Without a whisper- Konnon:kwe

By Tsionatiio

The film is a documentary that follows Louise Herne, a Mohawk Clan Mother and Professor Sally Roesch Wagner as they seek to re-illustrate the narrative of history that has been told from one point of view.

Katsitsionni first set out three years ago to produce a film that would uncover the story behind the Haudenosaunee influence on women's rights movement. She also wanted to show that we (Onkwehonwe people) are still here and not just surviving but thriving. Katsitsionni heard Professor Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D speak about this topic around fifteen years ago and this sparked the idea of finding the story behind the story.

Professor Wagner is a well-known author, lecturer, and activist for women's rights and Louise Herne is not one to sit on the sidelines and let others dictate where we as a nation are headed. Herne is known to empower women and the movement of women's rights.

Local musicians have a special spotlight in the film including music by Bear Fox & the Akwesasne Women Singers. There are animations created by Marion Konwennénhon Delaronde from our sister community of Kahnawake. Illustrations are by John Fadden and the Women's Power Song was written by Bear Fox & Kaweienonni Peters and sung by Ionawiienhawi Sargent.

Without a Whisper was recently awarded Best Documentary Short Film at the 25th Red Nation International Film Festival, Honorable Mention Documentary Short at the Roxbury International Film Festival, and Audience Award at Woods Hole Film Festival. With many official selections including Female voices Rock Film Festival, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, SFiFF, and Anchorage International Film Festival.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy has played an important role in the development of the U.S. Constitution. To see the unfolding of how the women's rights movement was inspired by our ancestors is beyond empowering.

PBS streamed the film online for the month of November. Check your local listings for broadcast on PBS. Film tickets are available online with Anchorage International Film festival and Female Voices Rock film festival both held the week of December 4th to 13th.

"I encourage anybody young or old that has the gift of film to start using your gift," Katsitsionni. She would like to see more films done about our people and by our people. That alone helps change the narrative that is sometimes stereotypical. What's next for Katsitsionni? She has things in mind that she's not ready to disclose, but we have not seen the last of Katsitsionni and her creations.