasty we'd like to talk to you about--

You think I don't know who the fuck you are.

And I know what you want too. Fuck off.

All I want to know is are you going to fix

my fucking house? I keep asking them

and all they ever say is there's no money.

So what the fuck will you do?

The band will take care of any maintenance

and upkeep that it's responsible for.

and upkeep that it's responsible for.

But if your husband gets drunk and kicks in the door

I'm not going to fix it.

I survived cancer twice because of our culture,

the good things of our culture.

I will not stand by while it sinks in despair

and disgrace.

and disgrace.

That's why this is my chief.

congratulations to...

chief stoney.

Fucking eh' "Chief stoney"!!

I hope you're all happy

you dumb fucking indians.

Get the fuck out of my face you little prick!

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

Shit!!

fucking bitch, she changed the locks already.

Clever little minx, isn't she.

Oh Yeah.

Hey.

Holy shit, it's real.

It's not going to be easy and I'm going to need

It's not going to be easy and I'm going to need

a lot of help.

You're still on council, Rick.

Now I know she's got another regional meeting to go to next week

and I'm betting she'll take Norma because she knows the ropes

when it comes to that type of thing.

I'll tell you what...

start a rumor that she'll cut Off Welfare next month,

she'll have to name Victor as acting chief

while they're away.

So pass a bcr while they're gone and appoint yourself.

I can do that?

I can do that?

Rick, you're band council,

you can do what ever the fuck you want.

Just hold a meeting and uh... oust em.

And don't fuck it up this time!

I need a drink.

Yep, we're going to sink that bitch's battle ship,

you watch.