Indian Horse

Representation in Cinema

Indian Horse is the story of Saul Indian Horse, a young Canadian First Nations boy who survives the Canadian Indian residential school system in the 1970s to become a star hockey player. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Wagamese. Indian Horse stars Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, and Ajuawak Kapashesit who all portray Saul at different stages in his life. Stephen Campanelli is the director.

In our discussion, we listen to our feature guests, Ronald and Ronnie Garrow of the Akwesasne Mohawk Bear Clan, share their heart in talking about the film, reliving the trauma told to them by relatives and ancestors who were forced from their homes and put into residential schools in Canada, discussing the significance of humor and educating the public about Indigenous history.

Ronald Garrow is the Founder and Executive Director of The Indigenous Peoples Center in Rochester, NY, a nonprofit organization supporting and promoting awareness of the Indigenous people’s culture, primarily the Haudenosaunee Culture (known as Iroquois).

While creating and running The Indigenous Peoples center Ron serves on the Board of Directors for Kanatsiohareke, a Mohawk Community in Fonda, NY and works full time for NY State Department of Motor Vehicles. Ron grew up on the Akwesasne Indian Reservation of Upstate New York and currently lives in Rochester, NY near his Children and Grandchildren.

Ron has worked with many individuals and local entities through speaking engagements, interviews, and public events to bring positive change and celebrate the indigenous cultures that are present in the region. Ron enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and is a Mohawk language speaker.

Ronnie Garrow is a 2021 graduate of Irondequoit High School. Ronnie played football and earned all-county accolades and was the team’s co-most valuable player. He was recognized as an All Star for Lacrosse as well. Last year Ronnie was a featured panelist on “BIPOC Voices Be Heard!” – a virtual safe space for students of color to share their experiences with racism in their daily lives at school and in the community as hosted by the group, E.R.A.S.E- Eliminating Racism and Seeking Equity. Currently, Ronnie attends SUNY Morrisville and is majoring in applied psychology.

Host: Courtney Shouse

Co-Host: Jackie McGriff

The Representation in Cinema podcast is hosted by Our Voices Project. Our goal is to dismantle destructive stereotypes of minority groups perpetuated in the media by producing films centered on the multifaceted experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Our Voices Project is also a committed community partner, providing opportunities to affirm racial and cultural identities, empowering students as agents of social change, and contributing to an individual’s learning through cultivation of critical thinking. You can learn more about Our Voices Project at www.ourvoicesproject.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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This episode of Representation in Cinema was recorded at the Food About Town studio.

Song: "You are so money"

Written by: Matthew Wigton

Performed by: Falls