#SKODEN – Montreal premiere with director Damien Eagle Bear

Join Cinema Politica and Mikana for the Montreal premiere of #SKODEN, followed by an in-person Q&A with director Damien Eagle Bear!

In an age of endless scrolling and image-first media, this compelling documentary digs into the story behind one problematic, popular meme and opens a wider conversation about Indigenous identity and Canadian colonialism.

ABOUT THE FILM

Every meme has its story. #SKODEN delves into the origins of NDN Country’s most iconic meme to redefine the man at the center of it all — Pernell Bad Arm. In the early days of social media, a notorious image of an Indigenous man with raised fists circulated widely, used to mock and reinforce stereotypes of Indigenous peoples. Then one word added to the image changed it forever. SKODEN—an Indigenous shortening of “let’s go then”—ignited an instant Indigenous pop-culture icon that spread like wildfire across Turtle Island and beyond.

Behind the viral fame was a kind and generous Blackfoot man from Kainai who faced immense challenges while living on the streets. This documentary seeks to reclaim Pernell’s humanity, offering a deeper, more complex portrait of the man behind the meme. This is his story.

EVENT DETAILS

Admission by donation ($5–10 suggested, cash only). The venue is wheelchair accessible. Mask-wearing is recommended.

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