For Love documentary leaves viewers with a Message of Hope

The Indigenous Child and Family Service Directors congratulate our Chair Mary Teegee on the premiere of her new feature length documentary For Love to mark the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

For Love interrogates the residential school to child welfare pipeline and the experiences of Indigenous children in care with nuance and empathy. Unlike other films about Indigenous child welfare, For Love spotlights First Nations strength, culture, and resilience– ultimately leaving the viewer with a message of hope.

“We called the film For Love because as First Nations, everything we do is for the love of the children and survival of our Nations,” said Mary Teegee. “In this film we meet the survivors of residential schools and their descendants and come to understand how the sickness of colonialism continues to underpin the child welfare industry. We also meet the brave children and caregivers who are disrupting the cycle and reclaiming their power.”

Tomorrow night’s premiere at the Vancouver Convention Centre will be witnessed by First Nations leaders, children in care, care givers and frontline service providers.

“This film is a love letter to Indigenous children and youth and the families and caregivers who raise them,” said Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the Child & Family Caring Society of Canada. “It curates and presents the wisdom and teachings of First Nations from across Canada as a forceful argument for change.”

For Love is written and produced by Mary Teegee and Matt Smiley, narrated by Shania Twain and executive produced by Cindy Blackstock and Warner Adam. Matt Smiley directs. The film was made possible through contributions from Indigenous Services Canada.

Watch: For Love Trailer

Read Variety Magazine: Shania Twain Narrates Canadian Indigenous Children Documentary ‘For Love’