Poundmakers Lodge A Healing Place

This short documentary by Alanis Obomsawin takes us to Poundmakers Lodge a treatment centre in St Albert Alberta that welcomes Native people troubled by addiction to drugs and alcohol Named after a 19thcentury Native leader the centre offers a space where Natives can come together for mutual support partake in healing rituals like the sweat lodge and rediscover their traditions The film shows the despair of a people dispossessed of land culture language and dignity and their strength and courage in overcoming substance abuse