Frank’s Journey
The Algonquin People, or Anishnabe as they call them self, are an Amerindian First Nation of Canada. Canadian government established reserves trying to settle these nomads, forcing them to rely on the government support to sustain a living, excluded them from land use decision and withdrew children to send them away from families and communities to ease assimilation.
These aboriginals are among the poorest citizens of a country member of the G8, often living conditions not dislike what one can find in some developping countries.
With the loss of land access, the community of Winneway also lost cultural references, language and values. Poverty, unemployment, use of drugs and alcohol, are among social issues that are the foundation of violence and self-destructive habits.
The Anishnabe have never given up any rights to their lands. They are excluded from decisions about the use of their traditional lands and it has led to anger and social problems. These negative feeling have been passed to younger generations and resulted in a broken spirit.
Here is the story of one of these spirit, trying to recover.
Frank Polson is an Algonquin artist from the northwest forest of Quebec, Canada.
After a life of struggle with hurts, violence, addictions, he is on his journey to recovery at 58, through his art.
He shared part of his journey with photojournalist, Marc-André Pauzé, so the mainstreams society can know a little bit more about the life of First Nation Amerindian.
Special Thanks to Mr Peter Buffett for the musical score: peterbuffett.com
Giving Back
3$ on each DVD sold with Personal Use and 19$ on those sold with Educational Use will be donated to an organism helping Algonquin children. We are currently searching for the best NGOs to give. We will post our choices soon.
Thad
Marc-André Pauzé