Llyod Quill | Portrait Series from Pikangikum First Nation

Lloyd speaks with the calm of someone shaped by the land. He remembers learning from wind, water, animals. A time when survival meant listening, watching, and passing knowledge through generations. He says the seven grandfather teachings still hold strength in the spirit, body, and mind.

He carries memories of the residential school system. Strict rules. Silence. Coming home and feeling lost without the voice of elders to show what was safe or good. He wonders how easily harm takes root when guidance is taken away.

Now he wants young people to return to the land. To revitalize culture. To learn at home, with parents and grandparents, because a teacher is someone who loves you enough to prepare you for life.

Watch Lloyd’s video portrait about returning to the teachings and carrying them forward.

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Pikangikum is an Ojibwe First Nations reserve located in Northwestern Ontario. They have a population of over 3000 people. Pikangikum and Jamii have a long-standing relationship dating back to 2018 and have collaborated on photo exhibitions, workshops video portraits and murals in both Pikangikum and The Esplanade. This video portrait comes from a series of portraits shot in January 2024 during Jamii’s trip to Pikangikum. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for Pikangikum's collaboration with Jamii Esplanade and allowing us to have shared interactions amongst our communities. For more information on Jamii and Pikangikum follow this link: https://www.jamii.ca/pikangikum



Credits:

Presented and Produced by Jamii

Featured Community Member LLYOD QUILL

Directed by ISORINE MARC

Filmed and Edited by ANA (FIGO) HIGUERA

Additional Editing by ISORINE MARC

Subtitles by ANA (FIGO) HIGUERA

Music Credit: PIXABAY

Funded and Supported by ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL and J. P. BICKELL FOUNDATION

Special thanks to: EENCHOKAY BIRCHSTICK SCHOOL, PIKANGIKUM EDUCATION AUTHORITY, PRIVATE DONORS