This is not a Ceremony
2022 | CANADA | Directed by Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin Van Loon) | Produced by ONF | NFB
21 min
Licensing
THIS IS NOT A CEREMONY is a cinematic VR and dome experience by Niitsitapi writer and director Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin Van Loon). It takes viewers beyond traditional media, immersing them in a realm where past, present, and future converge, and where colonial assumptions are cast aside. In this dream-like world, two Indigenous trickster poets, dressed in mirrored red suits, guide us through narratives that challenge our notions of personal responsibility while exploring the darker realities of Indigenous life in Canada. Matriarchs and Inii (buffalo) lead us with firm yet kind hands, confronting us with the harsh truths of systemic racism and colonial oppression. The experience ultimately asks, “Now that you know, what will you do about it?” THIS IS NOT A CEREMONY is a powerful, unforgettable journey that urges us to bear witness, learn from these stories, and never forget.
NEWS : WORLD PREMIERE AT RIDM! THIS IS NOT A CEREMONY AND TEXADA
Awards and festival
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | Sundance Film Festival, Canada (2022)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | Tribeca Film Festival, États-Unis (2022)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | Calgary International Film Festival, Canada (2022)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | Festival du Nouveau Cinema, Canada
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival, Canada
- OFFICIAL SELECTION | Vancouver Internation Film Festival, Canada
Credits
Written and Directed by
Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin Van Loon)
Produced by
the National Film Board of Canada
In partnership with
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Featuring
Adam North Peigan
Robert Sinclair
Poets
Taran Kootenhayoo
Tawahum Bige
Matriarch Guide
Lillian Howard
Director of Photography
Olivier Leroux
Editor
Jessica Dymond
Art Director
James Monkman
Music
Nagamo Publishing
Nigel Irwin
Sound Design & Mixing
Nagamo Publishing
Drew Snyder
Assistant Director
Rob Guthrie
Production Designer
Sean McQuillan
Location Scouts
Michelle Bond (BC)
Quentin Johnston (Alberta)
FEATURED CAST
Brian Sinclair – David Lyle
Nurse – Marlies Dubois
Orderly – Arvind Johal
Security Guard – Otto Szabo
Social Worker – Michele Wienecke
Young Adam – Alexander Eagletail
Background Performers
Jamie Crozier
Donna Kodama
Leanna Nash
Mustafa Yilmaz
Montana Oglesby
Blackfoot Voiceover and Translation
Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn
Portrait photography by
Alanna Blackrider - Onespot
Portrait Subjects
Adonis ManyChief
Zane Severite-ManyChief
Adonis Zaharjko
Billy Twigg
Leonard Little Mustache Jr.
Dakota Big Tobacco
Draytin Morden
Justin Meguire
Donald Saddleback
Everett Wolftail
Jonathan Brewer
Brody Bad Eagle
Nathan Avery
Herb Wilson
Kobe Alexander James Morning Bull
Dwayne Delaney
Brayson Breaker
Liam Breaker
Keeran Yellow Horn
Jayden Doore
Earnest Poundmaker
Montana Tyrell Redcalf
Danzel Ear
George Goodstriker
Daniel Pard
Tristen Beebe
Bobby Currie
Joseph Rex Across the Mountain
George Van Loon
James Across the Mountain
Gaffer
Cameron Watts
Grip
Torin Greyeyes-Starblanket
Sound Recordists
Tyler Lucas (BC)
Zack May (Alberta)
Wardrobe
Carmen Thompson
Wardrobe Assistants
Karuna Breeze Dampsy
Emmy Routledge
Hair and Makeup
Keesha Dawson-Harrison (BC)
Min Jee Mowat (BC)
Chenise Soosay (Alberta)
Set Photography
Soloman Chiniquay (BC)
Alanna Blackrider-Onespot (Alberta)
Data Wranglers
Odessa Shuquaya (BC)
Adam Solway (Alberta)
Property Buyer
Heather McQuillan
Community Liaison
Tawnya Plain Eagle
Production Assistants
Dustin McGladrey (BC)
Richard Wilson (BC)
Charlene Parsons (BC)
Kahka-Naikitstakii Crop Eared Wolf (Alberta)
Assistant Editor
Michael Morin
3D Animator
Brian Vowles
Kodai Yanagawa
French Translation
Gabrielle Lisa Collard
Craft Services
Salishan Catering
NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA - TEAM
Producer
Dana Dansereau
Executive Producer
Robert McLaughlin
Project Manager
Laura Mitchell
Senior Production Coordinator
Jasmine Pullukat
Creative Technologist
Vincent McCurley
Studio Operations Managers
Camille Fillion
Janine Steele
Studio Administrators
Victoria Angell
Carla Jones
Marketing Manager
Tammy Peddle
Marketing Coordinator
Eric Bondo
Social Media Strategist
Hannah Martin
Education Marketing Strategist
Anne Koizumi
Publicist
Jennifer Mair
Katja De Bock
Legal Counsel
Christian Pitchen
IMAGINENATIVE FILM + MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL TEAM
Executive Director
Naomi Johnson
Executive Director
Jason Ryle
Institute Director
Daniel Northway-Frank
SPECIAL THANKS
Reba Rose DeGuevara
Edit Van Loon
Van Loon Family
Jimmy and Joanne Small Legs & Small Legs Family
Philip & Joanne Wolfchild
Jonathan Brewer, Kathy Brewer and Brewer Family
Harry Nose Clan
North Peigan Family
PIIKANI NATION CHIEF AND COUNCIL
Chief Stanley Grier
Councillor Erwin Bastien
Councillor Wesley Crow Shoe
Councillor Che Little Leaf-Matusiak
Councillor Riel Provost-Houle
Councillor Doane Crow Shoe
Councillor Brian Jackson
Councillor Troy (Bossman) Knowlton
Councillor Theodore (Terry) Provost
Percy Bullchild & Bullchild family
Thank you Percy for all of the wonderful words and the stories you wrote down for all of us niitsitapi. Your book is a constant source of inspiration, guidance and wisdom.
Indigenious Matriarch 4 VR/VR (IM4-LAB)
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Vancouver Film School
BC Housing
Blackfoot Nation Films
Joan Ralph
Jeff Bullock
Calvin Sosick
Southern Alberta Vintage & Classic Car Club
Provost family
Margo Kane
Loretta Todd
Doreen Manuel
Cease Wyss
Tracey Kim Bonneau
Alannah Mandamin
Cheyanna J. V. Kootenhayoo (djKookum)
Kootenhayoo Family
Trevor Solway
George Van Loon
North Van Loon
Oveta, Dan & Roy Kennedy
Leanne Rooney
Robyn Weasel Bear
Jay Cardinal Villeneuve
Ken Tsui
Lizzy Karp
Tug Phipps
Shirley Vercruysse
THIS IS NOT A CEREMONY WAS CREATED
in Alberta on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Piikani (Brocket) Siksika, Kainai (Bloods), and Amskapi Piikani (Montana / Browning), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta;
in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations;
in Coquitlam on the core territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) (Kwee-kwet-lem) First Nation and lies within the shared traditional territories of the Tsleil-Waututh (Slay-wa-tuth), Katzie (Kate-zee), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Quay Quayt (Key-Kite) First Nation and Sto:lo Nation
