Kímmapiiyipitssini The Meaning of Empathy. (Image supplied by National Film Board of Canada)

By David Opinko

Award-winning documentary on Kainai opioid response efforts to play at Movie Mill

Nov 9, 2021 | 11:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Starting this Friday, the Movie Mill will play host to a local film about how the opioid crisis has impacted the Kainai First Nation and the various efforts undertaken to address it.

Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers is the Director of Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy, described as “an intimate portrait of survival, love and the collective work of healing in the Kainai First Nation in Southern Alberta, a Blackfoot community facing the impacts of substance use and a drug-poisoning epidemic, where community members active in addiction and recovery, first responders and medical professionals implement harm reduction to save lives.”

Having spent five years developing it, she says it was a challenging documentary to make.

Tailfeathers is a member of the Kainai community and told LNN that substance addiction has impacted the lives of many around her.

For her, this project initially came from a place of pain and loss but was “humbled and honoured” to hear the stories of both front-line workers and those who have suffered from addiction.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The film offers viewers, particularly those who are not from the First Nation, to see up close how the impacts of colonialism and other long-term barriers are inter-connected to substance use disorder within her community.

“I hope that people in Lethbridge, in particular, gain a deeper understanding and deeper empathy for people who are living with substance use disorder, particularly those who are vulnerable and living on the streets of Lethbridge. I feel like we’re at a really important moment in Canada in terms of this conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.”

The documentary features the creation of the Bringing the Spirit Home detox centre, one initiative Tailfeathers is especially proud of.

“It’s actually the only detox of its kind in Canada and now it’s received long-term funding, which is really exciting. Audiences will get to see the birth of the Bringing the Spirit Home detox and the positive impacts it has had on the community, along with the people who work at the detox.”

READ MORE: Province announces Indigenous addiction treatment and police funding

Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy has won numerous awards, including:

• Emerging Canadian Filmmaker Award and Rogers Audience Award for Canadian Feature Documentary, Hot Docs 2021
• Colin Low Award for Best Canadian Director, DOXA 2021
• Audience Choice Award, Canadian Documentary, 2021 Calgary International Film Festival
• Co-winner, Inspiring Voices & Perspectives Feature Film Award, Cinéfest Sudbury 2021

The film premiers at the Movie Mill on Friday, November 12. For showtimes and to purchase tickets, go to MovieMill.com.