Watch We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice

We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice is a documentary film directed by Alanis Obomsawin in 2016. The movie is a riveting and insightful portrayal of the injustices faced by First Nations children in Canada's child welfare system. The documentary follows a landmark case that took place over nine years between First Nations child welfare advocates and the Canadian government.

The movie chronicles the battle waged by Cindy Blackstock, a First Nations child welfare advocate, against the Canadian government's discriminatory practices toward indigenous children. The case, which was heard before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, alleged that the government was systematically underfunding on-reserve child welfare services, resulting in the removal of thousands of children from their homes and communities.

The documentary bears witness to the struggle of First Nations leaders, activists, and citizens as they fought for their rights and dignity, stating that the government is depriving indigenous children of an opportunity to grow up in healthy, caring communities. Obomsawin gives the audience a deeper understanding of the devastating impact of colonization, residential schools, and discrimination upon First Nations communities, starting from the past and still affecting them in the present.

The movie exposes the systemic, on-going, and devastating effects of Canada’s residential schools and how the history of colonization has negatively affected Indigenous people through the generations. The documentary also highlights that the underfunding of child welfare services in Indigenous communities does not have a religious or cultural bias, which means that it affects all indigenous communities equally.

The film depicts the unwavering dedication and tireless work of Blackstock and her legal team to achieve a historic decision in favor of First Nations children. Simply put, the movie is about fairness, equality, and justice. It challenges the racism and prejudice within Canada's political landscape and emphasizes the importance of advocacy and activism that protects the rights of vulnerable children and communities.

The movie includes archival footage of the Canadian government's discriminatory policies and their impact on First Nations communities. Interviews with experts, legal representatives, activists, and First Nations leaders enhance the narrative of the movie, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the problem. There are also interviews with the families that have been directly impacted by the government's maltreatment of First Nations children, sharing heartbreaking and moving stories.

The movie's strength is the way it showcases the power of a community standing together in the face of injustice, demanding that their rights be respected and protected by the authorities. Obomsawin manages to capture the strength, resilience, and hope of First Nations communities while also highlighting their ongoing struggle for equality and respect.

Overall, We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice is a powerful, educational, and emotional documentary that sheds light on a critical issue with flare, insight, and empathy. It is a movie that everyone must watch to understand the effects of systemic, institutionalized racism on indigenous communities, particularly First Nations children, and it reminds us that everyone has a part to play in advocating for change.

We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.