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We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice

The rights of First Nations children take centre stage in this monumental documentary. Following a historic court case filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the Child and Family Caring Society of Canada against the federal government, Alanis Obomsawin exposes generations of injustices endured by First Nations children living on reserves and their families. Through passionate testimony and unwavering conviction, frontline childcare workers and experts including Cindy Blackstock take part in a decade-long court battle to ensure these children receive the same level of care as other Canadian children. Their case against Canada is a stark reminder of the …
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The rights of First Nations children take centre stage in this monumental documentary. Following a historic court case filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the Child and Family Caring Society of Canada against the federal government, Alanis Obomsawin exposes generations of injustices endured by First Nations children living on reserves and their families. Through passionate testimony and unwavering conviction, frontline childcare workers and experts including Cindy Blackstock take part in a decade-long court battle to ensure these children receive the same level of care as other Canadian children. Their case against Canada is a stark reminder of the disparities that persist in First Nations communities and the urgent need for justice to be served.

Also available on the
Alanis Obomsawin: A Legacy DVD box set
Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) Children and Youth Law and Crime All subjects
Indigenous Cinema
  • director
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • writer
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • editor
    Alison Burns
  • camera
    René Sioui Labelle
    Philippe Amiguet
    Germán Gutiérrez
    Maarten Kroonenburg
  • location sound
    Glenn Hodginns
    Thierry Morlass-Lurbe
    Marco Fania
    Yann Cleary
    Kim Nguyen
  • original music
    Michel Dubeau
    Lauren Bélec
  • musician
    Michel Dubeau
    Lauren Bélec
    Normand Guilbeault
  • additional music
    Dominique Tremblay
  • song - writer
    Ruth Moody
  • original song composer
    Frankie Dubois
  • narration
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • music recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
    Luc Léger
  • voice recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
    Luc Léger
  • sound editor
    Don Ayer
  • foley
    Lise Wedlock
  • research
    Alanis Obomsawin
    Katherine Kasirer
  • rights clearances
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • on-line
    Denis Pilon
  • graphic design
    Mélanie Bouchard
    Jacques-Bertrand Simard
  • titles
    Mélanie Bouchard
    Jacques-Bertrand Simard
  • digital editing technician
    Pierre Dupont
    Isabelle Painchaud
    Patrick Trahan
  • animation
    Élise Simard
    Brigitte Archambault
  • technical coordinator
    Jean-François Laprise
    Daniel Lord
  • technical coordination, projects
    Steve Hallé
  • technical coordinator - shooting equipment
    Steve Hallé
  • marketing manager
    François Jacques
  • marketing coordinator
    Jolène Lessard
  • publicist
    Pat Dillon
  • legal counsel
    Dominique Aubry
  • production assistant
    Mylène Augustin
    John Leo Woolsey
  • production coordinator
    Christine Williams
  • senior production coordinator
    Camila Blos
    Isabelle Limoges
  • program administrator
    Leslie Anne Poyntz
  • producer
    Alanis Obomsawin
  • executive producer
    Annette Clarke

Education

Ages 16 to 18

Notes

This documentary examines a historic court battle for the rights of First Nations children, through a case filed by the Assembly of First Nations and Child Caring Society of Canada against the federal government. Deeper understanding, research, discussions and projects related to children and human rights, discrimination, systemic racism and barriers, over-representation of First Nations children in foster care, and historical and current child welfare systems. Students could develop further knowledge of the justice system and how it affects First Nations, past and present. Students can learn more in depth about Jordan’s Principle and the key advocates who fought tirelessly for the human treatment of First Nations children. What is the connection between the forced assimilation policies of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare and the foster care system? Research the impacts of colonization tactics such as the reserve system and forced relocation. What are examples of traditional child-rearing practices? What are some of the lasting, devastating effects of government policies on First Nations family structures and what are examples of traditional kinship and community practices? What is Jordan’s Principle and how does it protect First Nations children?

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We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice
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