[Traffic noise] [Dog barks] [Indistinct radio chatter] Man on radio: ...City Broadcasting Corporation, 94.3 FM in Regina, Saskatchewan.
[Country music playing] Man: Oh, I wish it would rain To wash away my pain... [Water dripping] I wish it would rain [Birds chirping] [Keys jangle, clatter] [Water runs] [Music playing on radio] [Man speaking Indigenous language] ["Hey, Little Bird" by Buffy Sainte-Marie playing] Hey, Little Bird, I remember you You, with your dreams up higher than you could fly Hey, I remember you Hey, Little Bird Lost in the summer sun Those were the days when your feathers were new And I remember you Little Bird Now it's all comin' back The whole world is your habitat But more than that, if we meet again Will you know me?
So, Little Bird Flash your colors and I will say Glide into time with the moon on your wing Little Bird Little Bird Little Bird Like a gull on the sea Your resting place could be Heaven Or countless oceans far from me [Distant chatter] Golda: Oh, look at this.
This is so beautiful.
Your coloring.
You know, Esther, she's very good at art.
You should see her stuff sometime.
Yvonne: Morning, Bezhig.
Golda: Oh, good morning.
Excuse me one moment.
Maggie: I forgot how much I colored.
[Golda humming] Maggie: Don't look at that.
Yvonne: OK. Maggie: They'll turn into persons.
Yvonne: I won't look at it.
Maggie: I just feel like-- Yvonne: Mm-hmm.
[Tearing, Maggie chuckles] [Both speaking Hebrew] May his memory be a blessing.
Yvonne: Here.
Made it nice and strong.
Bezhig: Thank you.
Maggie: Hey, come back and color this in.
Yvonne: Maggie, do it yourself.
No, no, she's right.
I said I would.
Esther was the same way.
Natural leader, that's what they called it on her report cards, but what they really meant was likes to tell everyone what to do.
[Maggie laughs] Golda: Which one?
This one?
OK, listen, you're a scary lady, so I'll do whatever you say.
Maggie: OK. Golda: OK. [Bezhig sniffles] Yvonne: It's a sacred fire.
It burns for 4 days when someone passes away.
You can go outside if you want to.
[Music playing on radio] [Door shuts] Leo: Ahem.
Come.
Come here.
I'll take it.
Yeah, open that up.
So we take some.
Open your left hand.
Yeah.
OK. Come this direction.
It's the first medicine given to us by the Creator.
Put it in our right hand.
And you offer it to the fire and then, well, prayers go up.
[Fire crackling] [Music playing softly] Here, here.
Take it.
Your mom's cool.
She--she played with the kids.
And then she'll probably make breakfast.
I thought when she was going to come here, she was going to scoop you up, bring you back to Montreal.
But no.
[Chuckles] [Door opens, shuts] Golda: I can join?
Leo: Yeah, of course.
Here.
Bezhig: No, Leo.
Can I show her?
Mom, you take this.
It's the first medicine given to us by Creator.
And you put it in your left hand.
And hold.
Then you come around the fire this way, in this direction.
And put the medicine in your right hand.
And you pray.
And your prayers get taken up to the Creator when you offer the medicine to the fire.
Leo: Here, Golda.
Take my chair.
I'll leave you two alone.
Golda: Thank you.
Leo: Yeah.
Hmm.
The last time I was in Regina was to adopt you.
I liked it here.
Because I was going to meet you.
Mom, I'm sorry.
[Sniffles] I'm sorry for what I said.
You're a good girl.
You're a good girl.
[Crying] Man: I still love you till my days... Announcer: Sad news from Long Pine First Nation today.
The lead singer of Native Son known as Henry Thompson, born Niizh Little Bird, will be laid to rest in his home community of Long Pine tomorrow.
His debut album explores themes of culture and identity.
Sending prayers to his loved ones, here's another track from Native Son.
This is "Lullaby."
[Niizh singing in Indigenous language] [Patti and Niizh singing in Indigenous language] [Sobbing] The wind, the wind cries at moonlight And darkness fills the skies I'm always here with you Close your eyes and hear the sound A river flowing strong I'm always here with you [Patti sobs] The waves will crash and trees will shake Hold on to more than... Brigit: Hello, everyone.
Asin: Hey, everybody.
Hi.
Mom, this is my Auntie Brigit.
-Hi.
-Hello.
Asin: So, you're Golda.
Right.
Sorry.
This is my grandfather, Asin.
[Asin speaking Indigenous language] Golda: Happy to meet you.
Asin: Likewise.
So how was he?
Was he still a little shit?
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I'm going to go back out to the fire to give Leo a break.
You going to be OK?
So, um, what do you guys want me to do?
Uh, the cake is almost finished.
Oh, yeah?
You just need to start the moose stew.
Bezhig: Well, I'm done cutting vegetables, if there's anything else that needs to be done.
Esther, she can cut vegetables.
Don't let her cook.
[Brigit laughs] [Phone ringing] Mom.
Yvonne: Hello?
Ah, yeah, it is.
Yeah, she's here.
Hold on.
Um, Esther, it's for you.
Bezhig: Hello?
Doug: Esther.
Hi.
I'm calling from the hospital 'cause baby's here.
Doug?
Yeah.
She came this morning.
Wow!
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Yeah.
I can't wait for you to meet this baby.
Wait.
Does Dora know you're calling me?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I told her I'd try this number, see if I could reach you.
We're at Saint Mary's Hospital, room 224.
OK. You going to come?
[Man speaking on radio, indistinct] Yeah.
Yeah.
I'll see you soon.
[Rain pattering] Thank you for letting me drive you.
I broke up with David.
I know.
I know all of it, that you ended your engagement, that you smoke.
I think you're making a mistake.
But it is your mistake to make.
Thank you.
Get married.
Don't get married.
But don't quit law school.
And it's not because I want you to become a fancy lawyer so I could boast about it.
It's because I just want you to have your independence.
There's a good law school in Regina.
It's not great, but it's good.
[Phone ringing] Bezhig: Hi.
Mazel Tov.
Congratulations.
Doug: Thank you.
Come see baby.
[Bezhig laughs] Look, it's your Auntie Bezhig.
She's gorgeous.
Oh, she's so tiny.
Her name is Bineshiikwe.
Bineshii means bird, kwe means woman.
Bineshiikwe.
It's beautiful.
What's that on your shirt?
Oh.
It's a Jewish thing.
Thank you for calling me.
Yeah, of course.
Yeah, we wanted you to meet the baby.
So, how did it all go?
[Laughing] It was real crazy, actually.
My water broke in the cab, and the cab driver was like, "It's OK.
It's just a seat.
This is life."
[All laughing] And my labor was fucking 27 hours long, so, I'm just sitting on ice packs.
Bezhig: Wow.
27 hours.
Mr. Miller: Dora Mueller?
Yes, that's me.
Miller: I work for Child Protective Services.
Is this the father?
Dora: Yeah.
Miller: I will speak to the mother alone.
Take the father out.
Doug: It'll be fine.
Miller: I'm not here to remove right now.
I'm here to determine if the new child has appropriate care.
Bezhig: I'd like to stay.
-And you are?
-Her sister.
Any interruption to this process will mean a call to the police.
You're receiving social assistance?
Dora: Yes.
-Are you currently soliciting?
-No.
-To supplement your income?
-I'm not.
[Sound of kids shouting, muffled] Miller: You have an address?
189 Oak Street, Regina.
Miller: If I went into your home right now, would I find a crib?
Dora: You would.
Yes.
Miller: Would I find food in the fridge?
Diapers... Jeannie: We are here to determine whether you are a fit mother.
Miller: ...need to support this child, to pay for food.
Dora: Yes.
I'd like to ask a question.
I'm a lawyer.
Is my sister legally obligated to answer you?
Once a report has been received, it's in the parent's best interest to cooperate.
The baby was born this morning.
I don't understand why there's a concern for care.
Based on what?
Miller: Based on your sister's criminal record, her demeanor while in hospital.
Do you have a card?
OK, Mr. Miller, I'm going to be advising my sister through this process.
Miller: Give me a minute.
Fucker.
Just breathe.
It's OK. -Fuckers.
-It's going to be OK. We won't be removing the child this morning.
That said, there's now an open investigation.
We'll be making a home visit in the next few days.
Bezhig: When?
Miller: When we choose to.
[Dora sobbing] Dora: They're gonna take my...
They're gonna take my baby.
No, they're not.
No, no, no, listen.
No, we got the crib, we got diapers, we got formula.
We got everything.
OK?
It's not happening.
It's not happening, baby.
Listen.
It's OK. [Dora sobbing] [Sound of Patti screaming] Dora: My baby!
Doug: They're not taking your baby away from you.
They're not.
Dora: ...away... [Car engine stops] Wait.
Wait.
You should have told me.
I would have come in.
I would have helped.
It's fine.
After you left, I looked and I found reports from the provincial courts about mothers losing children.
Yeah.
This thing that happened to you and to your family... this is disgusting.
When I first met you, you were all dressed up in a nice dress, but you didn't smile.
And I thought, "She has lost everyone.
I have lost everyone.
This is a good match."
It wasn't true.
You had a family.
So, now you need to make decisions for yourself.
You need to choose what you want.
What do you mean?
I mean, this is your life.
You choose.
It's so beautiful, isn't it?
It was your father's.
It's for Niizh?
Leo thought it'd be nice to have him wear it.
Yeah.
[Sniffles] [Sighs] Give her some time.
Oh, my girl.
[Sighs] [Woman singing in Indigenous language] -Morning.
-Mm-mm.
Sit.
Oh.
Thank you.
Mm-hmm.
Maggie: You're wearing the same black ribbon from yesterday.
Yeah.
It's a tradition.
Oh.
Golda: OK. We made these today.
Wow.
He's fast.
You must really like bannock, right?
Oh, my God.
It's so good.
Asin: Good morning, everyone.
We're here.
Golda: That's the one I made.
Yvonne: Morning.
Ah, Mom, I think you made this bannock.
Golda: Excuse me.
Very insulting.
Bezhig: Hi.
Good morning.
Hi, Mishoomi.
Asin: Hi, Maggie.
Good morning.
Where's, uh, where's Leo?
He went to go get Niizh.
Morning, Bezhig.
Oh!
One of these for me?
Mishoomi, why don't you have a seat?
I wish I could, but I have an errand to run, and I'd really like some help.
Come on.
Car's outside.
Brigit: Go on, then.
[Laughing] Just don't let him boss you around.
Asin: That errand ain't gonna run itself, Golda.
Bye, Mom.
Brigit: Where's your good coffee?
Mmm.
Let me get it for you.
[Woman singing in Indigenous language] [Car horn honking] [Singing continues] Golda: Beautiful out here.
Asin: We like it.
The sky is so big.
I feel like it's going to eat me.
[Birds chirping] I can see why she likes it so much here.
You should take those off.
It'll be easier.
Suit yourself.
[Clears throat] What we have here, Golda... is Buffalo Sage.
It's the most potent and sweetest smelling of the species.
It's good medicine.
Smell it.
This is for you.
You bag, I'll pick.
Your daughter seems to be handling this all pretty well.
I don't know what it's like to find family.
I'm sorry for your loss.
You lost your grandson.
Twice.
I live for Esther.
I can't imagine losing her.
I know loss.
I'm sorry.
You know, they gave me a number when I was a kid in Indian school.
I want to tell you something.
I think you did a really beautiful job with Esther.
You really did.
Hmm.
[Crickets chirping] So we're just going to fill up this bowl for the offerings.
Woman: I remember all the childhood heroes... Bezhig: Oh, I think I might've put too much in here.
That's OK. You can take some out.
Mm-hmm.
He's going to be here?
Brigit: Yeah.
Yeah, right here.
[Engine humming] I got him.
He's home.
Man: After you drive, you give... Would you like some cake?
No.
You have a big family.
Yes.
Wait until you meet the rest of them, Esther.
They're going to love you.
...And after you've gotten over... Bezhig, someone wants to see you.
Go, go, go.
...Take away the pain I can see it in your red eyes That you been hurt a lot... Bezhig: Dora.
Esther.
Hello.
Hi.
Thanks for coming.
Yvonne: Can I hold her?
Do you want to go meet your brother?
Dora: Yeah.
Bezhig: Thanks for coming.
-Let's go for a walk.
-OK. Brigit: She looks just like you when you were a baby.
She's like the best baby I ever met.
[Indistinct chatter] -Bezhig.
-Hi, Mishoomi.
Hey, my girl.
How're you doing?
What'd they call Niizh?
Henry?
Yeah, that's funny they called him that.
That was my uncle's name.
He was real haywire, too.
He was a scrappy little kid, always fighting all the time.
He didn't change one bit, either.
Look, I got proof.
[Laughter] Singers: Oh, I pray for you at night As I sing and hold you tight Pray that you will grow into A man to hold onto And no matter that's unknown... Man: Our work here is to prepare Niizh for his journey.
It is why we've gathered like this for 4 days.
We feast.
We offer tobacco and pray to Gitche Manitou, our ancestors and relatives who have passed on... for they will be the ones who will help guide Niizh through the doorway in the West so he can find his way.
But it's also for us here... to be together during this time of grieving.
Yes, it can be very lonely for us here yet it's very important to allow yourself to move through those feelings of grief and to lean on each other for support.
Singers: Hold on to your courage Hold on to your pride Hold on to the fire Burning deep inside Hold on to your kindness Fill your heart with light Hold on to the river Let it flow with might Oh, I pray that you will always... Man: We have gathered here today to welcome one of our sons home.
We are saddened when our relatives come back to us in this way... when their lives are no longer on this earth.
But our community is blessed for two of our daughters have found their way back.
Dora and Bezhig are home, and we embrace them.
Bezhig, Niizh, and Dora.
They were raised away from here and they've all come home.
Niizh, as a little boy, he loved music, and he grew to be a fine musician.
And he leaves us that legacy, so we can all enjoy forever through his songs.
What a gift that is.
My mind turns to all the children whose gifts we never got a chance to discover.
Not just for this loss that we are marking, but for all our loss and for all the children who have been taken away from us in so many ways.
When someone returns home to us, we are filled with hope.
We are hopeful for our return to culture, to our language.
Every return is meaningful.
Our son... our brother, our cousin, our grandson.
Our twin.
Niizh Little Bird is home now.
As he makes his journey to the spirit world, we can be grateful that he starts his journey here... where he was born.
We didn't get a chance to know Niizh as a young man, but his spirit can rest now.
[Sobbing softly] Not lost but found.
[Drum beating] [Singing in Indigenous language] [Bezhig and Golda praying in Hebrew] [Sobbing] [Women singing in Indigenous language] Golda: Esther.
Let me take a picture of you and your family.
OK. That would be nice.
Can we take a picture?
Leo, we're gonna take a picture.
Golda: Come, let's take a picture of the family.
Auntie!
Asin: Photo op.
Brigit: Come on.
So we take a good picture.
Asin: Come on, gang.
Leo: Get in.
Asin: Come!
Bring it in.
Asin: There we are.
OK. Smush.
[Bezhig laughs] Good.
1, 2, 3.
Man: Hold up, hold up.
Get in there.
Golda: No.
[Laughs] Asin: Come on, Golda.
Brigit: Come on, Golda.
Man: Get in there.
Man: All right, everybody.
Smile.
1, 2, 3.
All right.
Nice.
Bezhig: Thank you.
...When I'm home All alone Late at night And you're gone Thank you, Mom.
[Women singing in Indigenous language] [Laughter, indistinct chatter] [Fire crackling] Asin, is that Patti?
Holy shit.
It is.
Leo: What?
What the-- Yvonne: Patti?
[Exhales deeply] [Laughter] [Children playing]
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