My Name Is Kahentiiosta
1995
Synopsis
1990. A young Kahnawake Mohawk woman named Kahentiiosta is arrested after the Oka Crisis’ 78-day armed standoff. She is detained four days longer than the other women. Her crime? The prosecutor representing the Quebec government did not accept her Indigenous name.
Editorial
Bureaucracy is another channel for systemic prejudice in this portrait of an ardent protestor, maligned for her Mohawk name. Giving voice to one individual who set aside pacifism to protect an endangered environment and her people, this short resonates with historic fights for self-determination.
