“Sugarcane”

The shocking true story of the legacy of abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school near the Sugarcane Reserve makes for a riveting (and equally horrifying) subject for “Sugarcane,” a powerful documentary from directors Emily Kassie and Julian Brave NoiseCat. Using an investigative journalism style, the film exposes a history that is shocking, heartbreaking, enraging, and encourages activism for those in the affected community and beyond.

The residential school system is one that has been traumatic for so many Indigenous communities and their families. There are long-buried secrets that many have been determined to expose for years, including common tactics of forced separation from families, near obliteration of Native language and culture, and the worst of all: physical and even sexual abuse.

With a critical yet empathetic hand, Kassie and NoiseCat dive into the unfortunate history while also celebrating the strength of the people who have survived the abuse or are fighting for justice for their own friends and family.

Much of the film takes a look at the present day and the arduous healing process many are going through. Since this is not an enjoyable documentary to watch, it does feel too long, and hearing these stories is painful. The emotional toll it takes on viewers is real, and “Sugarcane” is an eye-opener to the treatment of Indigenous people that’s rarely discussed.

By: Louisa Moore