b'FILMSIXTIES SCOOP and so, as an orphan, shes thrust into thisThe film is the first feature-length project ROSIE was another Indigenous film thatworld that she cant understand, Mauricefor Maurice and was inspired by a short recently caught the hearts and laughs ofdescribes. I wanted her surroundings to befilm she wrote earlier. It was never meant audiences at TIFF. Written and directed byas alien to her as possible, so shes isolated,to be anything more than a short, Maurice Mtis writer-director-actor Gail Maurice, thealone and lonely, but then use that situationsays. But I screened it at ImagineNATIVE comedy-drama examines the true definitionto show the power of chosen family and[Film + Media Arts Festival] in 2017 and of family through the eyes of a younglove, resilience and strength. got funding from ImagineNATIVE and English-speaking Indigenous girl whothe Harold Greenberg Fund to be part of lands in the care of a reluctant francophoneIts a homage to all the survivors out theretheir inaugural screenwriting program four Aunty Fred (Mlanie Bray) and her two bestwho have been taken away and are doingyears ago. I used that as an opportunity to friends in Montreal during the 1980s. the best that they can, even though theyexpand on the short and take a closer look Rosie is the product of a Sixties Scoop;might never know who their blood familyat the Sixties Scoop through the eyes of this her mom was taken away from her family,is, Maurice adds. young girl.CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: JENNIFER PODEMSKIWhether telling stories from behind a camera or capturing attention in front of the lens, Jennifer Podemski, founder and CEO of Redcloud Studios Inc., has spent over 30 years telling Indigenous stories and toppling stereotypes. Everything I do is Indigenous, she tells She is Wise. Its not a question of if being Indigenous informs my work because it is my work.For Podemski, that work spans acclaimed acting, directing and producing roles across hit TV hit shows (The Rez, Moccasin Flats, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Rabbit Fall, Blackstone, Unsettled, Reservation Dogs), films (Empire of Dirt), documentaries (Future History), shorts, music videos and more, to name only some of the 50-plus credits to her name. Podemski also runs the Shine Network Institute, an Indigenous owned and operated not-for profit organization offering profes-sional development, advocacy, consulting and mentorship for Indigenous women in the film, television and media sector. She created the organization in direct response to the chronic underrepresentation of Indigenous women on screen and behind the camera in Canadas media production sector. My entire career has been really based on dismantling systems of patriarchy and racism, and [creating] an authentic representation of Indigenous stories and people within the screen sector, says Podemski.The journey has not necessarily become easier over time, Podemski adds. Yet while it can still be very difficult for Indigenous creators to access opportunities in the industry, she is heartened to see more Indigenous people getting their foot in the door. The industry has changed in terms of visibility. There are more of us, and there is somewhat more opportunity and accessibility to opportunity, she observes. But its still very, very challenging.What we need is a top-down reconstruction [of the industry], which is typical of many sectors, Podemski continues. We need more Indigenous people owning and running production companies and in charge of the money and financing. We also need better, stronger relationships with the banks and networks, and more Indigenous people at the top.For up-and-coming Indigenous creators starting on their own journeys in the sector, Podemski says its critical to have not just a creative mind, but one in tune with business as well. No matter how talented you are as an artist, a performer, a writer, director, produceranythingand no matter how many ideas you have, you will inevitably run into the reality that if you dont have a strong handle on the business side of the art, then its going to be very difficult to excel.60Fall/Winter 2022'