Experience the brilliance of Shelley Niro’s latest film, Café Daughter, at the historic Westdale Theatre. In partnership with the Westdale Theatre, we’re proud to present a special screening of this captivating film.

Following the screening of Café Daughter, we invite you to stay for an insightful Q&A session with none other than Shelley Niro herself, alongside the talented artist and filmmaker, Ty Tekatch. Ty is currently immersed in crafting a documentary showcasing Shelley Niro’s remarkable journey and artistic practice.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into the world of Shelley Niro’s visionary storytelling!

Synopsis:
In a small Saskatchewan town in the 1960s, Yvette Wong, a young girl of Chinese and Cree heritage, struggles with her Indigenous identity amidst family tragedy in this coming-of-age film directed by Mohawk artist and filmmaker Shelley Niro. Yvette’s mother, Katherine, discourages her from embracing her Cree identity, so she explores it in secret. As she learns more about herself and her Indigenous heritage, Yvette finds a friend in Maggie Wolf, who embraces being part Mi’kmaq and encourages Yvette to be proud of being Cree. When her classmates learn about her Cree ancestry, Yvette encounters the realities of being Indigenous, facing prejudice with pride and holding fast to her dream of becoming a doctor. Café Daughter is inspired by true events and based on Kenneth T. Williams’ play of the same name.

97 mins. runtime

Artist Bio:
Shelley Niro is a Bay of Quinte Mohawk, member of the Six Nations of the Grand River, turtle clan.

Niro attended a graphic arts course for a while at Durham College in Oshawa, concentrating on photography, drawing and art history. Years later Niro went to Ontario College of Art in Toronto. She graduated with Honours. In 2019 she was honoured with an honorary doctorate from the Ontario College of Arts and Design University.

Shelley was the inaugural recipient of the Aboriginal Arts Award presented through the Ontario Arts Council in 2012. In 2017 Niro received the Governor General’s Award For The Arts from Canada Council, the Scotiabank Photography Award and the Hnatsyshyn Foundation Reveal Award. She became an honorary elder in the Indigenous Curatorial Collective. In 2019 Niro was the Laureate of the Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Photography.

Niro has recently completed film production on a film, CAFE DAUGHTER. Niro’s film work has received support from Telefilm Canada, the Indigenous Screen Office, Ontario Creates and The Northern Ontario Film Office.

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