Private Project

Our Own Spirits Regained

A group of multination Indigenous Elders from across Canada, along with community members, come together to find healing from past traumas.

  • Sandy Hoekstra
    Director
    Three Tales of Sketch, Sketchy Beavers, Presage, Hotbox
  • Dr. Reg Crowshoe
    Key Cast
  • Karli Crowshoe
    Key Cast
  • Darryl Brass Jr.
    Key Cast
  • Sandy Hoekstra
    Producer
    Three Tales of Sketch, By My Side, Presage, Cornered, The Measure of a Moment
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 21, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sandy Hoekstra

Sandy Hoekstra is an independent filmmaker who spends her time between Kelowna, BC and Calgary, AB, Canada. She is a Masterclass Program graduate of the Company of Rogues Actors' Studio and a recent graduate of the Professional Filmmaking Program at the Centre for Arts and Technology. She enjoys working on various types of film projects, including documentaries, sketch comedy, horror, and music videos. When she is not directing, producing, or acting, camera operating is her favorite role to fill on set.

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Director Statement

From August 22-25, 2022, a respected group of Indigenous Elders from across Canada gathered at Camp Adventure Site at Sibbald Lake in Alberta, Canada. Through the help of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA), Elders, and members of their community came together in search of healing.

Me and a small film crew were invited to take part in ceremony, film interviews, and minor segments of b-roll footage. Out of respect for Indigenous practices, sacred ceremonies are not filmed.

My personal connection to the Indigenous community is through my Métis husband. We were introduced to the Aboriginal Friendship Centre community in Calgary, AB by a friend. Both of us were invited to sit in on cultural teachings led by Elders Linda and Darryl Brass Sr. We were honored to be a part of ceremony and receive Indigenous names. My hope is that this documentary amplifies Indigenous voices and inspires hope for those in search of peace and healing in their own lives to reach out within their own communities.

Indigenous communities suffer under the weight of generational trauma, and for all these nations, healing is a necessity for a community to flourish. As more and more Indigenous seek healing, North American perception of Indigenous culture will shift as the community grows towards a healthier future.