Documentary 'A Cree Approach' Set for World Premiere, Celebrating Cree Educator Freda Ahenakew
A powerful new documentary film titled A Cree Approach is preparing for its global debut next month, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary life and legacy of Cree educator Freda Ahenakew. The film, which will premiere at the Gender Equity in Media Festival in Vancouver, chronicles Ahenakew's lifelong dedication to teaching, revitalizing, and preserving the Cree language while overcoming significant personal challenges.
From Residential School to Academic Pioneer
Born in 1932 on the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation reserve in Saskatchewan, Freda Ahenakew spent part of her teenage years attending St. Alban's Residential School in Prince Albert before dropping out of high school to get married. What followed was a remarkable educational journey that would inspire generations.
In 1968, at the age of 36, Ahenakew made the courageous decision to return to high school, attending classes alongside several of her own twelve children. Beyond simply completing her own education, she sought to serve as a role model for her children who were losing interest in their studies. This act of resilience marked the beginning of an academic career that would span decades and earn her numerous honors.
A Legacy of Language Preservation and Academic Achievement
After completing her high school education, Ahenakew continued her studies at the University of Saskatchewan, where she also taught Cree language courses. She went on to teach at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College (now Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre) and Native Survival School (later renamed Joe Duquette High School and now Oskayak High School).
Her academic and cultural contributions were widely recognized through multiple honors, including honorary degrees from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 and the University of Manitoba in 2009. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998 and received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2005. In 2016, the Library on 20th Street in Saskatoon was renamed the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library in her honor.
A Granddaughter's Tribute to Resilience
The documentary was written and directed by Ahenakew's granddaughter, Tristin Greyeyes, a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation who has lived in Vancouver for the past nine years. Greyeyes began work on the project in 2021, driven by a personal connection to her grandmother's story.
"Her story resonates with me and helped me get through my schooling, being a single parent," Greyeyes explained. "It's just such a powerful story of resilience. I just wanted other people to hear it."
Greyeyes hopes the documentary will educate audiences about Indigenous language revitalization efforts. "I hope non-Indigenous people understand Indigenous people's struggle for language revitalization and more reclamation and why it's important and how it's affected our families," she said.
Global Platform for Indigenous Stories
A Cree Approach will screen on March 7 at the VIFF Centre in Vancouver as part of the Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest), which runs from March 5-8. The festival will showcase 35 films created by women and gender-diverse filmmakers from 13 countries, providing an international platform for Ahenakew's inspiring story.
Freda Ahenakew passed away in 2011, but through this documentary, her legacy of educational perseverance and cultural preservation continues to inspire new audiences worldwide. Her journey from residential school survivor to celebrated educator and language advocate represents a powerful narrative of Indigenous resilience and determination in the face of historical challenges.
