Spirit of Turtle Island is a Native creation myth that explains how woman was the first being to inhabit the earth and the rest of human life grew from her.
This video celebrates and reclaims the strength and power of Native women artists. Lenore Keeshig Tobias, a Native poet and writer, leads the viewer on a search for the revival of women's influence in Native communities. Her search takes her from the Woodland Indian Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario to testimonies from Evelyn Bomberry, a clothing designer from Six Nations Reserve and Sioux painter, Maxine Noel. A new spirit of Native women's culture emerges.
The tape incorporates performances from the Spirit of Turtle Island Festival. We hear the a capella music of Thunderbird Sisters, and see the concert performances of theatre duo The Sea Cow, filmmaker and performer Alanis Obomsawin, and songwriter Jane Peloquin.
Spirit Of Turtle Island is an ideal way of introducing audiences to the rich history and art of Native women and Native culture in general.