Film explores ethics of documenting 'doctoring'

Edmonton film-maker Marie Burke takes a look into the world of traditional Native medicine with her documentary, Spirit Doctors. The National Film Board of Canada presented Spirit Doctors to a packed theatre at the Stanley A. Milner Library on Feb. 11. Burke introduced her audience to Mary and Ed Louie of southern British Columbia, two Native spirit doctors committed to age-old healing methods and ceremonial practices.

This film also explores the ongoing debate around the ethics of documenting sacred ceremonies and traditional knowledge.

"The recording of the ceremonies became important and what came out of that was, 'Yes, we need to record these for us, for us as Native people,'" said Burke, mother of three.

During the recording of this film, Don Howell, the film's sound technician, was unexpectedly diagnosed with throat cancer. The film documents his choice to be treated with modern medicine. After an investigation into his own Native background, he sought out the Louies for spiritual guidance and healing. The Louies decide to allow Howell's 'doctoring' to be recorded in order to teach others.

"Mary and Ed have courageously, I think, stepped forward and shared their teachings with me in this film," said Burke. "That's exposing themselves... Obviously they had their spiritual reasons for sharing that and maybe this is the right time to start documenting our knowledge for our children, grandchildren, because our spiritual people are passing to the next world. They are committed and dedicated to helping other people."

Although it took longer than Burke anticipated to get the film into the public domain, she said the film has been a personal accomplishment for her, "because when I was making this film, there was a lot of things going on for me.

"I really had to look at my own ethics; who am I accountable to," she said. "Film-making alone is really quite the accomplishment. It's an industry where you're able to tell your stories."

Through the 45-minute documentary, Burke wanted the message of bringing balance back to our lives to be related to the audience.

"We need that balance, especially those of us living in the city," she said. "In the modern day world, it's a fast-food world, everybody wants something now. These teachings require practice in your life... It's not something that you can pick up in a book. You have to live it, just as Mary and Ed do. I hope that's the message that comes across and for people to make up their own minds about what that means to them."

Burke has also produced, directed and written other films, including Inside and Out and Hard Drugs. However this is Burke's first documentary with the NFB.

"I worked really closely with Marie on it so I'm very happy with it. I think it's a very gentle, lyrical film," said Bonnie Thompson, producer with the NFB.

The making of the film was a learning experience for everyone involved, explained Thompson. She said she had learned a great deal from Mary and Ed because, "they are such wise people and they are so committed to these old practices that keep them accountable of the spirit world.

"I think often we start to work on film projects and we have no idea how much the film will demand of us and how profound it may be for us personally," said Thompson. "Therefore, I learned a lot from this film and, as well as from Marie. I think Mary and Ed also expected all of us that were working on the film to bring our own self to the experience and not just be there as a crew and that's a different experience than I sometimes have working on other kinds of films. It was a great learning experience for me. It was an interesting process."

The NFB has produced more than 11,000 films and other audiovisual works. For more information about how to obtain a copy of this film call 1-800-267-7710 or visit, www.nfb.ca.