Missisquoi NWR Indigenous Film Festival
The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge has been used as a location in many Indian-themed movies over the last ten years. This film festival will feature three of these films and includes a discussion by Frederick M. Wiseman. Wiseman has served as producer, co-producer, and historical consultant for over twenty historical documentaries and docu-dramas dealing with the Wabanaki experience. These five films are among those that used the Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge as a film location. As part of Vermont Archaeology Month, each film will be screened and followed by a discussion of the movie and its message about the history and culture of the Indigenous People of the Missisquoi region. The schedule is:
– 1:00 PM: Before the Lake was Champlain (2009). This movie deals with deep time prehistory of the original discovery and settlement of the Lake Champlain area. It discusses the fact that the settlers of the Champlain Basin were seafaring people who had the longest sea voyage recorded for the Ice Age. Louie’s Landing and the Maquam Creek trails are featured.
– 2:00 PM: 1609: the other side of history (2009). Explores the possible role that the Missisquoi Abenakis had in the European discovery of Lake Champlain. Missisquoi Abenaki actors portray their ancestors, using original and replica artifacts created especially for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Champlain’s arrival in the Lake. Louie’s Landing and Maquam Creek trails are featured.
– 3:00 PM: The Changeling (2008). Focuses on the story of a young 18th century English girl and an Abenaki warrior; and how they manage to make peace with each other. It shows a genuine antique birch bark canoe, which was filmed near Louie’s Landing from a Wildlife Refuge boat.
– 4:00 PM: Against the Darkness (2006). Shows seven Abenaki generations from the Missisquoi Region, illustrating original ancient images, maps, tools, clothing and accessories. The Black Creek Trail and Louie’s Landing are featured.
– 5:00 PM: Dinner. A light dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Missisquoi NWR. Recorded Wabanaki music by regional artists will be featured.
– 6:00 PM: Waban-aki: People from where the sun rises (2006). This movie was produced by the National Film Board of Canada’s award winning Alanis Obomsawin. It focuses on the Abenaki people of Quebec and to a lesser extent, Vermont, but has as a main theme, canoes being built in Vermont and launched at Louie’s Landing in the Refuge.
