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<p style="text-align: center;"><em>“We, as Indigenous people, as the first peoples of this land, have so many gifts and so many stories inside of us…and it’s very important for us to share those stories so that the rest of non-Indigenous Canada can see us as human beings.”</em></p>\n ◀<p style="text-align: center;"><em>“We, as Indigenous people, as the first peoples of this land, have so many gifts and so many stories inside of us…and it’s ve ▶
<p style="text-align: center;"><em> </em>- Cheri Maracle, Mohawk actor, singer, songwriter</p>\n
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To mark Canada’s <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Day for Truth and Reconciliation</a>, Toronto Film School helped celebrate the success of Mi’kmaw filmmaker <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5532058/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tim Myles</a> by sharing his story during a special screening of his semi-autobiographical short film, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15246156/?ref_=nm_knf_t1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Little Bird</em></a>.\n ◀To mark Canada’s <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" ▶
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<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a7eWUufN7SY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>\n ◀<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a7eWUufN7SY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" all ▶
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The 2016 <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/programs/acting-for-film-tv-and-the-theatre-diploma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre</a> alumnus not only wrote and directed, but also stars in the “powerful” 15-minute short, which tells the story of a young Indigenous man who finds strength in family while struggling with the loss of his mother.\n ◀The 2016 <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/programs/acting-for-film-tv-and-the-theatre-diploma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Acting for Fi ▶
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“This film by Tim Myles is such a gift and we’re so proud in the Toronto Film School community to know that one of our alumni made something so special,” Toronto Film School’s <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/andrew-barnsley-celebrates-schitts-creeks-historic-night-at-emmys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emmy-winning</a> President <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/toronto-film-school-poised-for-global-greatness-with-andrew-barnsley-at-the-helm-as-newly-named-president/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrew Barnsley</a> said of <em>Little Bird</em>, which recently made its world premiere at the <a href="https://2021.tiffr.com/shows/little-bird" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2021 Toronto International Film Festival</a>.\n ◀“This film by Tim Myles is such a gift and we’re so proud in the Toronto Film School community to know that one of our alumni made something so special,” Toront ▶
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“To be able to celebrate the success of the film with him on this Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is hugely emotional and hugely powerful. This was a very special film and very special event.”\n ◀“To be able to celebrate the success of the film with him on this Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is hugely emotional and hugely powerful. This was a ▶
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[caption id="attachment_23801" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23801 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdScreeningRedCarpet_0930.jpg" alt="The cast of Little Bird on the red carpet with Andrew Barnsley and Julia Christensen Hughes " width="670" height="458" /> (L-R) Toronto Film School President Andrew Barnsley; actor, singer and songwriter Cheri Maracle; Little Bird writer, director and star Tim Myles; actor and storyteller Lisa Nadon; Yorkville University President Julia Christensen Hughes.[/caption]\n ◀[caption id="attachment_23801" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23801 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads ▶
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That sentiment was echoed by Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, president of Toronto Film School’s affiliate, <a href="https://www.yorkvilleu.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yorkville University</a>, who characterized the <em>Little Bird</em> screening as “an opportunity to reflect on the power of film, and also of higher education, to be a positive force for change in society.”\n ◀That sentiment was echoed by Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, president of Toronto Film School’s affiliate, <a href="https://www.yorkvilleu.ca/" target="_blank" re ▶
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“Recently, it was my privilege to declare today a day off for our (TFS and Yorkville) faculty and staff across Canada, providing an opportunity to all of us to learn and reflect on our profound, and indeed our moral obligation to become actively engaged in the spirit of truth-seeking and reconciliation…” Christensen Hughes said during the event’s opening remarks.\n ◀“Recently, it was my privilege to declare today a day off for our (TFS and Yorkville) faculty and staff across Canada, providing an opportunity to all of us to ▶
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<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23726 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/09/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdPoster_TimMyles_0921.jpg" alt="Little Bird TIFF movie poster " width="411" height="526" />\n ◀<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23726 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/09/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdPoster_TimMyles_0921.jpg ▶
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“Consistent with calls for action resulting from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is far past time for academics…to critically confront the academy’s history, examine our shortcomings, and catalyze needed change.”\n ◀“Consistent with calls for action resulting from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is far past time for academics…to critically confront the acad ▶
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To those ends, Christensen Hughes went on to highlight the recent initiatives Toronto Film School and Yorkville University have undertaken to achieve some of those goals, including:\n ◀To those ends, Christensen Hughes went on to highlight the recent initiatives Toronto Film School and Yorkville University have undertaken to achieve some of th ▶
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\t<li>The organization of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74yyjYDvmA&list=PLbA9cZlST9Os22YTvN846NKv1z6c_MYCA&index=4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">special webinars</a> exploring how settlers can be better allies</li>\n ◀ \t<li>The organization of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74yyjYDvmA&list=PLbA9cZlST9Os22YTvN846NKv1z6c_MYCA&index=4" target="_blank" rel="no ▶
\t<li>The hiring of a <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/indigenous-partnership-engagement-manager-aims-to-amplify-voices-of-first-nation-students/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new Manager of Indigenous and Partnership Engagement</a></li>\n ◀ \t<li>The hiring of a <a href="https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/indigenous-partnership-engagement-manager-aims-to-amplify-voices-of-first-nation-students/ ▶
\t<li>The upcoming establishment of an advisory council for Indigenous students</li>\n
\t<li>The exploration of TFS and YU curriculum to identify skills and knowledge that all graduates will need to participate meaningfully in finding truth and supporting reconciliation</li>\n ◀ \t<li>The exploration of TFS and YU curriculum to identify skills and knowledge that all graduates will need to participate meaningfully in finding truth and s ▶
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“And, last but not least, today we are witnessing firsthand the power of film as an agent of social change,” she said, introducing <em>Little Bird</em> to the 70 students, staff, faculty and alumni who gathered at Toronto’s <a href="https://www.theroyal.to/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal Cinema</a> for the Sept. 30 live screening event.\n ◀“And, last but not least, today we are witnessing firsthand the power of film as an agent of social change,” she said, introducing <em>Little Bird</em> to the 7 ▶
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<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23805 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdScreeningInterior_0930.jpg" alt="People seated in theatre at Toronto's Royal Cinema" width="670" height="458" />\n ◀<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23805 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdScreeningInterior_0930.j ▶
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Written during the COVID-19 pandemic and filmed this past June on the <a href="https://www.saugeenshores.ca/en/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Saugeen Shores</a>, <em>Little Bird</em> is described as a “deeply moving, yet often humorous tribute” to Myles’ mother, Joelle, who died in 2013 death of polycystic kidney disease.\n ◀Written during the COVID-19 pandemic and filmed this past June on the <a href="https://www.saugeenshores.ca/en/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener norefer ▶
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“This film is a love letter to my mom and to my Mi’kmaw heritage. There was a long time when I was very nervous for people to see it because it represents a very big piece of me – a big chunk of my life and what I’ve gone through in the last eight years,” Myles said.\n ◀“This film is a love letter to my mom and to my Mi’kmaw heritage. There was a long time when I was very nervous for people to see it because it represents a ver ▶
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[caption id="attachment_23728" align="aligncenter" width="462"]<img class="wp-image-23728 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/09/TFS_ACT_TimMylesMom2_0921.jpg" alt="Little Bird inspired by Tim Myles' late mother, Joelle" width="462" height="526" /> Tim Myles' late mother, Joelle[/caption]\n ◀[caption id="attachment_23728" align="aligncenter" width="462"]<img class="wp-image-23728 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads ▶
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“It’s honestly for anyone who’s ever lost anyone – a parent, a sibling, or a loved one. Do not bear the weight of grief alone: that’s what this film is about, and that’s what I hope audiences take away from it.”\n ◀“It’s honestly for anyone who’s ever lost anyone – a parent, a sibling, or a loved one. Do not bear the weight of grief alone: that’s what this film is about, a ▶
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The film earned rave reviews from Myles’ former teacher, Hart Massey, the director of TFS’s Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre program, who described the experience of watching Myles on the big screen “like seeing one of my children reach their potential.”\n ◀The film earned rave reviews from Myles’ former teacher, Hart Massey, the director of TFS’s Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre program, who described the exp ▶
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“Tim was always such a talented actor and talented performer, so to see him extend that in this performance about a topic that is extremely meaningful really impacted me in a deep way,” he said.\n ◀“Tim was always such a talented actor and talented performer, so to see him extend that in this performance about a topic that is extremely meaningful really im ▶
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“I lost my own father recently, so this film just spoke to me personally about grieving with other people – that’s the only way we can get through.”\n
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<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23802 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdScreeningCast_0930.jpg" alt="The cast of Little Bird: Cheri Maracle, Tim Myles and Lisa Nadon. " width="360" height="526" />\n ◀<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23802 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdScreeningCast_0930.jpg" ▶
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Following the exclusive screening, Barnsley moderated an on-stage panel discussion with Myles and two of <em>Little Bird </em>cast members – “highly respected” Mohawk actor, singer and songwriter <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544752/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cheri Maracle</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264226/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_15" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Blackfly</em></a><em>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401035/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_14" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moccasin Flats</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1463395/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blackstone</a>,</em> <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11761252/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Unsettled</em></a>), and fellow Mi’kmaw actor and longtime friend, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12854233/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t3">Lisa Nasson</a>, who were both on hand at the event.\n ◀Following the exclusive screening, Barnsley moderated an on-stage panel discussion with Myles and two of <em>Little Bird </em>cast members – “highly respected” ▶
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All three touched on the responsibility they feel, as Indigenous professionals in the creative arts, for the work they do to reflect positively on their respective communities.\n ◀All three touched on the responsibility they feel, as Indigenous professionals in the creative arts, for the work they do to reflect positively on their respect ▶
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[caption id="attachment_23804" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23804 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdPanel1_0930.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="458" /> Little Bird cast Cheri Maracle, Tim Myles and Lisa Nadon on stage.[/caption]\n ◀[caption id="attachment_23804" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23804 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads ▶
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“A good friend of mine once said a long time ago, ‘To be Indigenous is to fight,’ and I think what that really means is that to be treated with respect, to be treated as a human being in Canada as an Indigenous person, is something we are still striving for in 2021,” said Maracle, who hails from the <a href="https://www.sixnations.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.</a>\n ◀“A good friend of mine once said a long time ago, ‘To be Indigenous is to fight,’ and I think what that really means is that to be treated with respect, to be t ▶
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“So, every story we do, every story that comes out of our bodies – from our history, from our ancestors – is very important both to ourselves for healing, but also to express who we are, our traditions, our culture.”\n ◀“So, every story we do, every story that comes out of our bodies – from our history, from our ancestors – is very important both to ourselves for healing, but a ▶
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[caption id="attachment_23803" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23803 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdPanel2_0930.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="458" /> Actor Lisa Nasson and Andrew Barnsley[/caption]\n ◀[caption id="attachment_23803" align="aligncenter" width="670"]<img class="wp-image-23803 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads ▶
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“Everything I do, personally, reflects on my community, where I came from and who I grew up around,” added Nasson, a Mi’kmaw actor from <a href="https://www.millbrookband.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Millbrook First Nation</a> in Nova Scotia.\n ◀“Everything I do, personally, reflects on my community, where I came from and who I grew up around,” added Nasson, a Mi’kmaw actor from <a href="https://www.mil ▶
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“Everything I’ve learned was from there – that’s where I learned to love the land and love everything around me and learn from her. She taught me what creation was and what creativity was. Now, having the opportunity to be able to be a voice, it’s a responsibility I take on inside of me…I want to make my community proud.”\n ◀“Everything I’ve learned was from there – that’s where I learned to love the land and love everything around me and learn from her. She taught me what creation ▶
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<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23811 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdTheatre_0930.jpg" alt="Little Bird marquee at the Royal Cinema in Toronto" width="670" height="458" />\n ◀<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23811 size-medium" src="https://dev.tfs.staging.poundandgrain.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TFS_ACT_LittleBirdTheatre_0930.jpg" alt="L ▶
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For Myles, who admits to struggling with his Indigenous identity at times, the presence of both his maternal aunt and some of the elders from the nearby <a href="https://saugeenfirstnation.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Saugeen First Nation</a> on the <em>Little Bird</em> set helped make the experience all the more authentic and healing.\n ◀For Myles, who admits to struggling with his Indigenous identity at times, the presence of both his maternal aunt and some of the elders from the nearby <a href ▶
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“My mom was a proud Mi’kmaw woman, but my father’s side is not Indigenous, so I sometimes didn’t know where I fit in. With <em>Little Bird</em>, I felt it very important to honour my heritage, to honour my mother. She never wanted me to forget who I was or where I came from,” he said.\n ◀“My mom was a proud Mi’kmaw woman, but my father’s side is not Indigenous, so I sometimes didn’t know where I fit in. With <em>Little Bird</em>, I felt it very ▶
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“I want to help elevate Indigenous stories because we are the original storytellers with lots of stories to tell. I’m still learning a lot from my community and my elders and my family, but that’s a responsibility I take really seriously.”\n ◀“I want to help elevate Indigenous stories because we are the original storytellers with lots of stories to tell. I’m still learning a lot from my community and ▶
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