1. The Art of Inquiry | July 29, 2026
The Art of Inquiry professional development webinar provides tools and strategies to help learners design meaningful driving questions and to structure their research plans...
Overview
Sugarcane is the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie. Set amidst a ground-breaking investigation into abuse and death at an Indian residential school, the film empowers participants to break cycles of intergenerational trauma by bearing witness to painful, long-ignored truths — and the love that endures within their families despite the revelation of genocide. This epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning is also a stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life. This film, and the related resources, are value learning tools for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Peoples Day and throughout the year.
For this film, we created a variety of resources to meet educator and community needs:
- U.S.-focused Film Discussion Guide for the film with Historical Background, Context, Timeline and Maps focused on the history of Indian Boarding Schools in the United States.
- Canadian-focused Learning and Dialogue Guide for the film focused on the history of Indian Residential Schools in Canada including government perspectives, survivors perspectives, a timeline and maps. This guide was created by Canadian Geographic.
- Learning Guide with Cross-Media Section and Primary Source Learning Sections.
We also recommend these related materials: Truth and Healing Curriculum developed by the National Native American Boarding School Coalition about U.S. Boarding Schools.
🍁 Sugarcane investigates the Indian residential school co-director Julian Brace NoiseCat’s family was sent to near Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Julian brave Noisecat is a proud member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen and descendant of the Lil’Wat Nation of Mount Currie. Emily Kassie is is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker and investigative journalist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Where to Watch
Educational licenses for Sugarcane are available through Grasshopper Film. Discounts and fee waivers available to tribal colleges, high schools on reservations, and primarily Indigenous-serving institutions.
Watch it yourself on Amazon or other streaming platforms.
Sugarcane is also available in Canada on major streaming platforms.
Learning Guide
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Cross-Media: Poetry, Essays and More
Features: Historical Context, Active Viewing and other Media Literacy Handouts, Writing a Film Review Worksheet, Name Poetry Activity, and More.
Subject: Creative Writing, Current Events, English Language Arts, Film Literacy, Government, History, Language Arts, Media Literacy
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Primary Source Learning and Activities
Features: Historical Context, Image Analysis, Speech Analysis, Media Studies Component, Rich Primary Source Learning Activities and More
Subject: Civics, Current Events, Government, History, Political Science, Social Studies, U.S. History, World History
Learning Guide for Grades 9-12 (Includes Cross-Media and Primary Sources Sections)
Discussion Guide
Sugarcane Film Discussion Guide (U.S. History Focus)
This discussion guide features tips for teaching about this difficult history as well as background information on Indian Boarding Schools in the United States, including government perspectives, survivors perspectives, a timeline and maps. The guide includes thoughtful discussion questions and service learning components.
Learning and Dialogue Guide (Canadian History Focus)
This discussion guide features tips for teaching about this difficult history as well as background information on Indian Residential Schools in Canada, including government perspectives, survivors perspectives, a timeline and maps. The guide includes thoughtful discussion questions and service learning components.
Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines
These tips can help you create safe space for classroom engagement on the themes and subjects of this film.
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