Promising Practices Documentaries

These documentaries are part of an award-winning series of three stand-alone films, called Promising Practices. These films highlight how Indigenous communities in Canada are utilizing harm reduction with cultural practices and evidence-based methods enhance health outcomes.

Promising Practices in Eskasoni

Promising Practices In Eskasoni First Nation, was filmed on location in Nova Scotia. It focuses on a community that is addressing HIV and Hepatitis C; utilizing harm reduction, and by using cultural practices along with other evidence-based methods.

The film also includes topics of high suicide rates, drug addiction and other health issues that drive high rates of HIV and Hepatitis C. The narrative is told through interviews with community leaders, health care professionals and those with lived experiences. Recognizing a need for change, this community started by examining their policies and methods.

Facing challenges such as resistance, stigma and discrimination, they began designing innovative ways to create change, integrating cultural practices and ceremony into healthcare with a holistic approach.

A nurse who struggled through the growing pains of introducing the innovative programs, talks about the difference she has witnessed since the new strategies were implemented.

Two mothers, one tells of taking back her life after tragedy and drugs. How she accessed the resources available, got help and got her family back on track. The other explains how she survived several deaths in her family. Now with the support of her cultural and the community, she has made incredible positive changes in her life.

A man who overcame extreme challenges, shares his journey and experience of embracing his heritage allowing him to help others.

Since harm reduction was implemented in their community, elders and leaders explain how it has made a difference.

The story of this community on it’s healing journey is a roadmap for others to follow. The first film in this series, was nominated for best short documentary the at the LA Skins Fest, where it was screened at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and the World AIDS Conference in Durban South Africa.

The first two films won the Award of Merit from Impact Docs.

An Elder in Quebec stated that she used the words from one of the film’s theme songs, as a prayer a couple times at public events where she was asked to speak.

All three films have met rave reviews and been picked up by press globally.

Promising Practices in Timiskaming First Nation