Synopsis

Thomas Snow, a Stoney Nakoda father searches his upbringing for wisdom on parenting his two youngest children in a colonial world. He finds himself caught between an unhealthy community on reserve suffering from generations of trauma and a technology-obsessed Western culture that is disconnected from the land. “How do you be healthy in a sick community?” Thomas asks. 

For answers, Thomas goes back to the Stoney Nakoda reserve to reconnect with family and Elders who helped him grow strong. What he finds is a childhood that encouraged him to range freely whether it was watching Saturday morning cartoons or going out on the land with his grandmother to hunt for moose. There was the constant presence of his community, land and his language as he was taken from one event to another. And then there were rites of passage and song to support him with each transition reminding him of what was important. 

It’s a different world today however. Thomas wants to bring traditional practices into their family life. But living far from the community which raised him, how will he parents his kids?

From Chris Hsiung, the Producer of Elder in the Making and Fox Chaser, comes Warrior Fathers. Chris Hsiung and Thomas Snow were commiserating about their role as parents of young toddlers over coffee when they mused about how there weren’t many positive films about fatherhood. Between diaper changes and epic meltdowns, they managed to squeeze in a film in honour of nurturing fathers everywhere.

To purchase an educational license or schedule a screening, contact info@hiddenstory.ca for more information.

Credits

Producer

Thomas Snow
Chris Hsiung

Directory of Photography

Gui Mo

Editor

Chris Hsiung

Audio Mixer

Dewi Wood