“Kitsinooki” is a documentary film from the perspective of the Lethbridge and area Indigenous hip hop and music scene. The project was funded through grants from “Indigenous Storytellers 2.0,” which is a TELUS Storyhive grant and from Indigenous Screen Office.
Filmmaker, local hip hop artist, emerging digital artist and storyteller Jerry Jack says at the beginning of the project, nobody knew exactly what the film was going to be about. “You have a good idea of what you want to be your subject. Throughout the filming of it and the interviewing of people, you discover what the real story is and you hone in on that and chase it until you get the actual narrative thread.”
“It was about our perspective in the Indigenous music scene and we found out we are moving into mentor positions for a lot of the students we work with in Brocket and in Lethbridge. We saw a full circle take place in the making of the documentary. We realized, we went from being the kids that were seeking community to the adults who were creating community for the youth,” notes Jack.
Through filming the documentary, Jack stumbled into what is now a future career, “in multiple ways.”
Previously, Jack worked on-set on other productions, but the documentary was Jack’s first endeavour as lead creative. The TELUS Storyhive grant and other funding was a huge help for Jack. “In finding my voice as a filmmaker and artist.
While filming the documentary, Jack and crew visited Piikani Nation Secondary School in Brocket.
“It started out with a performance, where some other artists and I went out there and did a show for the school and we started a mentorship program, where we were working with students – while we were also producing the documentary,” Jack explains.
At the end of the process of filming the documentary, Jack adds, a performance was held for the students. “Where the students got to perform and other younger emerging Indigenous artists and other artists from our community came out and performed. We wanted to focus on the younger generation. It really came full circle to why we were doing it.”
During a recent screening of the film in Lethbridge, friends and family came out to support the project, including many of the strong Indigenous female role models in Jack’s life, “who helped me become the artist I am.”
They include Jack’s cousin Bonnie, who was a role model growing up and Jack’s artist mom Debbie and grandma Evelyn, who is also an artist and knowledge keeper.
Moving forward, Jack hopes to hold a few more screenings of the documentary, including in Brocket at the school and at the Movie Mill.
Jack’s best friend Javier Escuela was one of the performers at the screening and was a big part of the documentary. “He was one of the artists involved. He just received a grant from TELUS Storyhive for ‘TELUS Voices’ to do a 10-episode docuseries called ‘Silent Suffering.’ It’s on the opioid and mental health crisis in Alberta.”
Two other friends Jack has worked with also received grants to produce “Sound Bites,” a musical cooking show. “Where they collaborate with musicians, as well as local chefs and restaurants.”
Another member of the creative cohort produces a podcast entitled, “Queer in Alberta.”
As for new music from Jack and other artists in the Indigenous hip hop and music community, new releases are expected to drop in 2025.
Check out the documentary at TELUS Video on Demand or online through the TELUS Storyhive hub on YouTube.
