Little Bird (2023): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript
[birds tweeting]
[gentle splashing]
[gentle splashing]
♪ [man] You can't just
keep taking off, Patty. ♪
[Patty]
They're out there somewhere
wondering why
I don't come get them.
[man] You're not going
to find them.
You're never finding them.
[Patty]
This is [unclear].
[man] You need to get it
together, take him back home.
There's nothing for me there.
There's nothing left.
[footsteps]
[door slams]
[twacking]
[wind whispering]
[footsteps]
[twacking]
[bird calling]
[slow footsteps]
[tapping]
[door squeaks]
[slow intense music]
[door squeaks then slams]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[indistinct ethereal voices]
[mysterious humming]
♪♪♪
[thud]
[slow footsteps]
[rustling]
[match rasps]
[match rasps]
[flames crackling]
[thunder crashes]
[percussive music with chanting]
♪ Hey,
Little Bird ♪
♪ I remember you ♪
♪ You with your dreams ♪
♪ Up higher
than you could fly ♪
♪ Hey, I remember you ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Lost
in the summer sun ♪
♪ Those were the days when
your feathers were new ♪
♪ And I remember you ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Now it's all coming back ♪
♪ The whole world
is your habitat ♪
♪ But more than that ♪
♪ If we meet again,
will you know me? ♪
♪ So, Little Bird ♪
♪ Flash your colours
and I will see ♪
♪ Glide into time ♪
♪ With the moon on your wing,
Little Bird ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Like a plow
on the sea ♪
♪ Your resting place ♪
♪ Could be heaven ♪
♪ Or countless oceans
far from me ♪
[music tempo slows]
[car engine humming]
[radio plays light pop music:
lyrics indistinct]
♪♪♪
♪ And the light
from the sky ♪
♪ They fade from memory ♪
♪♪♪
[engine humming]
[engine stops]
[rustling]
♪ They got no place to hide ♪
[music stops]
[birds singing]
[vehicle engine approaching]
[man]
Are you lost?
I am, yes.
Where you're trying to go?
Don't actually know.
So what are you doing here then?
I think I might be from here.
I had siblings.
We were adopted.
My name is Bezhig.
Bezhig?
Ah, okay, I'll turn around.
Follow me until you see
the house with the school bus.
It's just past there.
Okay.
[percussive Indigenous music]
[singing in Indigenous language]
♪ Up in the morning sky ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Soaring with the eagles
so high ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Down low, hand in hand ♪
♪ We will meet ♪
[engine stops]
[seatbelt clicks]
Hi.
Hi.
Nice car.
Thanks.
Are your mom and dad here?
Yeah.
She's the best.
[loud honking]
Oh, I don't think
you should be doing that.
[honking]
[children giggle]
[man]
Can I help you?
[children chatter in background]
You lost?
I'm not really sure.
I think I have family here.
Oh well, where you from?
Montreal.
I was told
to come down this road.
My name's Bezhig.
You're...
I... I'm... I'm Leo.
I'm your, uh...
I'm your...
I'm your brother.
Really?
Oh, my...
You're all grown up.
Yeah.
Um, sorry,
do you want to come inside?
Yeah, let's go.
Let's go inside.
[horn honks]
Should, should I
be worried about that?
No, no.
They're fine.
Hey, don't drive off now.
[door clatters shut]
[jaunty music
plays in background]
You want a coffee
or something to drink or...
Sure.
[dishes clattering]
[spoon tapping]
[girl]
Me first!
No shoes, shoes, shoes,
shoes, shoes, shoes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Did you have fun?
[Leo laughs softly]
Hello.
Let's play.
Hello little girl.
Look at my doll.
Wow, she's beautiful.
What's her name?
Nikki, same as me.
What's your name?
My name is Bezhig.
[Nikki laughs]
That means "one".
[Bezhig laughs]
This is your auntie.
That's our auntie.
Auntie look.
[laughter]
Show your muscles.
Show your muscles!
Mommy's home.
Wow.
Who's this?
This is...
Mommy, that's our auntie.
we have a new auntie.
This is Bezhig.
What?
Hi.
Oh, my God.
Do you assume Bezhig now?
I'm still figuring out
if this is really happening.
Oh, my gosh.
Welcome home, Bezhig.
Kids help me.
Come help.
[children giggle]
Would you like to go outside?
How long have you been here?
Me?
All my life.
I... I grew up here.
You weren't adopted?
No.
[unclear]
My grandfather,
he, he raised me.
Why?
Why?
Why what?
What happened to our parents?
[unclear]
And the shelter went down here.
It... it fucked everything up.
This was given to my parents
when I was adopted.
"Neglect".
This is not true.
This is this is lies.
This is...
No, it's from
Child Protective Services.
This is lies.
This is what you fucking think?
Look, I... I...
We didn't live
in fucking poverty.
You weren't neglected.
All right, they just took you.
That's what they do, all right?
They... they... they...
They're fucking liars.
Go, go read it.
Hey.
[sniffs]
Can you tell me
the truth of what happened?
Your mom and dad loved you.
And your dad?
He died.
[crying]
And your mom
tried to get you back.
And when she couldn't,
she went into Regina
over and over again.
And walked around
the city looking for you.
Then she fucked off
and no one saw her since.
Your mom loved you.
But you lived on the rez.
Everybody was poor.
We weren't poor.
We had everything we needed.
I... I was ten.
I remember I was there.
What do you remember?
Not much.
The orphanage.
[Leo]
That wasn't an orphanage.
No.
It was an intake centre
where they kept kids
after they took 'em.
You want to meet
some more family?
[crying]
[woman]
Hey, baby.
[Leo]
This is your [unclear].
Your grandfather,
and this is your Auntie Bridget.
[quivering breaths]
Look at you.
Look at you.
Oh, my god.
It's so good to see, my girl.
[chattering and laughing]
[Grandfather]
Thought we were gonna cook you
a real traditional feast, huh?
Hey.
[girl]
It's the chicken man.
Yeah.
Eat up.
[clears throat]
[TV blares in background]
Oh my God, this is so good.
Ah.
This makes me so happy.
Yeah, me too.
Are you engaged?
Shit.
Doctors say shitty poop.
Holy smokes.
Wow!
Is that a fake ring?
I'm still waiting for my ring.
It's only been 10 years.
[Bridget]
I hear you.
Good luck.
[Nikki] Auntie,
can I come to your wedding?
Yeah.
Of course, you can.
[Leo] Me too?
What's he like?
David?
I've known him
for a very long time.
He goes to my synagogue.
I love him very much.
So your family in Montreal,
they're pretty good to you?
Yeah, they were.
They were very loving.
You know, my shoe guy is Jewish.
[Bridget]
Which shoe guy?
You know the guy in Albert,
he fixes my soles.
Um, Harold.
Yeah!
Beristain Bernstein.
He's a good man, I think.
He can fix that sole,
but he can't fix that stink,
whatever it is.
[Grandfather] That is your
breath. That is not my boot.
[conversation din and laughter]
Can you open all windows?
Fine.
[radio static]
[radio announcer]
Aboriginal Radio Network.
You are listening to Missinipi
Broadcasting Corporation
at 91.3 FM
in Regina, Saskatchewan.
We're here.
Look, there's Patty and Morris.
It's your mom and dad
on their wedding day.
It's just so beautiful.
You can have it.
That's my mom?
Do you know where she is?
[Leo] Told you already,
she fucked off.
Some people just don't
want to be found, Bezhig.
Look.
Is that me?
Yes.
Leo, is this you?
No, that's Niche.
You two were always together.
Even though
you're just right bossy.
That's true.
You're never far apart.
You were even born
holding onto one another.
We're twins.
[Leo] Yeah.
[Leo] Your, uh,
your head came out first,
so they called you Bezhig.
Niche means "number two".
There were, what,
27 kids taken from here?
Thousands from this region.
I would go to those meetings
in the Fort.
So many women speaking up,
and some of them
were even lawyers.
Me, I do it for Patty.
Losing her kids broke her.
[Leo] They're still doing it.
They're still taking kids.
So I keep my head down,
you know, stay quiet.
Don't want them
snooping around here.
[woman] I heard people
are calling band offices,
trying to find their families.
People are starting
to come home.
[Leo]
I hoped you would.
Prayed for you.
Went to ceremony.
[Beatrice]
We all did, my girl.
Glad you're home.
[distant distorted voices]
[distorted giggling of a child]
[Nikki laughs]
Good morning.
Oh, my God.
I can't believe I fell asleep.
I'm so sorry.
Anytime.
Hey, you can use my face stuff.
It's on the second shelf.
Thank you.
I can't believe
it's only been two days.
It feels like...
Like home?
Yeah.
That's because it is.
[dog barking]
I didn't want to tell you
because it didn't go well,
but I found our sister Dora
a few days ago.
Wow.
Just... give it
some time then.
Sweet grass.
It's, uh, it's for protection.
You burn it.
It sends your prayers
to the Creator.
Thank you for everything.
[engine revs]
[PA announcer]
The pre-board are announced
for flight 322 to Montreal.
Please have
your boarding passes ready.
[mellow string music]
[singing in other language]
Mom?
♪♪♪
[singing in other language]
Mom?
[singing in other language
continues]
Mom?
[music fades]
Are you planning
on staying for dinner?
Yes.
Mom.
I'm sorry I left like that.
Now you're back.
I have that meeting with
David and the rabbi tomorrow.
Good reason to come home.
[knocking]
Come in.
[muffled speech]
[panting and moaning]
Look really smart.
[panting and moaning]
[child screams]
How was Regina?
There's a lot.
What do you mean a lot?
Come here.
Right away.
What do you mean a lot?
Wait a second.
What?
I don't know what's going on.
What's happening?
Nothing.
And when I came back,
my mom's pissed at me.
Nothing's happened?
You're leaving
just a little bit out,
don't you think?
I'm just trying to figure out
what you're thinking.
What's your plan?
I don't have a plan.
Just got back.
Oh, so the rabbi
should be arriving any minute.
Wow, why is everyone
making such a fuss?
Okay.
Oh.
I just polished these today.
So.
I understand that you weren't
very happy with me
because of things
that you overheard
when I was having
a private conversation.
It was an unfortunate situation.
I am sorry if you felt upset.
But we both love David,
and I am sure that we want
to put this behind us.
Yes. Of course.
Thank you.
Good, good, good.
Are you hungry?
There's so much food.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
Here are some questions I like
engaged couples to consider.
Can you be truthful
with the other?
Do you feel seen
for who you really are
by the other?
What happens when you fight?
Are you able to find your way
out of the fight with the other?
How will you balance
the differences?
On a more practical note...
[distant distorted voices]
...on how you want
to live your lives.
Do you plan to keep
a kosher home?
Do you do you plan
to have children?
Hmm?
We talked about two.
Two seems good.
Esther?
Yeah, we did.
I think you both
will have considered
that Esther will face challenges
in this community as a convert,
even though you converted
very young, Esther.
Marriage isn't easy,
even in normal circumstances.
Do you both feel prepared
to meet those challenges?
[singing in other language]
[man] How was your meeting
with the rabbi?
It was good.
I think it was good.
Good, good.
Esther?
Yeah, it was good.
[woman] Tammy and Jason,
how was the last ultrasound?
[Tammy]
There is a baby in there.
[man] Let me ask you this.
Have you applied for med school
yet for that baby?
Law school.
Stop it.
Don't even listen.
So, Esther, you're going
to be articling soon.
Hmm-mmm.
You'll probably have all the top
law firms coming after you,
and they're doing affirmative
action stuff these days.
[David]
She's top of her class.
Of course
you'll have the best offers.
[mother] We all know
she's very bright.
- [David] That she is.
- That's what I'm saying.
But we have two African-Canadian
hires at our firm,
so I guess
we'll see how they do.
Jesus, Jason, they'll do fine.
[Jason]
It's amazing though, isn't it?
Whatever happened to, you know,
merit, earning your way in?
Well, you're still at your
father's firm, right, Jason?
What is that supposed to mean?
She means shut up.
I'm just saying.
Excuse me a minute.
Soup's good.
Good.
There's lots more of it.
[Jason] I hope
I didn't offend her.
[distant chattering]
[man]
She's seems very outspoken.
Passion.
I call it passion.
[deep calming breaths]
Here, Tammy,
have some more salad.
Here you go, sweetheart.
So, Esther, will you be
going into Aboriginal law?
I'm still deciding,
but corporate law most likely.
Ohhh, like your father.
You could do so much
for the aboriginals
with your good Jewish upbringing
and a lodge mom.
Mom, we agreed.
No, I'm saying that
she's one of the good ones.
And when I say that you're
one of the good ones, I mean it.
You are very bright
and your people
would be lucky to have you.
[sister] Jesus,
Mom, take a day off.
That's a compliment.
[man] Okay, everybody,
your mother made a nice dinner,
and she has apologized
to Esther.
I'm going to put that
on the table right now.
Apology has been made.
I don't understand.
I don't know what more
she wants.
I haven't even brought up
the fact that
she walked out of
her own engagement party.
I didn't feel welcome.
[David]
You were rude to her.
Okay, now you're being
very hard on your mother.
Wait, you think
I was being rude?
I was having
a personal conversation
where I was airing
my private doubts
and she was listening in
on them.
[David] You said
you weren't gonna do this.
Do you know how much
we spend on that party?
I'm the only one
who has apologized.
[thunder rumbling]
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
She's like that.
I'm sorry.
[thunder rumbling]
There's a reason
your mom tries so hard
to let me know
that I don't fit in.
That's that.
Hey, of course you fit in.
It's because I don't.
Of course, you fit in.
Hey.
Hey.
I love you.
Hey.
I'm just wondering
if that's going to be enough.
[sighs]
It's enough.
[thunder rumbling]
But I don't think you know
how awful that was
for me in there.
I'm sorry.
[sniffs]
And I have a brother.
And a grandfather.
And nieces
and nephews and cousins
and they all look like me.
And I've never had that before.
I didn't want to come home.
I feel like if I try
to explain that to you,
you're not gonna understand.
You don't think I'll understand?
Ester, I've known you
since you were seven. Hey.
[sobbing]
David, I can't.
You can't what?
You can't what?
I mean, Jesus Christ,
I can come and meet your family.
I can...
come with you to Regina.
I can see what
you're talking about.
I can...
I can do all the things.
[crying]
I'm sorry.
I want to.
[sobbing]
[door slams]
[slow stomping]
How's David?
Do you remember
on my 16th birthday?
I went into your office
just before my party
and you had all that stuff
lying out on your desk.
Photographs
of me.
In one of them,
I was five-years old,
and I was in an ad
in the newspaper.
And in the ad, it said
that my name was Bezhig.
And I realized then
that you changed my name.
Of course we changed your name.
They told us to change
the name to a Jewish name.
And then after the party,
I asked you
who my real family was.
I knew I wasn't
allowed to talk about it.
I knew you'd be angry.
You were so angry, you said,
"Do you think a child
ends up in a newspaper
because her family
loves her?"
And I didn't ask about it again.
That's how it's been between us.
For years.
I don't ask questions.
I don't talk about how much
I want to find them.
That's my mother
and that's my father.
You were wrong.
They wanted me.
No, that's not...
It's what I found out.
You were not taken care of.
This is what they told us,
"Save these children.
They need good homes.
It's a mitzvah."
You're not listening to me.
That's my father
and that's my mother.
And they loved me.
No.
I was removed
because the government
was taking Indian kids.
We had paper
saying "unfit mother".
You don't think
governments have lied before?
No, this is not true.
It is true.
You can't just stick
a new name on a person
and pretend
that nothing's happened.
And you can't take
a 5-year-old child
away from their family
and think that
they're just gonna forget.
You should know.
Have you forgotten?
Your family.
That you lost.
Have you forgotten your sister?
I don't think so,
because you named me after her.
It was the right thing to do.
You're not listening to me.
Listen to me.
No.
You picked me out of an ad.
Because that is how it was done!
You let them take me away
from my brothers and my sister.
It was the right thing to do.
It was wrong!
It was criminal, Mom.
You're a criminal.
Ester.
[bang then smashing]
Esther, don't leave.
[melodic music]
[flames roaring]
♪ I've seen
the lines upon your hands ♪
♪ And the fountains
from where ♪
♪ You draw your you ♪
♪ I was
a young man ♪
♪ Searching for something
to believe ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Then you took me
in your arms ♪
♪ It didn't matter
if I did not have a home ♪
♪ I was just trying
to find ♪
♪ Shelter from the cold ♪
♪ Then you looked at me
and said ♪
♪ "My boy, you've seen
far, far too much hate" ♪
♪ And the winter snow ♪
♪ That's blowing
outside your door ♪
♪ Is only a dream ♪
♪ Now your slumber's
at an end ♪
♪ Its spring breeze
will now blow across ♪
[gentle splashing]
[gentle splashing]
♪ [man] You can't just
keep taking off, Patty. ♪
[Patty]
They're out there somewhere
wondering why
I don't come get them.
[man] You're not going
to find them.
You're never finding them.
[Patty]
This is [unclear].
[man] You need to get it
together, take him back home.
There's nothing for me there.
There's nothing left.
[footsteps]
[door slams]
[twacking]
[wind whispering]
[footsteps]
[twacking]
[bird calling]
[slow footsteps]
[tapping]
[door squeaks]
[slow intense music]
[door squeaks then slams]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[indistinct ethereal voices]
[mysterious humming]
♪♪♪
[thud]
[slow footsteps]
[rustling]
[match rasps]
[match rasps]
[flames crackling]
[thunder crashes]
[percussive music with chanting]
♪ Hey,
Little Bird ♪
♪ I remember you ♪
♪ You with your dreams ♪
♪ Up higher
than you could fly ♪
♪ Hey, I remember you ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Lost
in the summer sun ♪
♪ Those were the days when
your feathers were new ♪
♪ And I remember you ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Now it's all coming back ♪
♪ The whole world
is your habitat ♪
♪ But more than that ♪
♪ If we meet again,
will you know me? ♪
♪ So, Little Bird ♪
♪ Flash your colours
and I will see ♪
♪ Glide into time ♪
♪ With the moon on your wing,
Little Bird ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Little Bird ♪
♪ Like a plow
on the sea ♪
♪ Your resting place ♪
♪ Could be heaven ♪
♪ Or countless oceans
far from me ♪
[music tempo slows]
[car engine humming]
[radio plays light pop music:
lyrics indistinct]
♪♪♪
♪ And the light
from the sky ♪
♪ They fade from memory ♪
♪♪♪
[engine humming]
[engine stops]
[rustling]
♪ They got no place to hide ♪
[music stops]
[birds singing]
[vehicle engine approaching]
[man]
Are you lost?
I am, yes.
Where you're trying to go?
Don't actually know.
So what are you doing here then?
I think I might be from here.
I had siblings.
We were adopted.
My name is Bezhig.
Bezhig?
Ah, okay, I'll turn around.
Follow me until you see
the house with the school bus.
It's just past there.
Okay.
[percussive Indigenous music]
[singing in Indigenous language]
♪ Up in the morning sky ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Soaring with the eagles
so high ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Remember me? ♪
♪ Down low, hand in hand ♪
♪ We will meet ♪
[engine stops]
[seatbelt clicks]
Hi.
Hi.
Nice car.
Thanks.
Are your mom and dad here?
Yeah.
She's the best.
[loud honking]
Oh, I don't think
you should be doing that.
[honking]
[children giggle]
[man]
Can I help you?
[children chatter in background]
You lost?
I'm not really sure.
I think I have family here.
Oh well, where you from?
Montreal.
I was told
to come down this road.
My name's Bezhig.
You're...
I... I'm... I'm Leo.
I'm your, uh...
I'm your...
I'm your brother.
Really?
Oh, my...
You're all grown up.
Yeah.
Um, sorry,
do you want to come inside?
Yeah, let's go.
Let's go inside.
[horn honks]
Should, should I
be worried about that?
No, no.
They're fine.
Hey, don't drive off now.
[door clatters shut]
[jaunty music
plays in background]
You want a coffee
or something to drink or...
Sure.
[dishes clattering]
[spoon tapping]
[girl]
Me first!
No shoes, shoes, shoes,
shoes, shoes, shoes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Did you have fun?
[Leo laughs softly]
Hello.
Let's play.
Hello little girl.
Look at my doll.
Wow, she's beautiful.
What's her name?
Nikki, same as me.
What's your name?
My name is Bezhig.
[Nikki laughs]
That means "one".
[Bezhig laughs]
This is your auntie.
That's our auntie.
Auntie look.
[laughter]
Show your muscles.
Show your muscles!
Mommy's home.
Wow.
Who's this?
This is...
Mommy, that's our auntie.
we have a new auntie.
This is Bezhig.
What?
Hi.
Oh, my God.
Do you assume Bezhig now?
I'm still figuring out
if this is really happening.
Oh, my gosh.
Welcome home, Bezhig.
Kids help me.
Come help.
[children giggle]
Would you like to go outside?
How long have you been here?
Me?
All my life.
I... I grew up here.
You weren't adopted?
No.
[unclear]
My grandfather,
he, he raised me.
Why?
Why?
Why what?
What happened to our parents?
[unclear]
And the shelter went down here.
It... it fucked everything up.
This was given to my parents
when I was adopted.
"Neglect".
This is not true.
This is this is lies.
This is...
No, it's from
Child Protective Services.
This is lies.
This is what you fucking think?
Look, I... I...
We didn't live
in fucking poverty.
You weren't neglected.
All right, they just took you.
That's what they do, all right?
They... they... they...
They're fucking liars.
Go, go read it.
Hey.
[sniffs]
Can you tell me
the truth of what happened?
Your mom and dad loved you.
And your dad?
He died.
[crying]
And your mom
tried to get you back.
And when she couldn't,
she went into Regina
over and over again.
And walked around
the city looking for you.
Then she fucked off
and no one saw her since.
Your mom loved you.
But you lived on the rez.
Everybody was poor.
We weren't poor.
We had everything we needed.
I... I was ten.
I remember I was there.
What do you remember?
Not much.
The orphanage.
[Leo]
That wasn't an orphanage.
No.
It was an intake centre
where they kept kids
after they took 'em.
You want to meet
some more family?
[crying]
[woman]
Hey, baby.
[Leo]
This is your [unclear].
Your grandfather,
and this is your Auntie Bridget.
[quivering breaths]
Look at you.
Look at you.
Oh, my god.
It's so good to see, my girl.
[chattering and laughing]
[Grandfather]
Thought we were gonna cook you
a real traditional feast, huh?
Hey.
[girl]
It's the chicken man.
Yeah.
Eat up.
[clears throat]
[TV blares in background]
Oh my God, this is so good.
Ah.
This makes me so happy.
Yeah, me too.
Are you engaged?
Shit.
Doctors say shitty poop.
Holy smokes.
Wow!
Is that a fake ring?
I'm still waiting for my ring.
It's only been 10 years.
[Bridget]
I hear you.
Good luck.
[Nikki] Auntie,
can I come to your wedding?
Yeah.
Of course, you can.
[Leo] Me too?
What's he like?
David?
I've known him
for a very long time.
He goes to my synagogue.
I love him very much.
So your family in Montreal,
they're pretty good to you?
Yeah, they were.
They were very loving.
You know, my shoe guy is Jewish.
[Bridget]
Which shoe guy?
You know the guy in Albert,
he fixes my soles.
Um, Harold.
Yeah!
Beristain Bernstein.
He's a good man, I think.
He can fix that sole,
but he can't fix that stink,
whatever it is.
[Grandfather] That is your
breath. That is not my boot.
[conversation din and laughter]
Can you open all windows?
Fine.
[radio static]
[radio announcer]
Aboriginal Radio Network.
You are listening to Missinipi
Broadcasting Corporation
at 91.3 FM
in Regina, Saskatchewan.
We're here.
Look, there's Patty and Morris.
It's your mom and dad
on their wedding day.
It's just so beautiful.
You can have it.
That's my mom?
Do you know where she is?
[Leo] Told you already,
she fucked off.
Some people just don't
want to be found, Bezhig.
Look.
Is that me?
Yes.
Leo, is this you?
No, that's Niche.
You two were always together.
Even though
you're just right bossy.
That's true.
You're never far apart.
You were even born
holding onto one another.
We're twins.
[Leo] Yeah.
[Leo] Your, uh,
your head came out first,
so they called you Bezhig.
Niche means "number two".
There were, what,
27 kids taken from here?
Thousands from this region.
I would go to those meetings
in the Fort.
So many women speaking up,
and some of them
were even lawyers.
Me, I do it for Patty.
Losing her kids broke her.
[Leo] They're still doing it.
They're still taking kids.
So I keep my head down,
you know, stay quiet.
Don't want them
snooping around here.
[woman] I heard people
are calling band offices,
trying to find their families.
People are starting
to come home.
[Leo]
I hoped you would.
Prayed for you.
Went to ceremony.
[Beatrice]
We all did, my girl.
Glad you're home.
[distant distorted voices]
[distorted giggling of a child]
[Nikki laughs]
Good morning.
Oh, my God.
I can't believe I fell asleep.
I'm so sorry.
Anytime.
Hey, you can use my face stuff.
It's on the second shelf.
Thank you.
I can't believe
it's only been two days.
It feels like...
Like home?
Yeah.
That's because it is.
[dog barking]
I didn't want to tell you
because it didn't go well,
but I found our sister Dora
a few days ago.
Wow.
Just... give it
some time then.
Sweet grass.
It's, uh, it's for protection.
You burn it.
It sends your prayers
to the Creator.
Thank you for everything.
[engine revs]
[PA announcer]
The pre-board are announced
for flight 322 to Montreal.
Please have
your boarding passes ready.
[mellow string music]
[singing in other language]
Mom?
♪♪♪
[singing in other language]
Mom?
[singing in other language
continues]
Mom?
[music fades]
Are you planning
on staying for dinner?
Yes.
Mom.
I'm sorry I left like that.
Now you're back.
I have that meeting with
David and the rabbi tomorrow.
Good reason to come home.
[knocking]
Come in.
[muffled speech]
[panting and moaning]
Look really smart.
[panting and moaning]
[child screams]
How was Regina?
There's a lot.
What do you mean a lot?
Come here.
Right away.
What do you mean a lot?
Wait a second.
What?
I don't know what's going on.
What's happening?
Nothing.
And when I came back,
my mom's pissed at me.
Nothing's happened?
You're leaving
just a little bit out,
don't you think?
I'm just trying to figure out
what you're thinking.
What's your plan?
I don't have a plan.
Just got back.
Oh, so the rabbi
should be arriving any minute.
Wow, why is everyone
making such a fuss?
Okay.
Oh.
I just polished these today.
So.
I understand that you weren't
very happy with me
because of things
that you overheard
when I was having
a private conversation.
It was an unfortunate situation.
I am sorry if you felt upset.
But we both love David,
and I am sure that we want
to put this behind us.
Yes. Of course.
Thank you.
Good, good, good.
Are you hungry?
There's so much food.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
Here are some questions I like
engaged couples to consider.
Can you be truthful
with the other?
Do you feel seen
for who you really are
by the other?
What happens when you fight?
Are you able to find your way
out of the fight with the other?
How will you balance
the differences?
On a more practical note...
[distant distorted voices]
...on how you want
to live your lives.
Do you plan to keep
a kosher home?
Do you do you plan
to have children?
Hmm?
We talked about two.
Two seems good.
Esther?
Yeah, we did.
I think you both
will have considered
that Esther will face challenges
in this community as a convert,
even though you converted
very young, Esther.
Marriage isn't easy,
even in normal circumstances.
Do you both feel prepared
to meet those challenges?
[singing in other language]
[man] How was your meeting
with the rabbi?
It was good.
I think it was good.
Good, good.
Esther?
Yeah, it was good.
[woman] Tammy and Jason,
how was the last ultrasound?
[Tammy]
There is a baby in there.
[man] Let me ask you this.
Have you applied for med school
yet for that baby?
Law school.
Stop it.
Don't even listen.
So, Esther, you're going
to be articling soon.
Hmm-mmm.
You'll probably have all the top
law firms coming after you,
and they're doing affirmative
action stuff these days.
[David]
She's top of her class.
Of course
you'll have the best offers.
[mother] We all know
she's very bright.
- [David] That she is.
- That's what I'm saying.
But we have two African-Canadian
hires at our firm,
so I guess
we'll see how they do.
Jesus, Jason, they'll do fine.
[Jason]
It's amazing though, isn't it?
Whatever happened to, you know,
merit, earning your way in?
Well, you're still at your
father's firm, right, Jason?
What is that supposed to mean?
She means shut up.
I'm just saying.
Excuse me a minute.
Soup's good.
Good.
There's lots more of it.
[Jason] I hope
I didn't offend her.
[distant chattering]
[man]
She's seems very outspoken.
Passion.
I call it passion.
[deep calming breaths]
Here, Tammy,
have some more salad.
Here you go, sweetheart.
So, Esther, will you be
going into Aboriginal law?
I'm still deciding,
but corporate law most likely.
Ohhh, like your father.
You could do so much
for the aboriginals
with your good Jewish upbringing
and a lodge mom.
Mom, we agreed.
No, I'm saying that
she's one of the good ones.
And when I say that you're
one of the good ones, I mean it.
You are very bright
and your people
would be lucky to have you.
[sister] Jesus,
Mom, take a day off.
That's a compliment.
[man] Okay, everybody,
your mother made a nice dinner,
and she has apologized
to Esther.
I'm going to put that
on the table right now.
Apology has been made.
I don't understand.
I don't know what more
she wants.
I haven't even brought up
the fact that
she walked out of
her own engagement party.
I didn't feel welcome.
[David]
You were rude to her.
Okay, now you're being
very hard on your mother.
Wait, you think
I was being rude?
I was having
a personal conversation
where I was airing
my private doubts
and she was listening in
on them.
[David] You said
you weren't gonna do this.
Do you know how much
we spend on that party?
I'm the only one
who has apologized.
[thunder rumbling]
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
She's like that.
I'm sorry.
[thunder rumbling]
There's a reason
your mom tries so hard
to let me know
that I don't fit in.
That's that.
Hey, of course you fit in.
It's because I don't.
Of course, you fit in.
Hey.
Hey.
I love you.
Hey.
I'm just wondering
if that's going to be enough.
[sighs]
It's enough.
[thunder rumbling]
But I don't think you know
how awful that was
for me in there.
I'm sorry.
[sniffs]
And I have a brother.
And a grandfather.
And nieces
and nephews and cousins
and they all look like me.
And I've never had that before.
I didn't want to come home.
I feel like if I try
to explain that to you,
you're not gonna understand.
You don't think I'll understand?
Ester, I've known you
since you were seven. Hey.
[sobbing]
David, I can't.
You can't what?
You can't what?
I mean, Jesus Christ,
I can come and meet your family.
I can...
come with you to Regina.
I can see what
you're talking about.
I can...
I can do all the things.
[crying]
I'm sorry.
I want to.
[sobbing]
[door slams]
[slow stomping]
How's David?
Do you remember
on my 16th birthday?
I went into your office
just before my party
and you had all that stuff
lying out on your desk.
Photographs
of me.
In one of them,
I was five-years old,
and I was in an ad
in the newspaper.
And in the ad, it said
that my name was Bezhig.
And I realized then
that you changed my name.
Of course we changed your name.
They told us to change
the name to a Jewish name.
And then after the party,
I asked you
who my real family was.
I knew I wasn't
allowed to talk about it.
I knew you'd be angry.
You were so angry, you said,
"Do you think a child
ends up in a newspaper
because her family
loves her?"
And I didn't ask about it again.
That's how it's been between us.
For years.
I don't ask questions.
I don't talk about how much
I want to find them.
That's my mother
and that's my father.
You were wrong.
They wanted me.
No, that's not...
It's what I found out.
You were not taken care of.
This is what they told us,
"Save these children.
They need good homes.
It's a mitzvah."
You're not listening to me.
That's my father
and that's my mother.
And they loved me.
No.
I was removed
because the government
was taking Indian kids.
We had paper
saying "unfit mother".
You don't think
governments have lied before?
No, this is not true.
It is true.
You can't just stick
a new name on a person
and pretend
that nothing's happened.
And you can't take
a 5-year-old child
away from their family
and think that
they're just gonna forget.
You should know.
Have you forgotten?
Your family.
That you lost.
Have you forgotten your sister?
I don't think so,
because you named me after her.
It was the right thing to do.
You're not listening to me.
Listen to me.
No.
You picked me out of an ad.
Because that is how it was done!
You let them take me away
from my brothers and my sister.
It was the right thing to do.
It was wrong!
It was criminal, Mom.
You're a criminal.
Ester.
[bang then smashing]
Esther, don't leave.
[melodic music]
[flames roaring]
♪ I've seen
the lines upon your hands ♪
♪ And the fountains
from where ♪
♪ You draw your you ♪
♪ I was
a young man ♪
♪ Searching for something
to believe ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Then you took me
in your arms ♪
♪ It didn't matter
if I did not have a home ♪
♪ I was just trying
to find ♪
♪ Shelter from the cold ♪
♪ Then you looked at me
and said ♪
♪ "My boy, you've seen
far, far too much hate" ♪
♪ And the winter snow ♪
♪ That's blowing
outside your door ♪
♪ Is only a dream ♪
♪ Now your slumber's
at an end ♪
♪ Its spring breeze
will now blow across ♪