Poundmaker's Lodge: A Healing Place (1987)
Just north of the City of Edmonton lies Poundmaker’s Lodge, an addiction and mental-health facility specializing in treatment for Indigenous people. Founded in 1973 and still operational today, the Lodge’s programs and services are Indigenous-run and based in culturally appropriate recovery and healing techniques. Framing the short documentary with the words of the great Plains Cree Chief Pîhtokahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker), Alanis Obomsawin presents a frank examination of the root causes of substance abuse in Indigenous communities and how the absence of love and support – exacerbated by the impacts of colonialism and racism – created a legacy of alcoholism for some individuals. Through searing and emotional testimonies of people in the Lodge, this work presents portraits of courage and perseverance, and hope for future generations.
Director: Alanis Obomsawin
| Directing | Alanis Obomsawin | Director |
| Writing | Alanis Obomsawin | Writer |
| Sound | Dario Domingues | Music |
| Production | Marrin Canell | Producer |
| Sound | Shannon Two Feathers | Music |
| Production | Alanis Obomsawin | Producer |
| Production | Robert Verrall | Producer |
| Editing | Rita Roy | Editor |
