Watch Secrets of the Stones
- 2014
- 1 Season
Secrets of the Stones is a Canadian documentary series produced by Indigenius that aims to uncover the hidden history and spiritual significance of Indigenous rock formations across Canada. The series consists of eight episodes, each exploring a different location and its unique story.
The show is hosted by journalist and storyteller Rick Harp, who guides viewers through each location and interviews local Indigenous knowledge holders to gain insight into the cultural significance of these rocks. Rick's gentle and respectful approach to exploring the sites allows the audience to understand the stories of the land and the Indigenous people who have lived there for thousands of years.
The first episode, "Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park," takes place in Northern British Columbia, where Rick meets with Nisga'a elders to learn about the significance of the volcanic lava bed that has been preserved as a memorial site. The Nisga'a people, who have lived in the area for over 10,000 years, believe that the site has healing properties and that the souls of their ancestors live within the rocks.
In the second episode, "Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park," Rick travels to Southern Alberta to explore the petroglyphs and pictographs that cover the rock formations in the park. The Blackfoot people believe that the rocks contain messages from their ancestors, and Rick speaks with an Elder who explains the spirit world that these messages describe.
The third episode, "The Narrows," takes place in Eastern Manitoba, where Rick explores a narrow canyon that was once used by Indigenous peoples as a travel route. The site is full of unique rock formations that have been shaped by the water over time, and Rick speaks to a local Elder who tells him about the powerful connection that Indigenous peoples have to the land.
In the fourth episode, "Saoyú-ÊÇÅÇtnÉÉük (Grizzly Bear Mountain)," Rick heads to the Northwest Territories to explore the mountain that is home to the Sahtu Dene people. The mountain is connected to a sacred story about a giant grizzly bear that protected the Sahtu Dene from an enemy tribe, and Rick learns about the traditional knowledge and history of the area from several Elders.
The fifth episode, "Agawa Pictographs," takes place in Ontario, where Rick explores the ancient paintings on the rocks near Lake Superior. The Anishinabe people believe that the paintings tell the story of their creation, and they are considered some of the oldest pictographs in North America.
In the sixth episode, "Birch Island (Manitoulin Island)," Rick travels to an island in the middle of Lake Huron, where he explores the sacred rock formations that are significant to the Anishinabe people. Rick speaks with an Elder who describes the spiritual significance of the rock formations and the traditional knowledge that has been passed down through generations.
The seventh episode, "Greig's Caves," takes place in Southern Ontario, where Rick explores a series of caves that have been used by Indigenous peoples as a sacred site for thousands of years. The site is considered a place of healing and purification, and Rick speaks with a local Elder who explains the spiritual significance of the site and how it has been used by Indigenous peoples throughout history.
Finally, in the eighth episode, "KamamahtÄtajik (Table Mountain)," Rick travels to Saskatchewan to explore the flat-topped mountain that is considered a sacred site by the Cree people. The mountain holds significant spiritual and cultural meaning to the Cree, and Rick speaks with an Elder who tells him about the traditional knowledge and history of the area.
Overall, the series is a beautiful and insightful exploration of the cultural significance of Indigenous rock formations across Canada. The stories told by the Elders are rich and moving, and the show's high production values and gorgeous cinematography make for a stunning viewing experience. Secrets of the Stones is a must-watch for anyone interested in Indigenous culture, history, and spirituality.
Secrets of the Stones is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between September 16, 2014 and on Indigenius