1/Not many people seem to be giving @NORTHERNGRRL the benefit of the doubt and I find this concerning.
cbc.ca/news/indigenou…
cbc.ca/news/indigenou…
2/ As a filmmaker in Canada with a vague mixed ethnicity my approach was to simply not say anything about my background.
As a suburb kid I had no real cultural identity. I just thought about computers and cameras. Nerd culture. Tech culture.
As a suburb kid I had no real cultural identity. I just thought about computers and cameras. Nerd culture. Tech culture.
3/ Fast-forward through university (film), I'm getting by as a cinematographer.
Get asked by a director I work with a lot to shoot a week-long travel doc on an aboriginal and non-aboriginal student exchange program.
Get asked by a director I work with a lot to shoot a week-long travel doc on an aboriginal and non-aboriginal student exchange program.
4/ Normally, behind the camera I don't need to interact with the subject.
Impossibly long days, close sleeping quarters the subject of my background comes up.
Rather than lie, I tell five Aboriginal, five non-aboriginal people that one of my parents is part Metis.
Impossibly long days, close sleeping quarters the subject of my background comes up.
Rather than lie, I tell five Aboriginal, five non-aboriginal people that one of my parents is part Metis.
5/ This seemed to come as a welcome shock but also led to many questions that I didn't have the answer to.
I probably phoned my parents the following day and I got the same, incredibly vague response I be gotten before: "you have an uncle I think is a chief" that's it.
I probably phoned my parents the following day and I got the same, incredibly vague response I be gotten before: "you have an uncle I think is a chief" that's it.
6/ By the end of the trip, into this void of unknown was a lot of speculation. Some people told me they were certain I was Huron. Others trying to convince me to reconnect with my culture.
Plausible option. The communities I met had their language and culture stolen.
Plausible option. The communities I met had their language and culture stolen.
7/ So *if* one of my grandparents had their identity taken. Was I allowed to recapture it? Many people were encouraging me to.
This is a really long winded way to say that had a couple factors been different: I might have made recapturing culture a bigger part of my life.
This is a really long winded way to say that had a couple factors been different: I might have made recapturing culture a bigger part of my life.
8/ 99% of people don't know what a cinematographer is. 99.99% don't know what they do. My personal life is of no interest to the broader public.
This is not the case for Michele Latimer an actor and director.
This is not the case for Michele Latimer an actor and director.
9/ People seem to want to shame her. Social media algorithms aren't great at nuance.
Personally, I will give her the benefit of the doubt.
Personally, I will give her the benefit of the doubt.
10/ So much more could be said but it's late. Its also impossible to articulate.
Anyways, I really *don't* look forward to Canadian media chewing and spitting out stories about this over the coming week. Cc:@CANADALAND @globeandmail @CBC
Anyways, I really *don't* look forward to Canadian media chewing and spitting out stories about this over the coming week. Cc:@CANADALAND @globeandmail @CBC
11/ There are many definitions of Indigenous.
The most broadly known, by definition, is the status card. If you have this card nobody questions you.
The qualifications were made by a hostile government who have been trying to reduce this number. Many don't accept it.
Messy...
The most broadly known, by definition, is the status card. If you have this card nobody questions you.
The qualifications were made by a hostile government who have been trying to reduce this number. Many don't accept it.
Messy...
12/ I do not have a status card. In many ways I wish identity could be this simple.
When you are told by multiple status elders that you can and should be considered indigenous it introduces a lot of messy and confusing thoughts.
When you are told by multiple status elders that you can and should be considered indigenous it introduces a lot of messy and confusing thoughts.
13/ My approach, as with most things I find confusing and messy, is to simply not think it talk about it. Out of sight, out if mind.
Occasionally I search for answers. None have been satisfying in clarity and scope.
Occasionally I search for answers. None have been satisfying in clarity and scope.
14/ What I have found clarity in (in part, thanks to the show I work on) is the discussion about gender identity.
I think it might have useful analogies in cultural identity. In the broadest sense: that there can be a spectrum on internal, external and genetic components.
I think it might have useful analogies in cultural identity. In the broadest sense: that there can be a spectrum on internal, external and genetic components.
15/ Sometimes internal, external and genetic factors are in simple alignment.
Sometimes, they are out of alignment or moving.
Sometimes, they are out of alignment or moving.
16/ I have sympathy for @NORTHERNGRRL if she isn't lying. That the false-positive association to a specific community was a mistake. That her grandfather gave her the impression he was indigenous in some meaningful way.
17/ Having ones identity (or perceived lack of) become a public spectacle is unpleasant to watch.
A nuanced timeline (free of confirmation bias) of facts and supporting stories from her family are what would help me understand this better.
✌️
A nuanced timeline (free of confirmation bias) of facts and supporting stories from her family are what would help me understand this better.
✌️
18/ I'm looking for instances of Latimer mentioning Kitigan Zibi. I've found one article and, in context, is pretty tenuous.
The mistake narrative seems likely to me.
straight.com/movies/filmmak…
cc:@Kanhehsiio @JorgeBarrera
The mistake narrative seems likely to me.
straight.com/movies/filmmak…
cc:@Kanhehsiio @JorgeBarrera
20/ That was in September 2020.
The earlier Aug 2020 @nfb press release in the "About the filmmaker" writeup from NFB appears to be the first mention of Kitigan Zibi.
canada.ca/en/national-fi…
The earlier Aug 2020 @nfb press release in the "About the filmmaker" writeup from NFB appears to be the first mention of Kitigan Zibi.
canada.ca/en/national-fi…
21/ A scroll though the past year of Michelle's FB timeline, I find (Ctrl+F) no mention of Kigan Zibi. Maybe it was erased.
A similar search through a half dozen archived versions of her Wikipedia entry and a Ctrl+F of the changelog I also see no mention.
A similar search through a half dozen archived versions of her Wikipedia entry and a Ctrl+F of the changelog I also see no mention.
22/ The @nfb press release has Adobe and Google tracking and therefore might have detailed analytics. I am curious who has access and can say how many people read it.
cc:@NFB_Jennifer @lilydeproze
canada.ca/en/national-fi…
cc:@NFB_Jennifer @lilydeproze
canada.ca/en/national-fi…
23/ Resigns from job, film pulled from distribution and now: award being returned. This is brutal acceptance of punishment for what might be a mistake.
https://twitter.com/DOC_Ontario/status/1341790337208111105
24/ A review of Latimer's current About page and archived versions going back to 2013 (and CV going back further) shows a consistent self-description of "Métis/Algonquin" no mention of Kitigan Zibi.
web.archive.org/web/2019*/http…
web.archive.org/web/2019*/http…
22/ Op-eds on Latimer have reached full hyperbole-banana-phone.
Questions, doubts and the burried nuances of the CBC story be damned. Assume bad faith and run wild @TheTyee !
Questions, doubts and the burried nuances of the CBC story be damned. Assume bad faith and run wild @TheTyee !
23/ This comment. Damn. Rare instance I'm glad to have clicked on the comments section. Usually it's a pile-on.
24/ Very good op-ed by @TheDHTaylor in the Globe. The bannock metaphor was brilliantly concise. Everything. The subtle caveat, the necessary vagueness. theglobeandmail.com/arts/televisio…
25/ Fun fact for the Roman history fans following me and baffled by my interest in indigenous identity:
Roman politicians used to link their ancestry back to God's to get a leg up.
Some people believe that Canadians are doing the same but with Native Ancestry.
Roman politicians used to link their ancestry back to God's to get a leg up.
Some people believe that Canadians are doing the same but with Native Ancestry.
26/ The term being adopted is called 'race-shifting' which people are applying to Michelle.
Here is an article in the Globe that defines it.
Article also helps in understanding the confusion around Métis.
theglobeandmail.com/amp/opinion/ar…
Here is an article in the Globe that defines it.
Article also helps in understanding the confusion around Métis.
theglobeandmail.com/amp/opinion/ar…
27/ Métis means 'mixed' (or mixed-blood) in French.
Read above article if you want to wade into who can or can't use the word when it comes to referring to groups of people.
Always thought the flag looked great. Bummer to see people divided over its use.
Read above article if you want to wade into who can or can't use the word when it comes to referring to groups of people.
Always thought the flag looked great. Bummer to see people divided over its use.
28/ Prior to controversy, I hadn't seen Michelle's stuff. I had see Jeff's. His horror film was best I saw at TIFF.
This industry is so small and there is a lot of pain.
This industry is so small and there is a lot of pain.
https://twitter.com/tripgore/status/1341739133639806976
29/ COVID was a nuclear bomb on film industry. Myself included. Told I had a start date ... got pushed back months... w/o work: got bummed out, started making Roman Emperors. Go figure.
Will there roaring 20s of creative explosion? Hope so.
Will there roaring 20s of creative explosion? Hope so.
30/ Actually, it started with conversions of missing persons busts. One ethnicity tagged 'Indiginous' was a challenge as it is not category formally tagged in @Artbreeder so I had to build my own library of portraits of indiginous' people...
medium.com/forensic-vr/ai…
medium.com/forensic-vr/ai…
31/ A task fraught with error and stereotypes. Google image search results were a mess.
Add to that the category errors that might have been made by coroner and the students building on the skull.
I made a small collection and anonymized the faces to make things easier 4 others
Add to that the category errors that might have been made by coroner and the students building on the skull.
I made a small collection and anonymized the faces to make things easier 4 others
32/ Watched three EPs of Trickster. Very CBC tv in pacing and production value. Cinematic moments an film-schoolish moments. Story holds everything together.
Is changing director going to change things? Probably good to mix things up regardless of guilt. Co-director?
Is changing director going to change things? Probably good to mix things up regardless of guilt. Co-director?
33/ Everything was a bit too on-the-nose for me. I feel like not many risks are being taken. Target audience younger than me. Being as objective as possible ... 6.2/10 so far.
34/ Here we have a myth that Michelle said her grandfather went to residential school. She was recounting a scene in the documentary.
The language is a bit blurry... But the interview isn't going into any depth. @FashionCanada cc:@Chiwakoandino
The language is a bit blurry... But the interview isn't going into any depth. @FashionCanada cc:@Chiwakoandino
35/ You never really know what's being left out of interviews. There are also external dynamics at play.
The interviewer @pahullbains might not know the sensitivities around this. The overall interview series name "My Story" makes the distinction even less clear.
The interviewer @pahullbains might not know the sensitivities around this. The overall interview series name "My Story" makes the distinction even less clear.
36/ Having been on the receiving end of media attention, having made serious efforts to respect and enforce journalism protocols, especially less rigorous media outlets, I know it's pretty difficult to police a media blitz. It would almost take a team to micromanage errors.
37/ If I want to judge someone fairly I read and critique their own published, fully considered words. In their own context.
Else, maybe a discussion between knowledgable peers. People who would know to make clear distinctions.
Else, maybe a discussion between knowledgable peers. People who would know to make clear distinctions.
38/ I think this is the most I've been consistently frustrated with a story since I started digging into Vice.
Michelle's doc series 'Rise' is a footnote of a way bigger story.
Can a stranger, family tree builder know more about you that you do yourself?
Michelle's doc series 'Rise' is a footnote of a way bigger story.
Can a stranger, family tree builder know more about you that you do yourself?
39/ Accurate genaology is painstaking stuff. The end result (think: infidelity, secret adoptions) makes it a house of cards.
The genaologist cited in Michelle's story blocked me when I began asking specifics on the methodology. I didn't even need names.
The genaologist cited in Michelle's story blocked me when I began asking specifics on the methodology. I didn't even need names.
40/ Imaging someone you don't know decides they don't like your identity.
Your identity, in part, is that your family (long dead) was shamed, hid secrets.
A few bozos decide you're a fake: They use public records, use incomplete data to make assumptions about your family.
Your identity, in part, is that your family (long dead) was shamed, hid secrets.
A few bozos decide you're a fake: They use public records, use incomplete data to make assumptions about your family.
41/ The cruelty manufactured by the people doing the shaming. I don't get it. Have they never been told a family secret by anyone in their life???
The burden placed on the people being called a fraud: you have to show your DNA to a reporter to get them to f**k off?
The burden placed on the people being called a fraud: you have to show your DNA to a reporter to get them to f**k off?
42/ Even then, the story might not go away.
Common sense: don't dox a family tree.
Common sense: don't dox a family tree.
43/ Some people want fines, jail time for 'pretendians' who misrepresent their identity
"Some, like Latimer and author Joseph Boyden, have used the ease of self-identity to access grant money and opportunities that could have gone to Indigenous people."
https://twitter.com/AngelaSterritt/status/1351550550316257281
"Some, like Latimer and author Joseph Boyden, have used the ease of self-identity to access grant money and opportunities that could have gone to Indigenous people."
44/ Counterpoint: no
45/ The journalists @Kanhehsiio and @JorgeBarrera seem to not be interested in knowing the errors in their reporting.
Admitting you're wrong is difficult when the stakes are high.
Admitting you're wrong is difficult when the stakes are high.
https://twitter.com/mikiebarb/status/1350537776874315777
46/ Available all tomorrow. My phone number is pretty easy to find.
49/ FYI: Finished Trickerster a few weeks ago. There were better episodes overall. I'd say the worst episode was a 5.9 and the best was an 7.9.
I'd probably have enjoyed it more if I was younger and without the controversy.
I'd probably have enjoyed it more if I was younger and without the controversy.
https://twitter.com/dvoshart/status/1343775997997551616?s=19
50/ Fun fact: In 2007 Michelle Latimer wanted to become a doctor but --gosh darn-- turns out she just wanted to become an evil shape-shifting Pretendian. Thanks @CBCIndigenous! #raceshifting /s
51/ @JorgeBarrera, in a call, assured me this quote is in the Toronto Star. Can't find it. @Kanhehsiio @CBCIndigenous ?
Can only find it in @BWheelerglobe's @globeandmail article.
"My father is not." Conveniently removed. 🤔
Can only find it in @BWheelerglobe's @globeandmail article.
"My father is not." Conveniently removed. 🤔
53/ Reviewed @DarrylLeroux's book. I rarely waste my time with such nonsense but someone had to do it.
"Great if you want to be anti-métis."
amazon.ca/review/R2DU8BN…
cc: @umanitobapress
"Great if you want to be anti-métis."
amazon.ca/review/R2DU8BN…
cc: @umanitobapress
54/ One error down, a bajillion to go. @globeandmail @TorontoStar @CANADALAND @TheTyee @APTNNews @RMComedy @TheAgentNDN
https://twitter.com/dvoshart/status/1356726693902364674?s=19
55/ It would seem as though St-Georges Smith Annie Robert is confirming some of Michelle Latimer's ancestry.
Via: Sage Trudell, daughter of John Trudell, reposting a private post.
Bottom image is some poorly researched YouTube essay. m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…
Via: Sage Trudell, daughter of John Trudell, reposting a private post.
Bottom image is some poorly researched YouTube essay. m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…
56/ Genaeology is painstaking stuff. A preliminary look into free genaeology site nosorigines (never to be considered a final word) shows a brick wall.
I'm personally inclined to believe these brick walls are people of mixed Indigenous ancestry.
I'm personally inclined to believe these brick walls are people of mixed Indigenous ancestry.
57/ Pseudo-Intellectual @DarrylLeroux dishes up another plate of eugenics for the Blood Quantum Hounds.
58/ Michelle Latimer just spent 5 moths proving she is who she says she is.
This public shaming has been an enormous waste of everyone's time.
I hope people who participated can admit they might have been unfair.
medium.com/@Michelle.Lati…
This public shaming has been an enormous waste of everyone's time.
I hope people who participated can admit they might have been unfair.
medium.com/@Michelle.Lati…
59/ @CBCIndigenous 's "photos do not include identifying captions" is so out of touch. An Indigenous person is supposed share photos and tell a crown corporation who all your family members are?
This outlandish expectation to invade privacy of family is unparalleled.
This outlandish expectation to invade privacy of family is unparalleled.
@CBCIndigenous 60/ Michelle: "in the early 2000s when there was nothing material to be gained through resources or funding opportunities by identifying as Indigenous"
1000x this.
There is *more* financial advantage to *not* identifying as Indigenous.
People don't get this.
1000x this.
There is *more* financial advantage to *not* identifying as Indigenous.
People don't get this.
61/ Imagine ruining someone's career with shoddy journalism. Then, when that that person recovers from 5 months of public shaming confirms their story... all you do is complain that your name was spelled wrong.
62/ If you want to understand why most Metis w/o federal recognition don't speak publicly.
Person 1: Polite attempt to understand.
Person 2: "What, so we can shovel more money that way?"
Hated based on BS + not even recognized.
@globeandmail
Person 1: Polite attempt to understand.
Person 2: "What, so we can shovel more money that way?"
Hated based on BS + not even recognized.
@globeandmail
@globeandmail 63/ Michelle never said this. She quite literally said the opposite. She gave a TedX Talk about defending another nations lands and being willing to put her life on the line for another nation.
https://twitter.com/TheAgentNDN/status/1392173465189355529
@globeandmail 64/ Compare & contrast 🙃
"For the record, *I'm* more Indigenous than Michelle Latimer (using her metrics) and I am a Very White Lady."
"For the record, *I'm* more Indigenous than Michelle Latimer (using her metrics) and I am a Very White Lady."
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