CONTENT WARNING: Some may find the content of this story distressing.
A new documentary is looking to examine the overlap of the Sixties Scoop with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The film Everything is Connected is produced by the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Saskatchewan (SSISS).
The new documentary tells the story of five Sixties Scoop survivors – 4 women and 1 man – all of whom had someone close to them become either missing or murdered. The film points to the inter-generational trauma of colonialism, residential schools, and the Sixties Scoop as forces that connect all of these tragedies.
Betty Ann Adam is a Sixties Scoop survivor, is the chair for the SSISS, and is a producer of the film. She says many of the survivors of the Sixties Scoop had loved ones who are missing or were murdered.
“In fact, the national inquiry into MMIW also found that just being in the child welfare was one of the paths into those violent deaths,” Adam told MBC News while talking about the film.
Adam says one viewer of Everything is Connected described the film as a “difficult gift” and she feels that is an appropriate description.
“It is difficult to watch people talking about this truth,” said Adam. “And unfortunately the experiences of the people documented in the film are not isolated incidents.”
Adam hopes Everything is Connected can not only educate people on these issues but also give insight into the kinds of experiences that many people have gone through.
“When you hear about these traumas you will be amazed at how people have not only survived but have strived to have healthy lives,” she said. “Ultimately it’s hopeful.”
Going forward Betty Ann Adam and the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Saskatchewan are hoping to organize an event where the film can be viewed along with a panel discussion to further explore the contents of the documentary.
The film can be viewed in its entirety at everythingisconnected.ca.
(PHOTO: A screenshot of the film Everything is Connected)