Erik O'Neill, Amy Smoke & Bangishimo Johnston | Canada | 2021
26 min
SPOTLIGHT EVENT

On Indigenous peoples’ day a large tepee was erected in a busy, urban park close to O:se Kenhionhata:e (Willow River, presently called the Grand River) with the intenon to assert an Indigenous presence just for the day. Over 100 days later, the tepee remained standing, with the space around it transformed into a camp of queer, Two Spirit, trans, and/or non-binary youth learning and praccing their Indigenous cultural heritages and demanding Land Back.

DIRECTOR BIO

Erik O'Neill

Erik is a filmmaker and Director of Photography from Kitchener, Ontario. He is a settler of Irish and German descent on the haldimand tract. While primarily a commercial Director of Photography, Erik loves to work on documentary films and series. Most recently working on CBC's "Cottagers and Indians" as well as APTN's "Going Native." Stories from Land Back Camp is Erik's documentary directorial debut.

Amy Smoke

Amy is Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River. They are a Two Spirit, Indigiqueer parent, community organizer, drummer and one of the co-founders of O:se Kenhionhata:tie also known as Land Back Camp KW.

Bangishimo Johnston

Bangishimo is an IndigiQueer Anishinaabe originally from Couchiching located on Treaty #3 territory. They are a photographer, community organizer, and co-founder of O:se Kenhionhata:tie also known as Land Back Camp.