Riel Country

Second Stories follows on the heels of the enormously successful First Stories project, which produced three separate collections of short films from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. First Stories films have gone on to win many awards, both collectively and individually, in national and international festivals and competitions. Second Stories builds on that success by providing a continuum of training for three of the twelve Indigenous filmmakers who delivered such compelling documentary shorts. Through this unique mentoring and training process, Second Stories filmmakers have a chance to hone their storytelling craft (in a professional production experience), while working with a strong creative team to assist in the realization of their half-hour documentaries. Each of the filmmakers selected were assigned a story consultant/story editor and an NFB producer. As was the case with First Stories, the emphasis is on enabling Indigenous filmmakers to tell the stories that are important to them and their communities. The partners in this special initiative are CBC, APTN, SCN, SaskFilm and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND. Deb-we-win Ge-kend-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle Filmmaker Lorne Olson had a vision of two-spirited people dancing, smiling, laughing; they were moving without shame, at peace with themselves and their place in the world. Two-spirited people are comprised of a male and female spirit. Historically, they were venerated for their gifts, but such respect isn't necessarily the case today. Lorne's vision sparks him to rediscover the strength of the past to better face the challenges of today. This funny and buoyant film documents his touching journey.

If you had to summarize Randy Baleski's philosophy, you could probably do it in three words: "Boxing saves kids." A Winnipeg high school teacher and former boxer, Baleski has a unique approach to helping students at risk of not graduating: get them in the ring. Fight profiles two of these young men: Rene Catcheway and Melvin Delorme. Both are Indigenous teens with troubled backgrounds. Melvin remembers his mother drinking and bringing home "random guys"-including one who tried to choke him. Rene lives on his own and is failing most of his courses. Enter the world of boxing. As Melvin and Rene push themselves through one gruelling workout after another (push-ups, skipping, sparring), they slowly come to understand that boxing is more a way of life than a sport. You don't box. You become a boxer-someone whose life is governed by discipline and respect. But boxing alone may not be enough to overcome a lifetime of figurative hard knocks. Melvin is committed to graduating and completing post-secondary studies. Rene is feeling more and more disillusioned with school. With Baleski in their corner, can they make it?

Beating the Streets traces six years in the lives of Marilyn Brighteyes and Lance Marty, two inner-city Aboriginal teenagers struggling to turn their lives around. And it is the story of Joe Cloutier, the teacher -- and former dropout -- determined to help them. In Beating the Streets, Marilyn and Lance candidly discuss the abuse and violence that drove them into prostitution and drug dealing. The video also introduces Joe's innovative approach, combining alternative education and popular theatre as a way to get young people off the streets. The film begins in 1986, when Joe creates the Inner City Drama Association (ICDA) for teens like Marilyn and Lance. They participate in theatre workshops led by actors like Tantoo Cardinal Dances with Wolves and their plays explore important issues like substance abuse, family violence, suicide and racism. Performances lead to discussions with the audience in an effort to seek healthy solutions. Then, in 1993, Lance encourages Joe to take on the immense challenge of opening an alternative school -- Inner City High -- for teens at risk. And we witness a remarkable transformation in Lance and Marilyn as they become leaders at the school.