Makwa Creative

21/10/2025

“Bannock may be controversial, but it signals: you are welcome here. Bannock, whether loved or debated, is on nearly every kitchen table in our communities. It’s a symbol of survival, adaptation, and gathering.” – Inez Cook, Auntie Up!

In this delicious episode of Auntie Up!, hosts Kim Wheeler and Tanya Talaga sit down with Inez Cook, owner of Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro, and Tracey Kim Bonneau, creator of Quest Out West: Wild Food. Together, they share stories of bannock, boujee meals, and the powerful ways food reconnects us to culture, family, and Nation.

Listen to ‘From Bannock to Boujee’ now at podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/auntie-up/id1592723511?i=1000546767384

19/10/2025

War for the Woods is heading to the Friday Harbor FILM Festival in the San Juan Islands, October 23–26, 2025!

We’re thrilled to see this powerful film continue its journey. You can also stream now at youtu.be/CWlpHir_9h8?si=g8HB0fgd6g5MxDnO

14/10/2025

Join us on Saturday, October 18th, at Century Cinemas for the Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising premiere in Kenora!

There will be two matinee screenings at 12:00PM and 3:00PM. Admission is free, but space is limited.

Reserve your spot now at eventbrite.ca/e/ni-naadamaadiz-red-power-rising-kenora-premiere-tickets-1796118431579?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

13/10/2025

“All we were trying to do was lift the story up.” – Shane Belcourt, Director

On September 10th, we gathered at Scotiabank Theatre for the world premiere of Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising during TIFF. Director Shane Belcourt speaks about the long road to bringing this story to life, highlighting the journey carried out by an all-Indigenous crew who showed up to honour the 1974 Anicinabe Park occupation and the people who led it.

Miigwetch to our director, collaborators, and everyone who helped bring Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising to the screen.

08/10/2025

As we continue to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous women, we're excited to feature Cedar Smoke!

Cedar, from Georgina Island and Alderville First Nations, is the founder of Naadowasiin Collective, a youth lodge dedicated to supporting Indigenous youth through culture, language, and ceremony. Currently studying Anishinaabemowin at Georgian College, Cedar is deeply passionate about language revitalization and creating culturally grounded spaces for future generations.

07/10/2025

War For The Woods is now streaming on YouTube!

Directed by Sean Stiller and Geoff Morrison, this powerful documentary follows Indigenous land defenders protecting the last of the old-growth forests.

Thirty years after historic logging protests on Vancouver Island, the battle to protect old growth forests is still raging.Title: War for the Woods (2021)Dir...

03/10/2025

“Blood memory is at the center of my hide-tanning. I didn’t inherit every step. My body remembers. The work is hard, emotional, and beautiful. Remembering is resistance.” – Amber Sandy, Auntie Up!

In this moving episode of Auntie Up!, hosts Jolene Banning and Kim Wheeler sit down with Amber Sandy and Kanina Terry to explore blood memory, hide-tanning, and the intergenerational strength carried in our bodies.

Listen to Blood Memory now at podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/auntie-up/id1592723511?i=1000567285499

30/09/2025

Today, we honour Survivors, families, and communities impacted by Indian residential schools, and we reflect on the truths that continue to live in our bodies, our stories, and our lands.

In a powerful piece from Radius at Simon Fraser University, a Palestinian-Canadian writer reflects on the grief of displacement, survival, and erasure, and draws a connection to the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. She recalls the words of our founder, Tanya Talaga: “We have always known.”

These truths, whether rooted in Turtle Island or Palestine, speak to a shared Knowing of survival, resistance, and the refusal to be erased. You can read the full article through now at radiussfu.com/on-histories-and-knowings

Makwa Creative believes storytelling is how we remember and resist. As we mark Truth and Reconciliation Day, we stand with our communities and all peoples whose Knowings have been denied, and we honour the strength it takes to keep those truths alive.

23/09/2025

“Tonight is for the warriors.” - Tanya Talaga, Producer & Co-Writer

On September 10th, we joined our team at Scotiabank Theatre for the world premiere of Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising during TIFF.

As we came together, we felt the power of this moment. Directed by Shane Belcourt, this film sheds light on a truth that was nearly lost: the 1974 Anicinabe Park occupation, led by the Ojibway Warriors Society. It’s a story of land, leadership, and love, told with urgency, reverence, and heart.

Miigwetch to our collaborators, translators, community leaders, and everyone who helped bring this story forward.

19/09/2025

“The RCMP are beyond repair… racism, misogyny, homophobia, and sexual violence — it’s rampant at every rank, in every province.” – Dr. Pamela Palmater, Auntie Up!

In this powerful episode of Auntie Up!, host Tanya Talaga is joined by Dr. Pamela Palmater, Jolene Banning, and Gladys Radek to confront the failures of the MMIWG Inquiry and the systemic violence that continues to endanger Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Together, they speak truth to power, exposing the deep harms within policing and calling for urgent, community-led solutions rooted in justice and safety.

Listen to S01 E09: Critics Say the Inquiry Got It Wrong, Did We? now at podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/auntie-up/id1592723511?i=1000546196098

18/09/2025

Tomorrow is the FINAL showcase of Making Mekwâc. Join us at Collision Gallery (18 Wellington St W) tomorrow from 7-10PM.

Mekwâc is the name of this installation, which is a Cree word meaning “now is good.” The project is a pertinent reminder to walk in a good way and in so doing confronts the participant to explore an awareness that is rooted in Indigenous teachings. The project is a stunning, experiential 360-degree immersive art installation, which leads the participant through breathtaking environments to create a heightened understanding of the connection between humanity and the rest of the universe. This experience is guided by the animals of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, revealing the wisdom of creation and humanity's place within it. It is the hope of the project to inspire an inclusive, collective approach to address current societal challenges related to truth and reconciliation and the environment.

Artists: James Monkman, Renée Kwan Monkman, Claudia Skunk, Brian T. Moore, Nigel Irwin, and Brian Vowles.

08/09/2025

This week, we sat down with APTN National News to talk about Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising, our new documentary on the 1974 Anicinabe Park occupation.

In this interview, Tanya Talaga and Shane Belcourt shares why this story matters today, how it connects to the fight for land and justice, and what it means to bring this history to the big screen at TIFF.

We are honoured to be premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this week on September 10 @ 7:15PM and September 11 @ 11:45AM at the Scotiabank Theatre.

Tickets available now at tiff.net/films/ni-naadamaadiz-red-power-rising