A film about land, water, and community on the Lake Superior north shore.
2014, 40 minutes
Conversations on the Lake (2014) is a documentary investigating politics of dwelling in rural Northwestern Ontario communities along the Lake Superior north shore. The film explores how the land, its waters, and its landscapes are valued by citizens who live and work in the region, expressing a sense of place unique to the area. With the landscape as a central character of the film, speakers from rural towns, environmental organizations, and First Nation communities give voice to diverse ecological and social themes affecting Lake Superior and its environs. Filmmaker Edie Steiner lived her early life the rural north and has produced several films and lens-based artworks in and about Northwestern Ontario. Versions: 28 minutes (broadcast/festivals), 44 minutes (educational). English dialogue.
Genres & Themes: Environment, Community, Landscape, Independent, Educational.
CREDITS:
Director & Producer: Edie Steiner
Cinematographer: Edie Steiner
Editors: Boyd Bonitzke, Ian Pearson, Edie Steiner
Assistant Editor: Chris Ho
Map design: Mary Traill
Original Music: Bonnie Couchie, Malcolm Lewis, Violence and the Sacred
SELECTED SCREENINGS:
2016 Voices From the Waters International Traveling Film Festival, Bangalore, India.
2016 Ozark Shorts Film Festival, Ozark Mountains regional festival, USA.
2014 Female Eye Film Festival, Toronto, Canada. Nominated for Best Documentary.
2014 Bay Street Film Festival, Thunder Bay, Canada.
Distribution: VTape, Toronto, Canada
Speakers and organizations represented in the film (in order of first appearance):
Evelyn Stone, Community Liaison, Michipicoten First Nation
Joan Sketon, Author, Thunder Bay
Bruce Staines, President, Quetico Explorations, Wawa
Ed Hedderson, Kiwissa Ski Club President, Manitouwadge
Ken Mills, Community Liaison, Michipicoten Bay
Bonnie Couchie, Research & Education, Pic River First Nation
David Crawford, Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan
Conor Mihell, Author, Sault Ste. Marie
Graham Saunders, Environment North
Gillan Richards, Save Our Algoma Region (SOAR)
David Tamblyn, Superior Outfitters, Rossport
Colleen Kenney, Education & Tourism, Rossport
Melinda Ray, Community Liaison, White River
Grant Goodwin, Research & Tourism, Manitouwadge
Raymond Goodchild, Community Liaison, Pays Plat First Nation
Ruth O’Gawa, President, Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy
Betty Jean Brill, Curator, Nipigon Historical Museum
Doug Gibbens, Photographer, Marathon
David Wells, Naturally Superior Adventures, Wawa
Joanie McGuffin, Author, Goulais River
Ted Schintz, Citizens for Responsible Industry in Northwestern Ontario
Mark Leschishin, President, Citizens Concerned for Michipicoten Bay (CCMB)
Brennain Lloyd, Northwatch Project Coordinator
Gail Isaacs, Manitouwadge Archival Historical Society