A special screening of the award-winning film, Moose River Crossing, by Brock University Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo will take place on campus Friday, March 22.

Cheechoo, who was appointed to a second term in her role with the University last June, will begin the evening by reading a passage from her play about residential schools, and will follow the film screening with a question-and-answer session with the audience. Drummers from the Niagara Women’s Drum Group will also perform.

Moose River Crossing examines the residential school system through the eyes of six fictional former students who meet at a train station to head to a reunion. They flash back to the troubling times they experienced at the residential school and aim to answer the question of whether or not time heals all wounds.

Cheechoo wrote the movie based on her own experience growing up in residential schools.

The event starts at 6 p.m. in Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, with the question-and-answer session and drum performances following at 9 p.m.

Cheechoo is an award-winning Cree actress, writer, producer, director and visual artist. She has been Brock Chancellor since July 2015, and was recently awarded the Order of Canada.

She is also the founder and executive director at Weengushk Film Institute, a not-for-profit film and television training centre on Manitoulin Island that helps Indigenous and at-risk youth develop career skills or return to school.

The event, which is open to the public, is hosted by Brock’s Student Justice Centre in partnership with the University’s Office of Human Rights and Equity.

Admission is free and no advance tickets are required.

Free parking is available in Zones 1 and 2 beginning at 6 p.m.