Indian Horse (2017)

Indian Horse: Directed by Stephen S. Campanelli. With Ajuawak Kapashesit, Wayne Baker, Sladen Peltier, Skye Pelletier. Follows the life of Native Canadian Saul Indian Horse as he survives residential school and life amongst the racism of the 1970s. A talented hockey player, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism.

“Based on the novel by Richard Wagamese: in the 1960s, Saul Indian Horse (played at different times by Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, and Ajuawak Kapashesit) is an indigenous boy in northern Ontario who is forced into a Catholic residential school where he eventually develops exceptional skills as a hockey player.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn addition to successfully focusing on a personal story that reflects probably the worst part of Canadau0026#39;s history (more on that later), u0026quot;Indian Horseu0026quot; fascinates in some segments that involve conflicting values. One involves generations of an indigenous family in which an elder practices traditional spirituality while the younger adult generation (brainwashed in residential schools) insists that Christianity is the only acceptable belief system. In later scenes, interpretations of Christianity itself present a conflict in the residential school. On the one hand is a reforming priest who believes in a compassionate approach to the children; on the other is a nun (a true creature from hell) whose approach is literal and uses any means necessary to u0026quot;Christianizeu0026quot; the children.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe filmu0026#39;s conclusion is quite touching in its recollection of Saulu0026#39;s difficult past as he tries to come to terms with it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe fact this film was made and distributed (and playing for more than a month in some theatres) is a victory in itself – not only because it is a film of good quality but mainly for frankly addressing some of the worst parts of Canadian history – recent and not so recent. Hopefully, similar stories will be told. – dbamateurcritic”