Shelburne Falls film screening shines light on Indigenous displacement

Memorial Hall on Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls.

Memorial Hall on Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls. STAFF FILE PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

For the Recorder

Published: 06-14-2024 4:28 PM

SHELBURNE FALLS — “Powerlands,” a documentary film about Indigenous displacement and resistance, will be shown at Memorial Hall on Sunday, June 16, at 4 p.m. as a fundraiser for Indigenous nonprofits Native Land Conservancy and No Loose Braids.

Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the screening will be followed by a virtual question-and-answer session with Director/Producer Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso.

Suzanne Artemieff is organizing the event.

“I wanted the fundraiser to not just be a fundraiser, but to be educational,” Artemieff explained. “And to really start trying to get people to think about the history, the fact that we are living on unceded land, and to get people talking about reparations.”

Artemieff spoke to the timeliness of “Powerlands” and the importance of understanding Indigenous rights as not just a historical issue but one of present importance.

“Many people think it’s all a matter of the past, and it really isn’t,” she said. “One reason I thought this documentary would be a really good opportunity for both fundraising and education is because it talks about the present day. It talks about these extractive industries trying to force Indigenous peoples off their land and then really causing great harm to the environment. And yet, the film has a really positive message.”

Tickets can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com/event/6310771.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Whately cyclist struck by vehicle in Deerfield
Greenfield Police Logs: March 25 to April 6, 2025
Nearly $118K grant to fund shade tree plantings in downtown Greenfield
Reported cuts to Head Start program have Community Action worried about consequences
Catholic Charities loses funding for refugee programs, shifting focus under new leader
Greenfield native Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery, to throw out first pitch at Fenway Park on Friday