The Pass System

From the Northwest Resistance of 1885 and for over 60 years, the Canadian Government denied many Indigenous peoples of the prairies the basic freedom to leave their reserves, all the while knowing there was no basis in law for the policy. This investigative documentary features Cree,Saulteaux, Dene, Ojibwe and Blackfoot Elders and their stories of living under and resisting the system, revealing a little-known picture of life under segregation. In Canada.

“This powerful film draws from Elders’ memories and historical artifacts in order to detail the history of the pass system - yet another example of the regulation and control of Indigenous people through colonial policies created by the Canadian state.” - Idle No More

Q&A to follow with Director Alex Williams

This event was made possible with support from the Office of Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Daniel R. Woolf, Queen’s University and the Elizabeth MacKenzie Shemilt Fund for Indigenous Studies