DƏNE YI’INJETL – The Scattering of Man is a documentary about the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and the lingering problems inflicted on the Tsay Keh Dene Nation as a result.
Following a screening of the film there was a Q&A with the director, Luke Gleeson, who is a member of the Tsay Keh Nation. A lot of well deserved praise was given as well as some discussion that furthered the impact of the film. At one point an Elder from the Nation spoke, he mentioned that he did not want reconciliation. He wanted action.
In an interview with the Prince George Citizen, Gleeson stated, “The resulting film is a story of strength, dignity, perseverance, and beauty as told by the survivors, witnesses and descendants of the Tsay Keh Dene people who were the unwilling participants in a wave of development that led to the creation of the largest hydroelectric project in the history of British Columbia.”
The movie’s trailer showcases some of the issues that they are facing today and have been facing since 1968. Footage was taken of the Nation in the 60’s and also more recently and a lot of the sentiment is the same. The pain of being displaced has not faded, rather it has transformed into a new type of pain.
Something that I was no aware of is that there are beaches covered in silica dust that travels with the slightest wind and devastates the air quality nearby has an irrigation system that requires maintenance. Performing such maintenance is a dangerous undertaking and requires full protective wear including a ventilator. This is in addition to places of cultural significance like graveyards, villages, and prime hunting/fishing spots being inaccessible due to the flooding.
It is amazing how little I knew about something that is so close to where I am currently living and even closer to where my sister lives. I plan to educate myself further and I hope to one day be able to share this film with my family and friends.