Ultimately,Sugarcanereminds us to respect the humanity in ourselves as well as in others.
Students endured poor living conditions, menial labor and frequent abuse.
Saint Joseph mission reflects the wider residential school system that caused generational trauma.
‘Sugarcane’National Geographic Documentary Films
Students were stripped of their culture, forbidden to speak native languages, frequently malnourished and abused.
There were 408 schools in total in the U.S., per the documentary.
We see how Charlene Belleau channels her residential school experience into activism, while NoiseCats father seeks personal healing.
Yet for all the pain,Sugarcaneoperates through humanity and empathy.
Moving forward remains a complex balancing act between proper commemoration and protecting survivors from re-traumatization.
By allowing space for conflicting outlooks within affected bands, the filmmakers model sensitive community-centered reconciliation.
Driven by empathy and their peoples determination, a much needed resolution will hopefully come quickly.
Title:SugarcaneFestival (Section):Sundance(U.S.
