Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
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Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, also known as Máijá Tailfeathers, is a Blackfoot and Sami filmmaker from the Kainai First Nation. Her mother is from the Blood Reserve in Alberta, Canada and her father is Sami, from Northern Norway.[1] She divides her time between the Blood Reserve and Sami territory in Sweden.[2]
Her work has garnered attention for its focus on representations of women of colour, and her thematic focus on First Nations subjects and issues. Her film projects are usually fully staffed with indigenous cast and production members, reflecting her emphasis on engaging with First Nations and indigenous filmmakers. She was won and been nominated for awards at various international film festivals, and has been recognized for her activist work.
One of her primary focuses as a filmmaker is activism and social justice[3] and approaches film as a way to “use it as a form of nonviolent direct action against issues like violence against women and degradation of Indigenous land.”.[4] Her film and activist pursuits focus on issues that directly relate to and affect indigenous women and communities.
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers is active in advocating for issues affecting First Nations communities. In 2011, she was arrested for a participating in a peaceful blockade at the entrance of a drilling site in the Blood Reserve in Alberta.[5]
Career
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers studied acting at the Vancouver Film School, and graduated in 2006. She then moved on to the University of British Columbia where she would graduate with a degree in First Nations Studies and a minor in Women and Gender studies in 2011.[6]
After acting for a period of time, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers shifted her filmmaking focus onto behind the camera work. It was during her time at the University of British Columbia where she learned how to use film equipment, and editing software.[7]
Films
Bloodland
Bloodland (2011) is an experimental short film that offers a commentary on fracking practices in Canada and across the world. It can be found on YouTube, where it was made public in 2013 in solidarity with the Idle No More movement. The short film uses metaphoric imagery of a woman being held down and drilled into as a comment on the current fracking practices in Canada. This project was funded by the Blood Tribe Chief and Council through a distribution cheque, and as a result was indirectly funded by the proceeds of various gas and oil companies, as well as KRI Resources.[8] The film was well received at its premier in Lethbridge, and was the subject of a greater national debate regarding the practice of fracking in Indigenous lands.
Official selection of:
- Vancouver International Film Festival 2011
- ImagineNATIVE Film Festival 2011
- American Indian Film Festival 2011
- L.A. Skins Festival 2011
- Tulsa International Film Festival 2011
- Yellowknife International Film Festival 2011
- Riddu Riđđu International Indigenous Peoples Festival 2011 (Norway)
- Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival 2011
- Skábmagovvat Film Festival 2012 (Finland)
- Vancouver Women in Film Festival 2012
A Red Girl's Reasoning
A Red Girl's Reasoning (2012) is a short film that was created in response to the growing numbers of murdered and missing indigenous women in Canada. This film centres around a survivor of sexual assault and her quest to bring justice to the attackers of her fellow women. While originally a short film, it is currently in the process of expanding into a feature film. This film was the winner of the 2012 Vancouver Crazy8s Competition, where filmmakers were challenged to create a film in under eight days.[9]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Length | Location | Genre | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bloodland | Writer, Director, Producer | 4 min | Canada | Experimental | Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers |
| 2012 | A Red Girl's Reasoning | Writer, Director | 10 min | Canada | Drama | The Crazy8s Film Society |
| 2012 | Colonial Gaze Sámi Artists’ Collective | Co-writer, Co-director | 15 min | Norway | Mockumentary | KOLT Márkomeannu |
| 2013 | Hurry Up, You Stupid Cripple | Producer, Co-director | 10 min | Canada | Documentary | Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers |
| 2014 | Bihttoš | Writer, Director, Co-producer | 14 min | Canada/Norway | Documentary | Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers |
Notes
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