Medicine Game: Insights into the new CFL original production

TORONTO – In a documentary full of powerful moments, one in particular stands out in the CFL original, Medicine Game.

Levi Horn speaks with his players, members of the Indigenous U18 women’s team that will compete in the women’s national championship in Fredericton, N.B., last summer.

“Be clear,” he tells the team. “This is an important day. They represent us. You wear this name for Canada on your chest. If football was easy, everyone would do it. We have about 20 ladies representing all of Indigenous Canada. It is important. ”

As he addresses her, he leads her through smudging, a sacred First Nations ceremony that cleanses the mind, body, heart and soul of anyone who enters the ceremonial area.

“This is our medicine. Sport is our medicine,” he continues. “It’s an honor to play and represent out here. Think about the people who have done it before us. People had to give their lives so we could come here and play this medicine game. Many people. There are many women out there who are still missing.

“Remember, when things get tough, think about the women we don’t have right now, okay? Think about these women. You play for them, you represent them. To all the young ladies… your sacrifice for our people and what we are doing here to change the game so other little local girls know they can come here and let off steam.”

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Cinematographer Colin Wouda directed the piece. He spent about a week with the team, visiting athletes and coaches in the Fort MacKay First Nation and accompanying them through training camp in Winnipeg and on to Fredericton.

The result is an up-close and personal look at a team that is unique: an all-Indigenous women’s tackle football team made up of players from across Canada. The team began competing in 2023.

“It feels very homey, no other team would make me feel that way,” said Gabrielle Gladue of Fort MacKay, Alta. “I think it’s mostly because we all come from different places, but deep down we all know what we’re going through on these reservations and all that stuff. This makes you feel more together. We all lift each other up.”

“They understand where everyone is coming from,” head coach Samantha Big Swallow said. “You all know what it’s like to be an Indigenous woman. Some come from good families, others from less good families. They are all here for the same reason and everyone is there to support each other. It brings out that sense of pride.”

The challenges facing First Nations communities across the country are no secret. The lack of clean drinking water has a profound impact on these communities – as on any other community – and remains unresolved.

“We have kids who live in the cities, who live on the reservation, who live in foster care,” Big Swallow said. “I really feel like it’s more like a parent saying, ‘I want my child to experience normalcy.’ For many families, it’s normal to eat three meals a day and get a cup of water from the tap. Many communities require you to ration your water. Just having the opportunity to live normally for a while.”

Amid the challenges mentioned, given the heartbreaking information we have about Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the lasting impact of residential schools, we recognize the power that sport, and especially football, can have as a unifying force, as a tool for building communities. This is evident in Horn’s speech and in how these girls from across Canada come together to compete in this national tournament.

Game day, Big Swallow said, was a special moment for the team.

“I think a big part of it comes down to me putting on the jersey and realizing that I am the person I represent. Representing Indigenous youth and Indigenous women in my community and Canada as a whole. When that representation comes to mind, it’s like, ‘Okay, I have to show up.'”

The team won its first game of the summer, defeating the Ontario Black team 32-21. As the program continues to grow, the coaches and players know they can create a wave of influence and change, opening doors for Indigenous players who may not have considered football as an option. The team finished the tournament with a 2-1 record.

“It feels so great. We all represent our reservations, our ancestors, and everyone back home. It feels so great, it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Gladue said.

“There is no ceiling above us that we cannot break,” Big Swallow said. “We are Aboriginal people, we come from the stars so we can reach the universe, really work together and achieve the best possible outcome by becoming a champion.” I really believe these girls have that in them. We as coaches have the understanding to get them this far. I know there are many more girls who want to be a part of it. We can get there, we just need your girls to come out and help us get there.”

The words the team said as they broke up their group resonate beyond the game.

“Who are we?”

“Strong!”

“Who are we?”

“Capable!”

“Where do we belong?”

“Right here, right now.”