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Summary
A group of youth on the Stoney Nakoda Nation are about to start producing their second scripted short film to raise awareness about the increasing opioid-related crisis impacting their Nation.
Auditions for the film take place throughout March.
The project is being funded through a grant from the Canadian Crime Prevention program.
The first film, A New Warrior for Hope, premiered in January 2015. It starred youth actor Gage Beaver as protective big brother to ‘Hope,’ struggling with drugs and bullying.
Stoney Nakoda Elder Sykes Powderface tries to guide the young man from a lifetime of wrong decisions.
That film was the brainchild of Cathy Arcega, former manager for the youth engagement strategy, and Edmonton filmmaker Jason Gondziola. It was funded through Alberta Health Services.
The second video is described as “almost a part two” and is once more loosely based on a Nation incident where an Elder lost her grandson and daughter in accidental overdoses within the span of a week.
The recent drug activity on the First Nation has sparked community meetings inviting officials to speak and brainstorm ideas to help save lives.