Dancing Around the Table: Part One provides a fascinating look at the crucial role Indigenous people played in shaping the Canadian Constitution. The 1984 Federal Provincial Conference of First Ministers on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters was a tumultuous and antagonistic process that pitted Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and the First Ministers—who refused to include Indigenous inherent rights to self-government in the Constitution—against First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, who would not back down from this historic opportunity to enshrine Indigenous rights. The conference was Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s last constitutional meeting before he resigned and the process was handed over to his successor, Brian Mulroney.
Direction
Bulbulian lets the archival footage speak brutal truth.
Editing
Tight cuts between political theater and Indigenous dignity.
Director
Maurice Bulbulian
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This documents a pivotal moment when Indigenous leaders forced constitutional recognition onto a table set to exclude them.
The 'dancing' metaphor refers to diplomatic maneuvering, but the film reveals who was actually leading.
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