The People of the Kattawapiskak River

Alanis Obomsawin’s The People of the Kattawapiskak River documents the 2012 crisis in the Attawapiskat First Nation, where impoverished living conditions sparked national attention. The film gives voice to the community, exposing a history of dispossession, systemic neglect, and official indifference. Winner of the 2013 Donald Brittain Award, it forms part of Obomsawin’s broader exploration of children’s welfare and rights, offering a poignant, intimate, and powerful portrayal of resilience and the ongoing struggle for justice in First Nations communities.