Documentary filmmaking is driven by the desire to share in the human experience. And it is not always easy to locate funding for many projects. I appreciate the efforts of established and new documentary filmmakers in bringing us stories that open our eyes. This is the case of first-time documentary filmmaker Jennifer Breckenridge who is working on a project titled Out of Darkness.

In Brenckenridge’s words, “this film is the story of GlennaMae who as a nine year old child in 1955, witnessed a horrific crime, the murder of three male Native teenagers by her own life long abuser, her father. After two unsuccessful attempts to find justice and have the police thoroughly investigate this crime, GlennaMae has decided to go on a personal quest to make this story public and to find the family of one of the victims, of whose name is known. Her ultimate wish is to honour his life, inform the family, and hopefully have his remains buried on his reserve. This powerful and compelling story is one example of a much larger issue of missing Native people, whether from residential schools in the past or from everyday life in the present, whose cases remain uninvestigated”.

                                     Out of Darkness from Michaela Hunter on Vimeo.

Breckenridge shared with me that GlennaMae is married to her father. It wasn’t until earlier this year that GlennaMae informed her about this story. “Being that she is a family member we have decided to do this investigation together and also to tell it to the public. It’s a multi-levelled human story – she’s a strong and determined woman.” The murder she witnessed happened at a time when thousands of kids went missing from residential schools without a trace. Apart from sharing GlennaMae’s story, this film would be a means “to humanize these boys who through the justice and residential school systems have been dehumanized.”

Breckenridge is determined in making this film. And has planned a fundraiser event on October 3rd. The event is to help generate funds to continue production of the film until other sources of funding are secured. Details regarding online fundraising efforts including a planned GoFundMe campaign will be released in due course. Thus far, Breckenridge has only been working on it for a few months. She is not sure yet but she figures this is a project that may last for at least one to two years.

Lee Maracle

The event will include spoken word artists: Mahlikah Aweri Dwayne Morgan Tommy Bewick Truth Is Lishai. Music by DJ Corey Dawkins. Live performances by soulful singer Crystal Clear and by QuiQue Escamilla. Special Guests include award winning author and poet Lee Maracle and of course, GlennaMae Breckenridge.

There will also be a silent auction with items like acupuncture, dinner for two, yoga, reflexology, and more! All monies raised will go to pay for continued costs of production. The event will be held at Revival Bar, 783 College Street, October 3rd from 8pm onwards. Hope to see many of you there and show your support!