b'FILMROSIE is a homage to all the survivors out there who have been taken away and are doing the best that they can, even though they might never know who their blood familyisWe are#AeconProud toROSIE may mark Maurices first step intocontinue to partner with feature filmmaking, but it is not her firstIndigenous communities on the time in the spotlight. She is a two-timedevelopment of industry-leading Canadian Screen Award nominee for bestinfrastructure and employment supporting actress for her roles in Tricksteropportunities for Indigenous Peoples. and Night Raiders. Prior to getting roles by Indigenous storytellers and directors, sheAecon released its inaugural auditioned for many stereotypical roles inReconciliation Action Plan, reaffirming the late 90s and early 2000s. It was thisits commitment to collaboratively experience that inspired her to write andseek meaningful ways to engage in direct her own films.reconciliation by continuously working in unison with Indigenous Peoples.Maurice went on to complete nine shorts that premiered at festivals worldwide,READ MORE AT:including at Sundance, the Smithsonianaecon.com/IndigenousRelations and ImagineNATIVE, among others. She says she uses screenwriting and directing as an opportunity to bring real Indigenous stories to life and to bring her traditional Mtis Cree/Michif language to a larger audience. BREAKING BARRIERSStill, even a strong portfolio of shorts and acting successes was not enough to break through the entertainment industrys barriers at first. I remember going to a funding body with a feature film before ROSIE and not getting it. When I called to get feedback on how I could improveDeveloping my next application, I was told no onePrevention - New even read the script, she says. When I got that feedback, I was devastated.Beginnings services to I seriously thought about quitting themeet the needs of industry because whats the point of goingcommunities, children on when, as a writer or creative person, no one even cares about the story and alland families. kunuwanimano.comit comes down to is numbers? Ontario Native Womens Association61'