The Good Canadian: Leena Minifie on Systemic Injustice in Canada
In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Ouellette Stonechild interviews Lena Minifie (Gitxaala/British), a Vancouver-based film and television producer. They discuss Lena's latest documentary, 'The Good Canadian,' which explores systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. The conversation delves into the documentary's reception, the selection of interviewees, the emotional toll of filmmaking, and the importance of collaboration and trust in storytelling. Lena shares her personal connection to the issues presented in the film and emphasizes the need for self-care during the production process. The discussion also touches on the definitions of reconciliation, calls to action for viewers, and advice for storytellers. Lena expresses her hopes for the future of Indigenous storytelling and the importance of matriarchy in her culture.
More About Leena Minifie:
Her work includes producing Bones of Crows, Lily Gladstone: Far Out There, and British Columbia - An Untold History. An award-winning series producer, Leena has led impact campaigns for Indian Horse, The Grizzlies, and The New Corporation. She’s a Reelworld Producers Program fellow and 2024 Trailblazer. Leena’s upcoming directorial debut is THE GOOD CANADIAN, an investigative feature documentary that she has co-directed for APTN/CBC.
WEBSITE: thegoodcanadian.film
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to Lena Minifie and Her Work
(01:11) The Good Canadian: A Documentary Overview
(04:10) Audience Reception and Intentions
(06:08) Interviewee Selection and Perspectives
(09:10) Exploring Systemic Injustices
(11:30) Filming Process and Emotional Impact
(14:24) Collaboration and Trust in Storytelling
(18:01) Personal Connection to the Stories
(20:58) Self-Care During the Documentary Process
(25:10) Navigating Discomfort in Conversations
(30:41) Defining Reconciliation in 2025
(31:26) Calls to Action for Viewers
(34:34) Advice for Indigenous Viewers
(36:36) The Future of Indigenous Storytelling
Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app!
Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/
Find more about Matriarch Movement at https://matriarchmovement.ca/
This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network
https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/
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