Ely Film Festival and Native Youth Hockey

Transcript

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Marie Rock [ANCHOR]:  You're listening to Minnesota Native News. I'm Marie Rock. This week, how the annual Ely Film Festival showcases independent films and indigenous storytelling, and two young indigenous athletes to watch on the ice. First, producer Chaz Wagner tells us how the Ely Film Festival is drawing filmmakers and movie lovers from across the region to northeastern Minnesota.

Chaz Wagner: A winter tradition in northern Minnesota is bringing independent film and indigenous storytelling to the area. The annual Ely Film Festival returns this week to the Ely Historic State Theater, drawing filmmakers and movie lovers from across the region. The festival is now into its fourth year, celebrating a broad range of cinema, from feature-length films to shorts, documentaries, and experimental projects.

Ryan Bajan: We have over a third of our films coming from indigenous filmmakers. Thursday, March 12th, is our indigenous youth film day. We'll be screening a special block called the Bajamowin Shorts, where we'll have over 100 students watch various short films.

Chaz Wagner: Ryan Bajamowin Shorts, director of the Ely Film Festival. Organizers say the event is about more than screenings. Passholders will have chances to engage directly with the creators through Q&A sessions, filmmaker meet-and-greets, and conversations that explore the artistic process and cultural themes behind the work.

Ryan Bajan: It seems kind of wild to come and sit for an entire day and watch a bunch of different films. But the learning that takes place is rapid. We are exposed to so much more than we would get from just our normal TVs and whatever we think we can watch online and stuff. Get to meet people from all walks of life, from all different communities, and everyone's there to embrace that creative spirit.

Chaz Wagner: Organizers say the event has steadily gained momentum over the years.

Ryan Bajan: We've already sold out seven different showings. It's likely we'll sell out 85% of our showings going into the festival.

Chaz Wagner: For Minnesota Native News, I'm Chaz Wagner.

Marie Rock [ANCHOR]: Next, for many young students, sports are a vital part of school life. Producer Dan Ninham talks with two youth athletes about balancing school, hockey, and Indigenous representation.

Dan Ninham: At the north-central tip of Minnesota is the border community of Warroad, a powerhouse of boys and girls hockey. The Warroad High School girls team recently placed second in their Class A state tournament, and the boys just won their section tournament. Indigenous players from Warroad have excelled, with many going on to play college. One of those is Damon Gardner.

Daimon Gardner: I'm from Eagle Lake, Ontario. I play Division I men's hockey at St. Cloud State University.

Dan Ninham: Daimon Gardner is a 6'4", left shot forward, who played for the United States Hockey League Tri-City Storm.

Daimon Gardner: up getting drafted by Vancouver, and then went to their development camp that summer. It's kind of nice, like, going the NCAA route, having, like, more time to develop into, like, a mature player.

Dan Ninham: The Gardner family are a hockey family. Their grandfather, Cal Gardner, was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Daimon Gardner: You know, they kind of provided all the support, you know, whether with training or, you know, they kind of got my dad and my uncle into hockey as well, too. So, it's kind of where that passion came from as well.

Dan Ninham: For high school senior, Thomas Grappentine's family, Warroad's reputation as a hockey mecca was reason enough to move to the famed sports city.

Thomas Grapentine: I play Warroad Boys Varsity Hockey and Warroad Boys Varsity Golf. I am originally from the Hall of Water First Nation out of northern Manitoba.

Dan Ninham: For Warroad residents and hockey fans alike, March is a pivotal time of year.

Thomas Grapentine: This time of year, usually anywhere we play, almost the whole town comes and supports. As myself, I just have to focus on doing my role on the team and keeping other people in line to do in their role.

Dan Ninham: For Thomas, this kind of fandom instills within him a sense of responsibility.

Thomas Grapentine: Always watching what you're doing because someone else is always watching you and wondering what you guys are doing because we are a big centerpiece of Warroad's community.

Dan Ninham: For Minnesota Native News, I'm Dan Ninham.

Marie Rock: That's all for this week's episode. Join us next time for more voices and stories that inform, uplift and shape our communities right here on Minnesota Native News.

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Marie Rock: Minnesota Native News is produced by AMPERS: Diverse Radio for Minnesota's Communities. Made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.