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Modern stories told by the oldest of peoples were the subject of the latest StoryHive competition. The film industry development program went looking for Indigenous storytellers with their latest edition, and the response was so strong that the organization bent its own rules. Instead of 10 finalists from B.C. and 10 from Alberta, the Telus initiative shortlisted 30 finalists this time. All of them get $20,000 to take their in-development film proposals and make them a reality.
The region around Prince George was well represented among these finalists, so stories springing from the waters of our local culture will soon be fashioned into indelible screen documents.
One of them is entitled Takla Trap House, flowing from the ancient Aboriginal communities near Fort St. James.
Director Levi Davis said in his story pitch that "I don't have any formal training that pertains to film but I love the art of story telling," and he has transferrable skills from other endeavours. "I am an accomplished professional manager that aspires to get into the digital video industry. I currently work for Takla First Nation and feel the need to tell their stories. Their nation is the headwaters for the Fraser River and with that bring many opportunities to record their lengthy history."
His production team includes former UNBC student Caitlin Abraham who now works for Sasuchan Development Corporation, the economic arm of the Takla First Nation.
Their cameras will roll on the Takla traditions of fur trapping, which speaks both to ancient sustenance practices and post-colonial economic forces.
"This isn't about being noble and living in harmony with nature, this is what they do to make a living," said Davis. "Yet, there remains the conflict they live between trying to uphold traditional practices while industry and the ever-growing presence of the modern world encroaches upon the preservation of culture. As I have never lived on reserve or in a remote destination before, I find this fascinating and believe others will also."