In his trademark direct prose style, Cree journalist and filmmaker Doug Cuthand articulates the past, present, and future of Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal people.
Through his newspaper columns and features, as well as his internationally–known film and video work, Doug Cuthand has become a respected voice in the aboriginal community. In Askiwina: A Cree World, he offers fresh insights and straight talk over platitudes and dogma, providing readers with a bridge to understanding Aboriginal philosophy, history, culture, and society.
He explores the basics of Aboriginal spirituality – the four directions, the trickster Wesakechak, creation stories, coming–of–age rituals, the Sundance, and sacred places on the prairies. He describes Saskatchewan history form an Aboriginal point of view, a perspective from which familiar events like the Battle of Cutknife Hill, the siege of Battleford, and the establishment of Prince Albert look profoundly different. He delves into the worlds of past leaders and thinkers, such as Canon Edward Ahenakew, Anahareo, Poundmaker, and Sweetgrass, and into cultural and religious traditions like the powwow and the Ghost Dance.
He portrays the impact Aboriginal peoples have had on this province – including their critical role in the fur trade, place names of the province, settlement patterns, and even Canadian–American relations – and projects the impact they will have in its future. He also presents a seasoned observer’s view of economic and political issues facing Aboriginal peoples in Saskatchewan, including such topics as gaming, self–government, and land claims.
Doug Cuthand is an independent film producer, director, writer, and journalist whose career has spanned over 20 years. His work frequently has been recognized and honoured by the media industry.
Weekly columns in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader Post, and features in the Winnipeg Free Press have made Mr. Cuthand a respected voice for the aboriginal community. A collection of his newspaper writing was published in 2005 as Tapwe.
His film and videos have been featured by the National Film Board, and aired on CBC and numerous local and independent television stations. They have also won awards at the American Indian Film Festival, the Geminis, the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association awards and the Columbus International Film and Video Festival.
He was awarded the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) award in 2003 for best column.
