Leading Women

On the strip of land between a house and the street, parked cars, an all-terrain vehicle, a small trailer. Beyond are garbage and recycling containers, an access ramp leads to the house. People young and old are there, by the barbecue. A young girl makes a statement.

Fabienne

Hello! My name’s Fabienne. Welcome to my home! Today we're at my grandfather's house, and it's Father's Day. And I brought you here today to show you how much matriarch, well, reigns in my family. In my family, all the women are leaders. I have four aunts, and they occupy high places in their jobs. My Aunt Adrienne....

One of Fabienne’s cousins moves to her left, stops and dances.

Peggy, no! You’re [distracting] me!

Yes, my aunt Adrienne is the chief of....

Laughter.

She's the village chief, well, of the community, eh. So, you could say, women today hold much more importance in the community, because they have maintained their roles somewhat in Indigenous culture. Because, today, we certainly don’t live off hunting and fishing as much, which was a men's job.

Another cousin moves to her left, passes the camera, stops and, turning towards Fabienne :

Cousin

What are you talking about?

Fabienne

I'm talking to the camera, yeah. Look, I'm talking to the camera!

Cousin

Huh?

The young girl returns to Fabienne's side.

Fabienne

You want to say “hello”? Come on! Say “hello”! Look, there are like six cameras, so people.... Look, move around it! They can orient the camera.

Fabienne moves, with her cousin. They pass to the right of the camera.

And then, when they’ll watch, they’ll see me. They'll follow me.

Laughter. The young girl doubles back, goes around the camera and continues towards the house.

So, that's it! Well, can I continue here?

Okay, bye!

Cousin

Bye!

Laughter.

Fabienne

Okay, that's it. So, women have definitely kept their roles within the Indigenous culture, because they‘re the ones who take care of the children. And there will definitely always be children. So, that's it.

Peggy passes close to the camera and joins Fabienne, a dog and a newcomer.

So now, my mom's barbecuing. So, I'll go eat.

Fabienne heads towards the house.

Hey! Laurent! Is there any cheese left? Yes! I want it!