World’s first Haida-language film to be shown at Lakehead University Orillia

(Pictured) William Russ plays Kwa in Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown’s film Sgaawaay K’uuna-Edge of the Knife. Photo credit Niijang Xyaalas Productions. Copyright Isuma Distribution International.

November 28, 2018 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University Orillia is proud to announce a special screening of the Canadian feature film, Sgaawaay K’uuna (Edge of the Knife), on Monday, December 3 at 4 p.m.

Sgaawaay K’uuna – directed by Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown – is the first feature-length film to be shot completely in the Haida language.  Set in the mid-1800’s on the remote islands of Haida Gwaii, the film follows two families as they reunite at a seasonal fishing camp. Conflict erupts between Adiits’ii and his best friend Kwa after Adiits’ii’s recklessness results in a tragic accident. Adiits’ii seeks refuge in the wilderness, where he is mentally and physically pushed to the brink of survival and transforms into Gaagiixiid – the Haida Wildman. In spring, the families return to the fishing camp to find that Adiits’ii has survived the winter. They set out to capture him; and must discover whether they can drive out the supernatural power to restore Adiits’ii to humanity.  

Sgaawaay K’uuna will be followed by a question and answer session with actor William Russ (Kwa) and production manager Dana Moraes. The screening will take place at 4 p.m. in room 1033, at the Orillia campus.

Admission and parking is free.

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Media: For more information or to request an interview, contact Jaclyn Bucik, Marketing & Communications Associate, 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or jaclyn.bucik@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2019 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities and in 2018 Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the fourth consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.