Tla’amin Nation has received a $10,000 donation from the ILLAHIE Foundation to support post-production activities for the təm kʷaθ nan (NameSake) documentary film.
According to a media release from Tla’amin, təm kʷaθ nan documents the Tla’amin’s request that City of Powell River change its name. The city is named after Israel Wood Powell, who served as BC’s superintendent of Indian affairs for 17 years. Powell was instrumental in the establishment of Indian residential schools, the banning of the potlatch and the theft of Lot 450 in Tla’amin territory, the release stated.
təm kʷaθ nan has been in production since 2022 and hundreds of hours of interviews and footage have already been captured.
ILLAHIE Foundation is a family foundation established by Julia and Ed Levy. The term ILLAHIE originates from the Chinook jargon, meaning land or earth, according to the release. The ILLAHIE Foundation draws its name from this term, reflecting a connection to the land and a commitment to environmental and social causes.
"The NameSake documentary is an essential window into Tla'amin people's deep connection to their lands, as well as the history of dispossession at the hands of colonial agents,” stated Dr. Julia Levy, a cofounder of the ILLAHIE foundation. “We are honoured to support this seminal film."
Levy is a distinguished Canadian microbiologist, immunologist, educator, entrepreneur and business leader, the release stated. She is an officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her roles in discovering and developing the first medical treatment for macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Levy resides in qathet territory.
"We extend our heartfelt čɛčɛhaθɛč (thank you) to the Levy family and the ILLAHIE Foundation for believing in the importance of this story," stated Tla’amin hegus John Hackett. "These finishing funds will go a long way in making this documentary one that leaves a legacy for our community and beyond."
Scheduled for release in June 2025, təm kʷaθ nan combines oral history, archival imagery and contemporary perspectives to amplify Tla’amin voices and build community understanding about the request for a name change. In the spirit of reconciliation, 45 local organizations, businesses and nonprofits have voluntarily changed their names over the last three years, according to the release.
Tla’amin Nation is inviting others who are inspired by this project to contribute to its success. Donations for the NameSake documentary film can help preserve this critical story for future generations, the release stated. For more information, or to make a contribution, email [email protected].
A teaser trailer for the documentary can be found at youtu.be/nxtylcNAWNg.
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