An Anglican Video production that tells the dramatic story of a residential school survivor will premiere at the IMAX Theatre in Winnipeg on April 5.
Topahdewin: The Gladys Cook Story is a multi-faceted production by Anglican Video senior producer Lisa Barry that relates the story of a remarkable woman’s life in the context of residential schools and how they affected the lives of children sent there.
Gladys Cook not only survived the school, where she was raped at the age of 9, but went on to rediscover a profound faith that acknowledges both Christian and native spirituality, and to carve a distinguished career as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor.
Her contributions to society have earned her a Governor General’s Award and a Canada 125 medal, among many other accolades.
The video is the culmination of a relationship between Ms Cook and Ms Barry that dates back to 1989. Ms Barry notes that the video is the product of many encounters over the years and that it also makes use of extensive archival footage.
The premiere of Topahdewin: The Gladys Cook Story at 7:30 p.m. April 5, is sponsored by Anglican Video, the Anglican diocese of Rupert’s Land and the local Indigenous Council.
Bishop Donald Phillips of Rupert’s Land will open the evening and the screening of the video will be followed by remarks from Archbishop Terry Finlay, special representative on residential schools for Anglican Primate Archbishop Andrew Hutchison.
The program was produced by the Anglican Church of Canada as part of an initiative to memorialize the experiences of residential schools survivors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT VIANNEY (SAM) CARRIERE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, 416 924 9199 EXT. 306,scarriere {at} national.anglican.ca OR LISA BARRY, SENIOR PRODUCER, ANGLICAN VIDEO, 416 924 9199 EXT. 295, lbarry {at} national.anglican.ca