Stseptékwles re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival

Bobbi Sasakamoose is a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and is also Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc and Syilx. Born and raised in Kamloops, BC, Bobbi continues to live in the area with her husband and two children. Bobbi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology with Thompson Rivers University and is currently enrolled in a Post-Baccalaureate diploma program specializing in Human Resource Management. Bobbi has been employed by Q’wemtsín Health Society for thirteen years and currently works as the Society’s Human Resources Manager. As a descendent of an Indian Residential School Survivor she has focused her career on advocating for the health and wellness of Indigenous people. Bobbi is in her second year participating in the Stseptékwles Re Sk’elép planning Committee and she is very excited for the opportunity! Especially because much of her childhood weekends were spent at the Paramount Theatre. Growing up with a love for film Bobbi has a soft spot for any Disney movie, but if asked to pick a favorite film would choose the documentary Life in a Day (2010).

Grandchild of Joe and Anna Michel and Les and Lucy Williams. She is a Thompson Rivers University alumni, with a Bachelor of Arts, with a Major in Theatre and a Minor in Sociology. Her personal work in the community is focused around community-engaged arts, including currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Kamloops Film Society and a former Board Member of the Kamloops Arts Council. Her most recent work When Did I Lose You? a piece about Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and girls was originally broadcast as part of Western Canada Theatre’s -A Broad’s way Cabaret – for International Women’s Day. Echoes of the Homesick Heart, her full length Multigenerational Language Verbatim Theatre project premiered with Western Canada Theatre in 2022. This was achieved as a community effort with Western Canada Theatre, TRU CURA ( Thompson Rivers University – Community University Research Alliance), Canada Council for the Arts, and First Peoples Cultural Council.

Not so long ago. . . In the mysterious land. . . of Vancouver, Canada. . . Jason was watching Star Wars at the drive-in. Jason is Nlaka’pamux and a member of Lower Nicola Indian Band. Spectacles of the Silver Screen can be exhilarating, breathtaking, hypnotic and above all else a magical journey. Which is why Jace feels that Film is a marvelous vehicle for storytelling.

Some of his favourite thespians: Gary Farmer, Sam Rockwell, Gillian Anderson, Tantoo Cardinal, Cliff Curtis, Michael Pena, etc. Actors breathe life into a script, they bring a Je Ne Sais Quoi to the words that are written on the page in such a moving, haunting, humorous, and riveting way. A couple of Jason’s favourite movie lines “If what I think is happening, is happening, it better not be” (Fantastic Mr. Fox-Meryl Streep). “The only thing more pathetic than Indians on TV is Indians watching Indians on TV.” (Smoke Signals-Thomas Builds the Fire). Jace is excited to be a part of the 3rd Annual Indigenous Film Festival as it showcases the amazing talents of Indigenous storytellers from across Turtle Island. Bon Appetit, My Pretties!