Indigenous Film Collective Presents: If an Owl Calls Your Name

Indigenous Film Collective Presents: If an Owl Calls Your Name 

Tuesday September 29, 2026

6:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Ave)

RSVP via Folio(opens in new tab)

Watch the trailer(opens in new tab)

We know through sacred ceremony the reconciliation is already done.

Patricia June Vickers, her brother Roy Henry Vickers, along with other Indigenous Elders, healers and activists from Esk’etemc, Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en territories reflect upon their lives as forcefully assimilated Canadians. The effects of intergenerational trauma echo through the voices of residential school survivors and their children as they heal from substance abuse, violence, and a profound disconnect from their culture.

Through connection to land, ancestral wisdom and ceremonial healing they transform darkness into forgiveness and inner reconciliation. A prayer beyond religion; these stories call one into a universal yearning for belonging and the sacredness of life.

Event Agenda

• 6:15pm – Light Refreshments and Check In
• 6:30pm – Doors Open
• 6:45pm – Opening Remarks
• 7:00pm-8:35pm – Film Screening
• 8:35pm – Closing Discussion with Filmmaker Finley MacNeil and Audience Q/A/Giveaway
• 9:00pm – Event Ends

About the Filmmaker: Finley MacNeil

Finley is a film and television editor, producer, and director from Toronto, Canada. Having cut thousands of commercial spots by the age of seventeen and his first feature at eighteen, Finley practically grew up in a post-house. Working with countless producers in Canada, the US, and Europe, Finley has amassed innumerable credits at a very young age. His most recent works include: The Eternal Song, Where Olive Trees Weep, and The Case Against Cosby.

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Please be aware that smudging, which involves burning sacred herbs such as sage or sweetgrass, may be present during this event. We acknowledge that some participants may have smoke allergies or sensitivities to scent. If you are affected by such conditions or need any other accessibility accommodations, please let us know so we can accommodate your needs. We are committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants.

Please note: If An Owl Calls Your Name may depict sensitive and potentially distressing content. The film explores the traumatic experiences of Indigenous peoples’ experiences with racism; descriptions of child abuse, residential school trauma, and genocide. These portrayals may be triggering for some viewers.

Please take care when watching and seek support if needed. Viewer discretion is advised.

Mental Health Resources

• Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line – 416.360.0486 or 416.920.2605
• Indigenous Wellness Counsellor – mentalhealth.hwc@utoronto.ca or 416.978.8030 (select option 5)
• St. George Health & Wellness Centre (416.978.8030)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre – 416.597.8808
• U of T Wayfinder (utoronto.ca)(opens in new tab)

RSVP via Folio(opens in new tab) or email Andrea Johns (andrea.johns@utoronto.ca) with your name and number of guests.