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Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy

Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
2021 | 124 min 50 s
Original version in English and Blackfoot with English subtitles

Awards and Festivals

  • Official Selection RIDM (Montreal International Documentary Festival), Canada (2021)

  • Official Selection imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Toronto, Canada, (2021)

  • Rogers Audience Award for Canadian Feature DocumentaryHot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Toronto, Canada (2021)

  • Official Selection DOK.fest München, Germany (2021)

  • Colin Low Award for Best Canadian DirectorDOXA Documentary Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada (2021)

  • Audience Choice Award- Canadian Documentary FeatureCIFF Calgary International Film Festival, Calgary, Canada 2021

  • Official Selection St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, NL, Canada (2021)

  • Nomination - Best Documentary FeatureAmerican Indian Film Festival, San-Francisco, USA, 2021

  • Official Selection - Films from the NorthTromsø International Film Festival, Norway, 2022

  • Official SelectionBig Sky Documentary Film Festival, Missoula, Montana, USA (2022)

  • Winner - Ted Rogers Best Feature Length DocumentaryCanadian Screen Awards, Toronto, Canada (2022)

  • Nomination - Best Cinematography in a Feature Length DocumentaryCanadian Screen Awards, Toronto, Canada (2022)

  • Nomination - Best Editing in a Feature Length DocumentaryCanadian Screen Awards, Toronto, Canada (2022)

Trailer


Key Art


Short Synopses


Long synopsis


Filmmaker's Statement, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers

Excerpt 1: Kímmapiiyipitssini


Excerpt 2: Roxi White Quills


Excerpt 3: Naloxone Training


Excerpt 4: The Facility


Key Stills

Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

A buffalo and calf on Kainai land.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Landscape on Kainai land.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Illicit drugs have forced the Blackfoot community to approach addiction in radically different ways.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Members of the Kainai Nation getting naloxone training (a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdose).
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Members of the Blood Tribe EMS team with Roxi White Quills and Jacen Abrey of Bringing the Spirit Home Detox.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Clients at the Kainai Healing Lodge standing with Sean Chief Moon and Bryan Smith, addiction counsellors.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Members of the SAGE Clan voluntarily patrol Lethbridge providing support to vulnerable people.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Marcia White Quills with a client in the Mobile Medical Unit.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Material at the Arches Supervised Consumption Site in Lethbridge.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Staff members of Bringing the Spirit Home Detox

Key Subjects

Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Dr. Esther Tailfeathers works on the frontline of a drug poisoning epidemic on the Kainai Reserve.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Dr. Esther Tailfeathers with filmmaker Elle-Maija Tailfeathers and other Kainai healthcare workers visiting harm reduction advocates Vancouver.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Lori, a loving mother, sister and aunt, is on a journey of recovery.
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

Mariah and Shae
Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB
Photo: Seen Through Woman Prod. and NFB

George and Leah

Team


Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Writer/Director/Producer (Seen Through Woman Productions, Canada)


Photo
Photo : Sweetmoon Photography




lori lozinski
Producer (Seen Through Woman Productions, Canada)


Photo




David Christensen
Producer/Executive Producer (NFB)


Photo
Photo : NFB



Credits

a Seen Through Woman Productions
and National Film Board of Canada
co-production

Produced with the participation of
Telefilm Canada

Produced with the assistance of the
Hot Docs CrossCurrents Doc Fund

a film by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers

Kímmapiiyipitssini
“The Meaning of Empathy”


FOR MY GRANDFATHER, OTAHKOITAA.

Lester Tailfeathers (1939-2020)

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers

PRODUCED BY
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
David Christensen
Lori Lozinski

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
David Christensen

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Patrick McLaughlin

EDITOR
Hans Olson

COMPOSER
Chandra Melting Tallow

ANIMATION ILLUSTRATOR
Karlene Harvey

ANIMATOR
Aparna Kapur

FOR THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Esther Viragh

STUDIO ADMINISTRATORS
Devon Supeene
Bree Beach

STUDIO OPERATIONS MANAGER
Darin Clausen

PRODUCTION COORDINATORS
Jessica Smith
Hilda Amponsah
Tanis Redcrow
Faye Yoneda

MARKETING MANAGER
Kay Rondonneau

PUBLICIST
Katja De Bock

LEGAL COUNSEL
Christian Pitchen

ADDITIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
Damien Eagle Bear
Joshua Manyheads
Soloman Chiniquay
Arnell Tailfeathers
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers

SOUND RECORDISTS
Brad Martin
Alex Mitchell
Charlene Moore
Ron Osiowy
Arnell Tailfeathers
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Jeff Henschel
Francesco Russo

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Leonard Provost
Arnell Tailfeathers
Madison Tailfeathers
Deserae Yellow Horn

LOCATION MANAGER
Leonard Provost
Arnell Tailfeathers

PRODUCTION STILLS PHOTOGRAPER
Arnell Tailfeathers

IMPACT PRODUCER
Robyn Weasel Bear

DIRECTING AND PRODUCTION MENTEES
Jade Baxter
Olivia Marie Brooks
Tristin Greyeyes

ELDERS AND CULTURAL SUPPORT
Francis First Charger
Beverly Hungry Wolf

INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND POLICY
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Faye Morning Bull, B.A., LL.B.

POST PRODUCTION

1ST ASSISTANT EDITOR
Krystal Moss

COLOURIST / MENTOR
Sam Gilliing

COLOURIST MENTEE
Soloman Chiniquay

TITLES / GRAPHICS DESIGNER
Cheyenne Manning

ON-SCREEN GRAPHICS
Asia Youngman

SOUND EDITORIAL

SOUND DESIGNER
Peter Robinson

SOUND DESIGNER / MENTOR
Eva Madden

DIALOGUE EDITOR
Peter Robinson

ADDITIONAL SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR
David Green

ADR RECORDISTS
Peter Robinson

SOUND MIX FACILITY
SHARPE STUDIOS

PROJECT MANAGER
Laurie Melhus

SOUND SUPERVISOR
Kelly Cole

RE-RECORDING MIXER
May Guimarães

RE-RECORDING MIXER
Kevin Morales

POST-PRODUCTION FACILITY
ELEMENTAL POST

PROJECT SUPERVISOR
Matt Drake

FINISHING ARTIST
Ryan Mance

LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY
Nathaniel Lyman
Chandler Fodgen Aldous

AUDIT SERVICES BY
Gemma Davis
Sierra Accounting

INTERIM FINANCING PROVIDED BY
National Bank of Canada

INSURANCE PROVIDED BY
Front Row Insurance Brokers

POST PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING
Paralee Cook

“MINNOW FOREVER”
WRITTEN, COMPOSED AND PERFORMED BY
Laura Ortman
Courtesy of Laura Ortman

“RAEDEEN”
WRITTEN, COMPOSED AND PERFORMED BY
Quinn Christopherson (BMI)
Courtesy of Saghani LLC

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE & PHOTOS
THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA
“Circle of the Sun”
THE GLENBOW MUSEUM
SALAZAR FILM
LETHBRIDGE NEWS NOW
“Mavericks: Dr. Esther Tailfeathers”

ADDITIONAL SAGE CLAN FOOTAGE
Lee Anne Cutter

Filmed with the permission of Parks Canada in Waterton Lakes National Park

Filmed on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kainai, PiIkani, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ Nations.

ELEMENTAL
UBCP / ACTRA DGC/BC
WGC SHARPE SOUND

With the participation of the Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC
FIBC

CrossCurents Canada Doc Fund
CrossCurrents Doc Fund – Short/Interactive Stream

PARTICIPANTS (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers
Kirby Manyfingers
Tim Tailfeathers
Darwin Fisher
Lynda LaPretre
Tyler Bigchild
Michelle Wishart
Dr. Christy Sutherland
Tod Spencer
Pam Little Bear
Lori Eagle Plume
Melanie Old Shoes
Mariah Shouting
Kenneth Wood
Sonjae Bare Shin Bone
Leah Crazybull
George Calling Last
Mayor Maggie Kronen
Mike Fox
Stephanie Brown Weasel
Dallas Hindbull
Robyn Fox-Oka
Robert Calf
Sean Chief Moon
Bryan Smith
Ky Bird-Shouting
Jeremy Weasel Moccasin
Roxi White Quills
Chief Roy Fox
Shae Standing Alone
Kalon Sharp Adze
Geraldine Shade
Nolan Little Bear
Rady Goodrider
Stacey Bourque
Lloyd Chief Calf
Travis Bird
Mark Brave Rock
Gina Hunt
Sylvester “Sly” Daniels
Marcia White Quills
Lynda Eagle Speaker
Kevin Cowan
Jacen Abrey
Lani Blackwater
Trinity White Feathers
Sergeant John Connor
Virginia Tailfeathers
Lester Tailfeathers
Eline Van Munt
Leslie Wells
Kara Eagle Bear
Warren Potts
Rylan
Jeff Fox
Chantelle Vailleres
Leonard Chief Moon
Austin Tallman
Jagger Eagle Plume
Judy Sept
Tyler Chief Calf
Lorne Taylor
Baby Boy

SPECIAL THANKS
Susan Alexman
Marion Allaart
Eva Bad Eagle
Thomas Badman
Tim Baker
Corey Bartlett
Sandy Lee Beebe Iron Shirt
Leslie Belcourt
Deedrie Big Throat
Henry Big Throat
Peggy Big Throat
Floyd Bighead
Ramona Bighead
Stan Big Sorrel Horse
Lloyd Bigstone
Curtis Big Swallow
Dale Big Swallow
Gary Bird
Jason Bird
Warren Bird
Wyatt Bird
Keenan Blackplume
Kevin Black Plume
Patrick Black Plume
Andrew Blackwater
Cecilia Blackwater
Chancy Blackwater
Megan Blackwater
Joey Blood
Lauren Tawney Blood
Pam Blood
Shelley Bolton
Colin Boras
Starly Brave Rock
Annette Bruisedhead
Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse
Mike Bruisedhead
Myles Bruisedhead
Patricia Bruisedhead
Constable Grant Buckskin
Ben Buffalo Rider
Sophia Butler
Braden Burton
Jasmine Cachine
Carolla Calf
Lacey Calf Robe-Davis
Chris Campbell
Colleen Cardinal
Steve Cardinal
Cheri Carson
Taylor Chief Calf
Lorraine Chief Moon
Gloria Chief Moon
Tiffany Chief Moon
Vincent Christianson
Ethan Colenutt
Inspector Jason Colon
Dennis Cook
Oscar Cotton
Kelly Creighton
Harold Crooks
Jil Crop Eared Wolf
Natosi Crop Eared Wolf
The Crosstown Clinic
Dolly Creighton
Robert Creighton
Earl Crow
Kyla Crow
Lee Anne Cutter
Mikala Dalton
The family of Sly Daniels
Eric Davies
Jeannie Davis
Shilow Davis
Janice Dawe
Kacey Day Chief
Jauna Day Chief
Nancy Day Rider
Rosie Day Rider
Wyatt Day Rider
Chelsey Degroot
Brandon Dennehy
Patti Devine
Rena Devine
Ricky-Lee Devries
Anthony Dillon
Greg Dimmen
Dr. Shey Eagle Bear
Will Eagle Bear
Eric Eagle Child
Campbell Eagle Child
Geraldine Eagle Speaker
Patti Ellertson
Patsy English
Chantelle First Charger
Dorothy First Rider
Jerry Firth
Kelsea Foster
Ann Fox
Arnold Fox
Dan Fox
Derrick Fox
Georgette Fox
James Fox
Rose Fox
Roy Fox
Robyn Fox-Oka
Shauna Fox
Terri Lynn Fox
Tia Fox
Dylan Frank
Melanie Frank
Gina Galbraith
Ryan Gauthier
Adam Garnet Jones
Richard Gettman
Emile Giroux
Vanessa Gladue
Michael Goodstriker
Shanelle Goodrider
Keaton Grbavac
Kathleen Grebely
Chae-Lynn Griffin
Denise Griffin
Joe Griffin
Daniel “Husky” Gros Ventre Boy
Jennifer Gros Ventre Boy
Leon Gros Ventre Boy
Nico Gros Ventre Boy
Rebecca Gros Ventre Boy
Robert Gros Ventre Boy
Tyler Hagan
Jodie Hairy Bull
Kim Hall
Dave Hamm
Robert Hamilton
Belrina Hanuse
Starr Hatt
David Hauck
Leeanne Healy-Johnson
Lori Healy
Marlo Healy
Brooke Heatherington
Martin Heavy Head Jr.
Bradley Heavy Runner
Jamie Heavy Runner
Lenora Heavy Runner
Quenton Heavy Runner
Kathleen Hepburn
Darwin Hindbull
Delia Hindbull
Denver Hindbull
Jason Holy Redman
Katherine Holywhite Man
Amanda Honeysett
Kara Hornland
Tiffany Hsiung
Tasha Hubbard
Byrdy Hunt
Roger Hunt
Wayne Hunt
Chris Iron Shirt
Christine Iron Shirt
Coby Iron Shirt
Evan Iron Shirt
Tootsie Iron Shirt
Maddison Jarvis
Alanna Johnston
Chelsea Just
Shalda Kastor
Brian Kettle
Alfon Khibesheasa
Helen Knott
Penny Kostelny
Michaela Krizan
Tamara Labas
Richard Ladouceur
Hugh Lampkin
Angela Latham
Brad Larsen
Robbie Lawrence
Joanne Lemieux
Robyn Little Bear
Nidel Little Mustache
Justin Little Shields
Justy Linton
Joshua Mabbott
Daniel Macherske
Dr. Scott MacDonald
Jill Manning
Geraldine Manyfingers
Karen Manyfingers
Lenora Manyfingers
Randy Manyfingers
Jeff Martens
Rafeawae Marule McLean
Michael May
Blake McCallum
Mike McCague
Tyson McCarthy
Kirk McClain
Cheyenne McGinnis
Eric Mackenzie
Medrie McPhee
Daniel Mechebke

Amanda Meguinis
Chief Kyle Melting Tallow, BTP
Paul Michaud
Melissa Mistaken Chief
Jon Montes
Rob Morgan
Gordon Morning Bird
Shalayne Morning Owl
Tracey Morrison
Takara Motz
Andrew Moxon
Dr. Hassan Naqvi
David Napio
Denny No Runner
Echo Nowak
Carolyn Nymeyer
Aidan O’Brien
Ellie Oka
Veronica Oka-Wells
Charmayne Old Shoes
Greta Old Shoes
Kenneth Old Shoes
Matthew Olson
Gerdine Oosterwijk
Bill Perry
Cory Pantherbone
Stone Patton
Mark Peel
Megan Penney
Katie Piasta
Shawn Piche
Shannon Pickens
Tamara Pimental
Kenneth Plain Woman
Shane Plain Woman
Travis Plaited Hair
Clay Plume
The Portland Hotel Society
Meghan Potkins
Noel Poucette
Melissa Prairie Chicken
Karl Quesnelle
Elizabeth Radshaw
Joel Rain
Sienna Randolph
Rupert Richardson
Galen Rigter
Cory Robinson
Blaise Russell
Kara Russell
Tom Russell
Wanda Rusell
John Sam
Coty Savard
Matt Schmidt
Amanda Scout
Lawrence Scout
Lance Scout
Kristian Scout
Michael Seguin
Hank Shade
Lindi Shade
Patty Shade
Ronni Shade
Sandra Shade
Karen Shouting
John Skulsh
Kaylee Singh

Lynn Small Legs
Mervyn Small Legs
Billy-Jo Smith
Louise Smith
Marvin Smith
Patrick Smith
Shelley Lynn Smith
Marcel James Spearchief
Jaimee Sprinkle
Jason Steel
Monika Stein
Joseph Steinhauer
Martin Steward
Oliver Stokes
Tanner Stokes
Colby Stone
Spikes on Bikes
Angie Standing Alone
Garret Standing Alone
Wanda Standing Alone
Skye Starnino
Elizabeth Steiner
John Stoesser
Tanner Stokes
Bjarne Store-Jakobsen
Dr. Christy Sutherland
Jamie Sweetgrass
Shane Kenneth Sweetgrass
Bill Tailfeathers
Laurie Tailfeathers
Lance Tailfeathers
Lester Tailfeathers
Virginia Tailfeathers
Nadine Tailfeathers
Nicole Tailfeathers
Rick Tailfeathers
Tara Tailfeathers
Jonathan Tallman
Rana Tallman
Heidi Tao Yang
Taylor Thompson
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Michelle van Beusekom
Christopher Van Veen
Heidi Veldman
Darcie Vielle
Terrance Vogt
Tisha Wadsworth
Tina Watters
Dorothy Weaselfat
Charlton Weasel Head

Darcy Weasel Head
Josh Weasel Head
Marcel Weasel Head
Shalaine Weasel Head
Shannon Weasel Head
Bonnie Weasel Moccasin
Peter Weasel Moccasin
Vanessa Webster
Ardith Wells
Shelby Wells
The Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society
Franklyn Whitequills
Tammy Whitequills-Knife
Tracy Whiteman
Constable Julian Williams-Freeman
Maxine Willows
Jordan Wilson
Michelle Wishart
Billy Wolf Child
Bruce Wolf Child
Curtis Wolf Child
Donna Wolf Child
Jonathan Wolf Child
Samantha Wolf Child
Yolanda Wolf Child
David Young
Geraldine Young Pine
Sam Young Pine
Darren Zinkavich
Sarah Zwaryck

 

©2021 Seen Through Woman Productions and  National Film Board of Canada



Media Relations

  • About the NFB

    The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories, and participatory experiences. Since 1968, the NFB has produced over 300 works by First Nations, Métis and Inuit filmmakers—an unparalleled collection that pushes past dominant narratives and provides Indigenous perspectives to Canadian and global audiences. The NFB is implementing an action plan with commitments that include devoting a minimum of 15 percent of overall production spending to Indigenous-led productions and making these works more accessible via Indigenous Cinema, a destination on NFB.ca.

  • About Seen Through Woman Productions

    Seen Through Woman Productions is helmed by Blackfoot/Sámi filmmaker and actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. The company is named after Tailfeathers’ great-great-grandmother, Iitsisanowaa, which means “Seen Through Woman” in Blackfoot. Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy is the debut work from Seen Through Woman Productions.