The Catholic Church's controversial past, particularly regarding its role in running federally-funded boarding schools in North America, is a rarely discussed topic. Devised as a solution to the so-called "Indian problem," these schools often became environments of dominant power and concealed crimes, specifically targeting indigenous communities in North America.
"Sugarcane," a documentary focusing on St. Joseph's Mission in Williams Lake, BC, Canada (shut down in 1981), brings to light the gruesome details of systematic oppression resulting in generational trauma and death. Co-directors Emily Kassie and Julian Brave Noisecat combine personal stories and historical revelations to construct a narrative on the enduring pain and resilience of the American Natives.
The filmmakers' strategic and sensitive approach to uncovering the secrets of St. Joseph’s Mission takes the documentary to another level. Using the investigation into an onsite unmarked grave as a launching point, "Sugarcane" inspects not only the atrocities committed within the school but also the lasting effects these traumas have on the survivors and their subsequent generations.
Abuse, death, betrayal, and unmarked graves are just a handful of the horrors unearthed in this investigation. The fallout from these traumatic experiences continues to affect communities today, leading to PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide among the survivors.
"Sugarcane" puts a human face on a painful history often rendered as detached facts in historical records. Through portraying individual stories interwoven with a community's persisting trauma, the film serves as a stirring call for accountability from those in power.
Despite the intense sorrow and trauma dissected in "Sugarcane," the film portrays the enduring spirit and resilience of the indigenous communities affected. Its message is ultimately one of survival and the pressing need for the preservation and healing of these communities.
