Donna's Story

Donna's Story

| 50 min
Free
streaming

Also available

DVD

This intimate documentary paints a portrait of one Cree woman who left life on the streets to re-emerge as a powerful voice counseling Indigenous adults and youth about abuse and addiction. Raised in foster homes and caught up in drugs and prostitution by the age of 13, Donna Gamble shares her exhilarating and tumultuous journey and what motivated her to turn her life around. Together with her mother and daughters, Donna is working to shatter the cycle of addiction that has plagued their family for generations.

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Donna's Story, Doug Cuthand, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • director
    Doug Cuthand
  • assistant director
    Tasha Hubbard
  • editor
    Harley Michailuck
  • director of photography
    George Hupka
  • additional photography
    Kevin Hogarth
    Glen Markwart
  • grip
    Daniel Shingoose
  • location sound
    Thomas Hale
    Lanny Westgard
  • music composer
    Ross Nykiforuk
  • musician
    Ross Nykiforuk
    Jay Semko
  • sound editor
    Downy Karvonen
  • sound mix
    Serge Boivin
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • online editor
    Carey Komadina
  • colour correction
    Joe Owens
  • production assistant
    Pauline Cuthand
  • production supervisor
    Kelly Isaac
  • program administrator
    Margaret Smith
  • associate producer
    June Morgan
    Bonnie Thompson
  • executive producer
    Graydon McCrea
  • producer
    Jerry Krepakevich
 See also
Health and Medicine
Families
Women
Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis)
Sexuality and Reproduction
Children and Youth
All subjects
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  • None

    I watched Donna's story and was filled with empathy. I can't imagine the pain and sadness she has been through and continues to struggle with. I hope inscerely that continues to fight for a more peaceful life. She is a very strong woman and deserves to be loved like any other human being. If I could reach out to her and give her a hug I would. I was blessed with a good family and have lived a peaceful life. I married my high school sweetheart and we've been married almost 53 years. He is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames and I'm Caucasian. His siblings were not raised on a reserve, but he has many relatives that do. I have learned many things over our years together. I am happy to report that my parents and his parents accepted our union, dispite some misgivings. My parents retired to Vancouver Island after two weeks of our marriage. After talking to my Mother, I asked if she would be upset if I referred to my parents-in-law as Mom and Dad. She gave me her blessing to do so. It was the best advice I've ever been given prior to my marriage. I hope to understand more about the struggles of native women and men. I try to live by the "golden rule" as my Mother taught me. Ignorance about other cultures is not bliss. The more we know about others' customs and beliefs, the better we can communicate. I was inspired to read more about Doug Cuthand after reading several articles that have appeared in the London Free Press. I will continue to follow the information posted on this website. Thank You!

    None, 29 Jun 2022

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