July 10, 2025
The Haida Gwaii Salon at the Canadian Museum of History was alive with energy and anticipation on the evening of July 10, as guests gathered for the premiere of Rhythms of the Land, a powerful documentary honouring Indigenous languages through music, land, and story.
Hosted in Gatineau, Quebec, the gathering brought together artists, Elders, youth, dignitaries, and language advocates from many Nations for an unforgettable night marking the film’s official launch in the National Capital Region. Attendees were welcomed with hors d’oeuvres catered by Mādahòkì Farm, an Indigenous-owned catering company, reflecting the project’s deep commitment to Indigenous-led approaches and authentic representation.
The evening began in a good way with Elder Verna McGregor from Kitigan Zibi, who opened the space with a land acknowledgement and prayer. Her words grounded the gathering in ceremony, gratitude, and connection, setting the tone for an evening rooted in language, kinship, and respect.
Led by Georgina Liberty, Director of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (OCIL), and directed by Jarrod Tully, CEO of Storm the Castle Media, Rhythms of the Land features 16 Indigenous artists performing in their mother tongues, each filmed on the lands they call home, in places of deep cultural and personal significance. “This project was born out of a deep responsibility to both educate Canadians and inspire Indigenous language learners,” said Liberty. “Every voice in this film carries a story and every story carries the strength of generations. We hope it reminds people that Indigenous languages are still here, alive, and worth fighting for.”
Following the reception, guests walked the red carpet into the CINE+ Theatre, where they were invited to help themselves to freshly popped popcorn and bannock bites before the lights dimmed. The screening carried audiences through all four seasons, with breathtaking scenery from across the country from mountain ranges and river valleys to tundra and coastline. Each artist sang in their mother tongue, grounded in the land they come from. The film offered a moving, multisensory journey through story, song, and season, a vivid reminder that Indigenous languages are alive, rooted in place, and rising strong in the voices of the next generation.
The documentary is part of the Commission’s broader work to bring the Indigenous Languages Act to life, a mandate grounded in supporting Indigenous Peoples in reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening their languages. More than a film, Rhythms of the Land is a living expression of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages. It celebrates the essential role of Indigenous-language media in restoring fluency, pride, and cultural connection. Rhythms of the Land aired nationally on CTV and CTV2 on July 12, 2025, and is now streaming on Crave, inviting all Canadians to witness the strength, beauty, and urgency of Indigenous language revitalization.
Learn more: https://commissionforindigenouslanguages.ca/rhythms-of-the-land/
