The National Film Board of Canada releases 'Inconvenient Indian'

After being pulled in December 2020, the National Film Board finally released the 'Inconvenient Indian' documentary.

"After a series of meaningful consultations involving all the Indigenous participants whose stories the film presents and the National Film Board of Canada's Indigenous Advisory Committee, the NFB, 90th Parallel Productions and producer Jesse Wente have arrived at an accountable path forward for Inconvenient Indian, one that acknowledges the collective contribution of the on-screen Indigenous participants. The film will be made available for educational distribution and community screenings beginning in the fall of 2022. This decision reflects the shared priority by all involved to have the film serve its highest value," NFB PR stated.

The release schedule comes more than a year surrounding controversy over the director's claims of Indigenous ancestry.

NFB stated, "Out of respect for the participants and to reduce further harm, the NFB and the coproducers took the opportunity to step back and begin an extensive conversation about the future path of the film with the NFB Indigenous Advisory Committee and the film participants. It was decided to make the film available for community and educational screenings to promote dialogue and conversation about the issues raised in Thomas King's book The Inconvenient Indian; the film will be accompanied by supplementary educational material created to encourage reflection and discussion. As the film was produced in association with APTN, APTN will broadcast and stream it in Canada starting April 8."

During this time, Latimer spent time researching her heritage. Sebastien Malette, a co-author of Latimer's heritage report is an associate professor of law and legal studies at Carleton University.

According to CBC, "Malette is helping a group claiming Indigenous rights as Métis in Maniwaki, Que., which is within the homelands of Kitigan Zibi. The case involves a member of the Maniwaki group claiming an Aboriginal right under the Constitution to maintain a hunting camp on Crown land. Malette's work purports the existence of Métis in parts of eastern Canada, a theory rejected by other Métis scholars. The Métis homeland is generally viewed as being west of the Great Lakes."

Kitigan Zibi Chief Dylan Whiteduck told CBC the case could degrade Algonquin rights over lands and resources and is considering intervening, "It does have long-term impacts on the [Algonquin] nation, especially Kitigan Zibi First Nation," said Whiteduck.

Prominent lawyer Jean Teillet, the great-grand niece of Métis leader Louis Riel, said she read Latimer's words in the Globe article, "From my perspective, it's a fantasy," said Teillet, who successfully argued the landmark Powley decision on Métis rights before the Supreme Court and published a book on Métis history called The Northwest is our Mother.

"I think it's very damaging for the legitimate Métis community, for the legitimate Algonquin community," Teillet said.

"Most of the legitimate Métis groups ... they don't accept people who just find an ever-so-great grandmother back in the 1600s. That doesn't work. That is not a culture. It's just a genealogical fact."

Additionally, as part of this path forward, Inconvenient Indian will be making its world broadcast premiere on APTN on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 9 p.m., across all APTN channels. The film will also be available for streaming on APTN lumi the following day.

Inconvenient Indian is directed by Michelle Latimer and features Thomas King, Christi Belcourt, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Nyla Innuksuk, The Halluci Nation, Skawennati, Jason Edward Lewis, Carman Tozer, Steven Lonsdale and Kent Monkman. Inconvenient Indian is produced by Stuart Henderson (90th Parallel Productions), Justine Pimlott (NFB) and Jesse Wente. The executive producers are Gordon Henderson for 90th Parallel Productions and Anita Lee, head of the NFB's Ontario Studio in Toronto.

Michelle Latimer will not be involved in publicity and promotion of the film.