Finding Dawn

Christine Welsh,
2006,
73 min 29 s

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Synopsis
Education

Acclaimed Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh presents a compelling documentary that puts a human face on a national tragedy: the murders and disappearances of an estimated 500 Aboriginal women in Canada over the past 30 years. This is a journey into the dark heart of Native women's experience in Canada. From Vancouver's Skid Row to the Highway of Tears in northern British Columbia to Saskatoon, this film honours those who have passed and uncovers reasons for hope. Finding Dawn illustrates the deep historical, social and economic factors that contribute to the epidemic of violence against Native women in this country.

Grade 7 - 12

History and Citizenship Education / Issues in Society Today

Civics/Citizenship / Human Rights

Aboriginal Studies / Identity/Society

Aboriginal Studies / Issues

Teaching Guides

Guide 1

Educational purpose:

List and discuss the factors contributing to the lack of attention surrounding these disappearances. Summarize these in a letter to your MP to help raise the visibility of this issue. The federal government is allocating funds to investigate the disappearance of native women; how should the funds be spent?

Roisin Dewart, Montréal, QC