Crazywater

This feature-length documentary from Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen is an emotional and revealing exploration of substance use disorder and recovery among Indigenous people in Canada.

After years of struggle and shame, five Indigenous Canadians bravely come forward with their stories of substance use disorder, presenting the sensitive topic of alcoholism in an honest and forthright manner. In Vancouver, Alex, from the Nisga’a Nation, talks about the abuse and violence that drove him to take his first drink. Paula, a Woodland Cree woman, started shooting up at age 11; soon, the only way to support her habit was as a sex worker. As a five-year-old girl, Desirae was put into foster care; now as an adult with her own kids, she struggles to break the generational cycle of addiction.

Alex, Paula, Desirae, Stephen, and the filmmaker Dennis himself maintain a deep and devoted commitment to their traditional culture to achieve long-term sobriety. Through their voices, this insightful doc offers an inspirational beacon of hope for others.

Free admission! The film is presented as part of "Recovery in Community," a three-part film series sponsored by Student Disability Services and Cornell Health’s Skorton Center for Health Initiatives.

Part of our "Recovery in Community" film series. Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada.