Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock

Gr 9 Up—This compelling documentary reveals the protests at Standing Rock through the lenses of Indigenous filmmakers. Each of the three sections could be shown separately to illustrate individual perspectives. Taken together, the pieces provide a nuanced, complex portrait of contemporary Indigenous activism. Part 1, "Awake," blends a voice-over by Native activist Floris White Bull with images of environmental destruction and interviews with young protestors. In "Backwater Bridge," the camera focuses on footage of daily life at Standing Rock. "Standing Rock Through Indigenous Eyes" highlights the work of Myron Dewey and his team from Digital Smoke Signals as they attempt to expose law enforcement suppression of information and constitutional rights. Throughout, there is an awareness of the camera's presence and the power of media in capturing and broadcasting the protests. The filmmakers emphasize the leadership of young people in beginning the water protector movement with nonviolent tactics even in the face of violence and intimidation. A final coda connects the Standing Rock occupation to the greater international struggle to protect the environment and Indigenous sovereignty, highlighting how the movement has spread. (The film includes occasional expletives and some images of blood and physical violence against protesters.)