14. Catherine Martin: Mi'kmaq Storyteller

Catherine Martin (Mi’kmaq) is a Mi’kmaq storyteller, a filmmaker and singer of traditional songs.

As this episode of Storytellers in Motion begins, Catherine is participating in a travelling Indigenous arts festival in Old Massett, Haida Gwai. She is teaching an intensive 3-day course in filmmaking to Haida youth, passing on what she knows, and encouraging young people in the telling of stories.

Catherine is a documentary filmmaker, whose work dates back to the 1980’s. Her first film, 5 Feminist Minutes, is about the art and thoughts of the Indigenous feminist artist and activist, Shirley Bear, who had become an inspiration to her. She sees Indigenous filmmaking as “offering a window” into Indigenous culture, with Indigenous storytellers choosing and telling the stories they wish to share with others, as she says, “…from within”.

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