“You are descended from the ones who survived.” -Cordelia Kellie
Cordelia and Meg are Indigenous women separated by distance, age, and experience, yet are connected by a resilience and perseverance that transcends their differences. In a country that has historically worked to erase Indigenous culture, these women each work to define their identities for themselves. Meg is 18, and is working through the uncertainty that comes with relearning her Mohawk heritage later in life. Cordelia is 31 years into her journey of relearning and is transitioning to become a teacher of her Iñupiaq heritage herself. This film urges you to look within at your own journey with culture, to believe others when they tell you their story, and to question what has been taught to you.
The Director
Corbin is a senior at Villanova from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She is a Communication major specializing in Media Production. She is extremely passionate about her craft and is determined to establish herself in the world of film and media upon graduation. She hopes to take her experiences from last year’s doc class and apply it to this year. She is motivated to create a piece of art that not only tells a compelling story, but also encourages her audience to reflect on the social injustices that the piece calls attention to.
Jamie is a senior from Freehold, NJ, double-majoring in English and Communications and specializing in Media Production. She took this class because of her passion for storytelling and human connection. Jamie is hoping to not only immerse herself in the realities that other people struggle through, but to understand those struggles to the best of her ability to produce a compassionate audience and eye-opening documentary, refusing to shy away from the topics we as human beings steer clear of otherwise. |
Director Statement
To admit to oneself the origins of deep-seated insecurities is alone a rarity. To divulge such inner battles to an unknown public, and speak on the complex histories that gave birth to these wounds and triumphs, takes on an unheard of vulnerability. This form of strength can often be overlooked by an audience.
As viewers, we are accustomed to tuning into others’ lives through various visual mediums and platforms. We now find it normal to see someone online illustrating pieces of their world that would otherwise be deemed private territory. But there is a performance that comes with these portrayals of a life painted online. Not everything we see is actual transparency, but mere smoke and mirrors rehearsed for the correct reactions. To speak only from the script of one’s heart is magnetizing, and something we had not had the privilege of being consumed by until both Cordelia and Meg’s words pulled at something inside of us.
Their expressions when confiding in the camera, laughter when interviewing family members, and depth when speaking of their particular tribes and more broad Indigenous histories were all filled with an infectious rawness. Not many, ourselves included, could be so genuine and exude such openness when speaking on difficult topics. Voices like Coredlia’s and Meg’s are ones that need to be given all the attention possible, for these stories are not the untold, but rather the unheard.
We are honored to have been given the opportunity to learn about Indigenous peoples’ pasts and their undeniable presence in the present day straight from the mouths of those who should be at the forefront of the discussion. The intention we had all along with this film was not to merely paraphrase our newfound knowledge, valuable and insightful words we would highlight with our platform, but place the camera directly in front of the storytellers themselves. This film is not another retelling by a majority of white people about our cruel and shameful history, but instead a story about the ways two passionate Indigenous women speak about how they persevere. About how they are still here, regardless of the obstacles that continue to work against them and their communities.
Thank you, Meg and Cordelia, for sharing your lives with us, and for inspiring so many as trailblazers in your own communities in the fight for everlasting change.
The histories and experiences of indigenous individuals and communities are real and worthy of your time and attention. As we move forward and events of injustice against indigenous people continue to come to light, we urge you to watch, listen, believe, and ACT.
As viewers, we are accustomed to tuning into others’ lives through various visual mediums and platforms. We now find it normal to see someone online illustrating pieces of their world that would otherwise be deemed private territory. But there is a performance that comes with these portrayals of a life painted online. Not everything we see is actual transparency, but mere smoke and mirrors rehearsed for the correct reactions. To speak only from the script of one’s heart is magnetizing, and something we had not had the privilege of being consumed by until both Cordelia and Meg’s words pulled at something inside of us.
Their expressions when confiding in the camera, laughter when interviewing family members, and depth when speaking of their particular tribes and more broad Indigenous histories were all filled with an infectious rawness. Not many, ourselves included, could be so genuine and exude such openness when speaking on difficult topics. Voices like Coredlia’s and Meg’s are ones that need to be given all the attention possible, for these stories are not the untold, but rather the unheard.
We are honored to have been given the opportunity to learn about Indigenous peoples’ pasts and their undeniable presence in the present day straight from the mouths of those who should be at the forefront of the discussion. The intention we had all along with this film was not to merely paraphrase our newfound knowledge, valuable and insightful words we would highlight with our platform, but place the camera directly in front of the storytellers themselves. This film is not another retelling by a majority of white people about our cruel and shameful history, but instead a story about the ways two passionate Indigenous women speak about how they persevere. About how they are still here, regardless of the obstacles that continue to work against them and their communities.
Thank you, Meg and Cordelia, for sharing your lives with us, and for inspiring so many as trailblazers in your own communities in the fight for everlasting change.
The histories and experiences of indigenous individuals and communities are real and worthy of your time and attention. As we move forward and events of injustice against indigenous people continue to come to light, we urge you to watch, listen, believe, and ACT.