When I was 10 years old, I had a horse named Smokey and when I rode him every afternoon after school, I imagined that I was an Indian living free... and wild, surrounded only by nature.

In the summers at my grandparents’ cottage on Lake Michigan, the water, the dunes, the forests, and the sound of the waves breaking on the shore as I fell asleep at night, surrounded me.

It was Nature that brought me through a very painful childhood and without this strong connection to the land, the water and the animals I could not have survived.

Now after traveling down many winding roads, climbing steep mountains, overcoming numerous obstacles and taking quite a few leaps of faith [sometimes the only way to travel!]; life has brought me to this place of creating documentaries on the First Nations People.

In these documentaries I have been able to incorporate my feelings about Nature, my deep reverence and respect for the Native American people, and my appreciation for the visual arts…. as well as lessons learned about living/dying, about the light and the shadow.

And I cannot think of anything I would rather do at this time in my life, than to help in bringing forth to the world, the profound wisdom and teachings of the First Nations people because I believe without a doubt, that within these teachings, lie the answers and solutions to the many of the problems we are currently facing on this planet.

Working on these documentaries has brought many unique and wonderful people into my life and some of them are part of our film crew…

First and foremost, I am forever grateful to my son Andy who by coming into my life in the first place, gave me a reason to live when I had none. We have been making documentaries together for 20 years and it is his vision and amazing talent as an editor that has enabled us to communicate our message to a worldwide audience and to win quite a few awards.

I am also grateful to the following people who have become close friends in the process of creating these documentaries: to Dave Courchene for happiness, humor and laughter [always mixed in with wisdom of course], to Tom Bee for his trust and his generosity in providing the Music which really does bring everything together, and to Sabina Ijaz for always being there, and for her ever present loyalty, support and help with the many details that are part of making films.

Also special thanks to Bob Armstrong and Dustin Leader, our super talented cameramen.

ANDY PICKARD
PRODUCER / EDITOR AND DIRECTOR [LONG DISTANCE]
http://the8thfire.org

It is very exciting to be working on documentaries with First Nations elders at a time when people are looking for answers to questions they have about the state of the world. As new information about our place in the universe emerges from physics and astronomy, I am amazed by the similar messages emerging from the past in the prophetic traditions from ancient cultures. It has been an honor to document the story of First Nations people in Canada who are living these teachings and experiencing renewed interest in their message. And it is my hope that these documentaries demonstrate the connectedness that is needed today to bring about the best in people around the world.

As a member of the First peoples of America, I know that we have had to endure many challenges. We have survived the challenges by holding onto an ancient way of life that honoured the Spirit. We have remained faithful and loyal to our connection to the Spirit through our close connection to the land, the ceremonies, and by keeping our Sacred Fires lit. As prophesized by our ancestors, we bring forward this sacred understanding that could act as the foundation of supporting a New Life which we build together, which can be filled with peace and love for all life. We have remained in the shadow with this knowledge, and the symbol of what we bring forward is represented by the Star. As prophesized, it was said that it would be here in America – known as Turtle Island – where the Truth would be revealed… and that the Truth would be represented by the Seven Sacred Laws – seven inclusive laws – that can help us transcend our separation and division from each other and the land. What we bring forward is a true reflection of the spirit of the Red man.

ANISHNABE ELDER DAVE COURCHENE
DIRECTOR
http://www.theturtlelodge.org

TOM BEE (the legendary)
PRODUCER / MUSIC
http://www.soundofamerica.com

After seeing their professional skills, and feeling their passion for film, I was excited to join with Andy and Cindy Picard. Working with them in providing the soundtracks that tied the projects together was a joy.

SABINA IJAZ, MD
PRODUCTION MANAGER
http://www.theturtlelodge.org

As a medical doctor working in First Nations communities, I have had the privileged experience of learning from traditional Indigenous Elders such as Dave Courchene. The Elders hold such valuable knowledge and life experience that can really benefit all citizens of the world.
 
As a health care provider I see how the Seven Sacred Laws and other traditional Indigenous teachings on spirituality and living in balance, connected to the land, can really help people to become whole and be well in spirit, emotions, body and mind.
 
It has been an honour and a privilege to help out in the making of Manitou Api - Where the Sun Rises. I hope this film will offer the light of inspiration - the Star of Knowledge - the all peoples to feel and apply the Seven Sacred Laws in our own lives... and acknowledge the contribution of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas that has been kept in the shadows for so long...

ROBERT ARMSTONG
HD VARICAM CAMERA
Canada

DUSTIN LEADER
STILL CAMERA
Canada

GRAHAM HOWE
HD VARICAM CAMERA
England