The Cinematheque

Bill Reid, a renowned Haida artist, became a pivotal figure in Haida art and culture by blending contemporary techniques with traditional artistic methods. Reid began his reconnection journey in his early twenties upon discovering his Haida heritage and emerged as a national figure in Indigenous artistry. Bill Reid Remembers, by iconic Abenaki director Alanis Obomsawin, is a documentary dedicated to the legacy of her dear friend. Obomsawin narrates alongside Reid, honouring his upbringing, artistic evolution through Haida techniques, and connection to the land of his ancestors, Haida Gwaii. A Golden Voice, a short film by Jenn Strom and Haida filmmaker Patrick Shannon, creatively explores the journey of Bill Reid and the Haida creation myth while wonderfully capturing his essence as a skilled goldsmith and artist. Featuring beautiful words from Reid’s granddaughter Nika Collison, his final apprentice Gwaai Edenshaw, Haida elder Harvey Williams, and Reid himself.

Bill Reid Remembers
Canada 2022
Alanis Obomsawin
24 min. DCP

A Golden Voice
Canada 2020
Patrick Shannon, Jenn Strom
5 min. DCP

After the screening, join us for a discussion with Aliya Boubard, curator of the Bill Reid Gallery for Northwest Coast Art, and Bryan Myles, associate director of the Bill Reid Centre at SFU.