Hi, this is Daniel Garber at the Movies for culturalmining.com and CIUT 89.5 FM.

It’s a few years back on the social networks. A new image appears, that of an  older indigenous man posed with his fists raised as if for a fight. The meme catches people’s eyes and goes viral, appearing everywhere, accompanied by disrespectful slogans. Then, in a complete turn around, the meme is relaunched, this time accompanied by a puzzling indigenous expression: #Skoden, and becomes a symbol of native power, humour and identity. And a call to action… What is Skoden and who is the man in the meme? 

#Skoden is the name of a new documentary about both internet memes and real people. It’s also a tribute to the late Pernell Bad Arm, the Blackfoot man depicted in the photo, by talking with his friends and relatives who remember him. #Skoden is written, directed and produced by award-winning documentary filmmaker Damien Eagle Bear, from the Kainai First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy.  Damien’s films are known both for their playful irreverence and the crucial cultural points they cover. Th e doc was filmed in Lethbridge Alberta and on the Blood Reserve of the traditional Blackfoot Territory. #Skoden had its world Premier at Hotdocs where it won the Earl A. Glick Emerging Canadian Filmmaker Award.

I spoke with Damien from Toronto via ZOOM.

#Skoden is screening at the ImagineNative film festival on June 4th, 2025.