Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy

DIRECTED BY Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
PRODUCED BY LORI LOZINSKI
IMPACT PRODUCED BY ROBYN WEASEL BEAR

Contextualized in the historical and lived trauma of settler colonialism, Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy draws a connecting line between the impacts of colonialism on Blackfoot land and people and the ongoing substance-use crisis. By questioning abstinence-only treatment, and showing the lives saved through harm-reduction models, the film asks the audience to have love and hope for those who are marginalized by addiction and racism.

IMPACT GOALS

Create empathy and an intention to care for people from the communities similar to those shown in the film.

Normalize harm reduction models in communities struggling with addiction and racism.

Pave the way for Indigenous communities in Canada to have greater access to Indigenous-led harm reduction centres.

Educate health service providers with prescribing powers for controlled substances like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, on the efficacy of harm reduction.

CURRENT ATTENDEES

Abby Morning Bull – Learning Facilitator for Indigenous Student Success Cohort, The University of Lethbridge

Am Johal – Director, SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement

Amanda Scout – Indigenous Advisor, City of Lethbridge

Ana Glavan – Director of Community Relations, HIV Community Link

Aurelio Naraval – Programs and Policy Manager, ActionDignity

Austin Pantherbone – Operations Manager, Documentary Organization of Canada

Becca Beatie – Board, Camponi Housing

Caitlin Shane – Drug Policy Staff Lawyer, Pivot Legal Society

Capri Rasmussen – Clinical Administration Manager, Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions

Carrie Doody – Counsellor, ‘Ksan Society

Cherie Shot Both Sides – Indigenous Recovery Coach, Aapai'tsi'taapii'saam Indigenous Recovery Coaching Program

Christina Chant – Director of Education and Clinical Activities, BC Centre on Substance Use

Cornelia (Nel) Wieman – Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer, First Nations Health Authority

Corrina Chase – First Nations Addictions Care Partnership Manager, First Nations Health Authority & BC Centre on Substance Use

Danielle Powder – Manager, Indigenous Knowledge and Research Centre, Concordia University of Edmonton

Donald MacPherson – Executive Director, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition

Dori Dempster – Executive Director, The Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary and Get Your Drugs Tested

Elsbeth Mehrer – Senior Advisor, Mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek's office

Emily Bailey – Manager, Mycelium Program, YouthCO

Ginetta Salvalaggio – Associate Scientific Director, Inner City Health and Wellness Program

Jada-Gabrielle Pape – Founder, Drawing Wisdom

Jaqs Aquines – Cultural Instigators, Citizen Artists YYC

Jason Mercredi – Executive Director, Prairie Harm Reduction

Jeremy Jones – RHSW / LGBQT+ Liaison, Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Jerry Firth – Lethbridge Manager, Alpha House Society

Jessica Hannon – Community Organizer, Yukon

Jessie Letendre – Engagement Coordinator, First Peoples’ House, University of Alberta

Jillian Jones – Provincial Mental Health Coordinator, Métis Nation BC

Jolene Wesley – Interim Executive Director, Kermode Friendship Society

Juno Zavitz – Program Coordinator: Grief, Loss and Wellness Initiative, Breakaway Community Services

Kat Dodds – Founder, Hello Cool World

Katie Mai – Leader, Patient Experience and Community Engagement, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Kelli Morning Bull – Filmmaker and Indigenous Service Design Lead, Calgary Public Library

Kendrie Upton – Executive Director, DGC-BC

Krista Butler – Program Manager, Speakers Bureau, Megaphone

Kyla Prakash – Community Prevention Practitioner, Métis Nation of Alberta

Lara-Rose Duong – Collective Growth Officer, Cannabis for Harm Reduction

Lauren Brown – Health Director, Skidegate Health Centre

Leslie McBain – Co-Founder, Moms Stop The Harm & Family Engagement Lead, BC Centre on Substance Use

Lisa Vigilance – Executive Director of Student Association, Keyano College

Lisa Lawley – Circle Of Life Coordinator, Kermode Friendship Society

Mandy DeCecco-Kolebaba – Owner, Collaborative Strategies

Matthew Bonn – Project Manager, Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs

Megan Williamson – Director of Programs , HIV Community Link

Michelle Demoe – Harm Reduction Outreach Worker, ‘Ksan Society

N'alag̱a / Kaaw Kuuna (Avis O'Brien) – Nalaga Consulting

Natasha Touesnard – Executive Director, Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs

Nic Mortensen – Paramedic BC, Harm Reduction Task Force

Nona Marchand – Manager, Yúusnewas Program, YouthCO

Perry Stein – Indigenous Relations Advisor, City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations office

Petra Schulz – Founder, MomsStopTheHarm

Riel Houle – Councillor, Piikani Nation

Sammy Iammarino – Senior Practice Leader, Harm Reduction and Overdose Response, BC Centre for Disease Control

Sammy Pranteau – Misipawistik Swampy Cree DTES Community Organizer

Shanee Prasad – Indigenous Chair, Anti-Oppressors Educators Collective Burnaby

Shaundra Bruvall – Communications and Fund Development Manager, Alpha House Society

Stacy Gillingham – Executive Director, Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre

Tawnya Plain Eagle – Communications Manager, Piikani Nation Radio

Terri Gillis – Provincial Harm Reduction Coordinator , Métis Nation BC

Tracy Suter – Student Wellness Worker, First Peoples' House

Veronica Doleman – Program Administrator, Keyano College

Wunmi Idowu – Founder & Director, Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.

Yvonne Marcus – Social Justice Team Chair, Vancouver Unitarians

PROGRAM FUNDERS

SMI TEAM

BOARD

Tinu Mathur - President
Tracey Friesen - Vice President & Acting Secretary
Mark Busse - Treasurer
Annette Frymer
John Dippong
Leonard Schein
Loc Dao
Laura Plant
Liz Shorten

SMI Team

Sue Biely, Executive Director
Anthony Truong Swan, Impact Director
Em Lubbers, Media & Programming Coordinator
Brianna Girdler, Technical Director
Olive Reed, Tech & Digital Coordinator Intern
Siobhan McCarthy, Research & Coordinator Assistant
Val Hoye, Bookkeeper
Giacomo Nudi
Josli Rockafella
Nikita Takkar
Tamo Campos