A film following along on a journey of repatriating sacred objects to the Tsilhqot'in is screening today, March 6, in Williams Lake.
The film Qats'ay: Bringing our spirits back home, directed by Trevor Mack and Jeremy Williams, showcases the journey Mack and others took to return the sacred objects to their home territory. The repatriation was done in collaboration with the Museum of Vancouver.
"I'm honored to have filmed and directed this film, and more importantly, be present, smudge, and sing with our fellow Tsilhqot'in as we retrieved the baskets from the big city," wrote Mack in a social media post announcing the free film screening.
Mack said the repatriation means the sacred objects, and therefore the Tsilhqot'in ancestral culture they represent, are back in their hands.
"The 60 baskets that have been repatriated have seen their days in the Tsilhqot'in sun, and are now available to our young artists for artistic inspiration, ceremonialists, and general public for a type of 'cultural catharsis.'"
The film also features Peyal Laceese, Micole Jane, Myers, Sierra William, Jaemyn Baldwin, Chantu William, Dakota Diabllo, Selina Myers, Roger William, Francis Laceese, Irene Toby, Nildziyenhiyah, and Mary William.
Since being brought back, the baskets have been on display in the Tsilhqot'in National Government office on South Lakeside Drive, and have also been used in ceremony. Mack said plans are underway to develop a permanent home for the baskets and other objects.
The repatriation work will continue, as well as work to document the process, with a feature length film in the works as well.
The free screening of the short film Qats'ay will take place Thursday, March 6 at 12 p.m. (noon) at the TNG office at 1729 South Lakeside Drive in Williams Lake. Everyone is welcome.