Synopsis
Richard Cardinal died by his own hand at the age of 17, having spent most of his life in a string of foster homes and shelters across Alberta. In this short documentary, Abenaki director Alanis Obomsawin weaves excerpts from Richard’s diary into a powerful tribute to his short life. Released in 1984—decades before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission—the film exposed the systemic neglect and mistreatment of Indigenous children in Canada’s child welfare system.
A word from Tënk
There are some films that haunt and never leave. Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child is one of them. It starts with his words, words he wrote in his journals as he tried to make sense and meaning of being a foster child within the so called child protection agencies that have let so many of our children experience the most horrific lives. Alanis Obomsawin couldn’t look away from this tragedy. She was in Alberta making another film when the newspapers posted the story of this young man taking his own life after years and years of despair, abuse, neglect and so little love. Alanis managed to pivot and say this young man deserves to have his words heard and his story told. So she made this film.
This film is like a prayer for Richard Cardinal’s healing. A form of ceremony to bring some comfort and love. Yes, an act of radical love. And in making this film, Alanis even extends compassion for the foster parents who tried. But she is fierce in her commendation of a system, a society that would let this happen. In making the film, it also brought attention to the terrible conditions Indigenous children and youth experience while “in care”. Even being part of bringing change to that system. Sadly these stories continue today as changes become forgotten. We need more acts of radical love. And we need to make a world where children can have good lives. It is their birthright. Alanis understands this and lives it in her bones, her soul, her vision and in all her films.
Ms. Obonsawin is a filmmaker with an open heart. She expertly weaves Richard's words with lyrical images of an Indigenous youth who could've been Richard, if he had a chance. He is surrounded by gentle images of the land. We hear his words read by an Indigenous young person in soft tones that capture the tenderness of Richard's words from his journal. He had every reason to have hate and anger but instead he wanted to give hope to others, lost foster children. She also uses her documentary expertise to reveal the truth of a system that lets this happen too many times (before, then and still today). Alanis carries this weight, this responsibility of never letting us forget Richard Cardinal. Please watch this film with an open heart. We all have a responsibility to the children and youth beyond our families even, so that they can have that good life. This is documentary filmmaking at its most haunting and most fearless.
Loretta Sarah Todd
Filmmaker and writer
