Elders speak about mother earth for film-maker

Page 9

The words of four Iroquois Elders have been captured on film by Mohawk film-maker and activist Danny Beaton in hopes that their words of wisdom about mother earth will reach people and move them to action.

The Iroquois Speak Out For Mother Earth is the latest project created by Beaton, who has spent the last dozen or so years capturing the teachings of First Nations Elders on film.

In his latest film, Beaton shares with his audience the words of Clayton Logan, ceremonial leader of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, based in Newtown Cattaraugus Territory in New York state; John Mohawk, an Elder of the Turtle Clan from the Pinewood community in Cattaraugus Territory; Audrey Shenandoah, a Clan Mother of the Eel Clan from Onondaga Nation; and Faith Keeper Oren Lyons, also from Onondaga Nation.

The four Elders are people Beaton has come to know during his search for his traditional culture, a search he's been on since giving up drinking 14 years ago.

"The reason why I filmed the Elders that I filmed was because they're important leaders in their communities. And they're very respected amongst the Iroquois people. And all of the people that I filmed, they have a reputation for speaking out for mother earth. And they have a reputation for speaking out for Indigenous people," Beaton explained.

"Ever since I met these people, I've been talking to them and learning from them, and now I'm trying to share their wisdom. I'm trying to bring their message about the sacredness of mother earth to as many people as I can.

"That's what I've been doing with my films, is filming the beauty of my Elders and the wisdom of my Elders, and bringing it to the people. The best way for me to reach people is through television. All my films have national broadcast. I hope the people enjoy them, and get to learn from them. I think that's what it's all about. I know from our teachings that our culture, Native culture, is a culture of sharing, a culture of honoring the earth," he said.

When people watch the film, Beaton said he hopes they will see the wisdom in the words of the Elders.

"Just like our ancestors have been saying, if we poison the air, then we have to breathe it. If we poison the water, then we have to drink it. And if we poison mother earth, then we have to live in the poison. And the Elders are saying the earth can take care of us, as long as we take care of mother earth."

The Iroquois Speak Out For Mother Earth will have its world premiere broadcast on Vision TV at 9 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 30, as part of the Vision's Outlook Canada documentary series.