Hollywood visits Biidaaban!
Whether it was a student, a staff member, or a parent/caregiver, the news of world-renowned Hollywood film star Adam Beach visiting Biidaaban on February 28 caused excitement to bubble throughout the school and community. Adam, the first Indigenous actor in North America to star in a lead role (Squanto), said this was the first of more visits to come. The scenic community landscape, the beautiful newly built Biidaaban, and the students attending it captured his appreciative gaze, and his sheer presence inspired everyone in his wake.
Students of Biidaaban prepared for Adam’s arrival by hand-decorating posters, re-creating images from Adam’s top movies and lining the halls with the memorabilia. They designed their classroom doors as a ‘biindigen’ to the famous actor who was coming to meet them in person and offer his personal story as inspiration to the youth on their journey.
Adam’s success as an actor was not without its struggles and lessons learned. It required great character and perseverance to keep moving forward. Tempted by the drugs and alcohol that his friend circle partook in, and hanging out with certain ‘friends’ in his teen years led him down the wrong path for a time. But he concluded one day that it was not a path he wanted to remain on. He wanted something different, something better for himself. So, he chose a different path! “It took me two years, from age 14-16, to figure out that I wanted to be an actor. I loved it (acting); it was fun for me!” Adam smiled broadly. “I was doing something that no one in my family had ever done. So some laughed at me because they didn’t understand.” ‘Why do they do that? Are they jealous? Maybe they haven’t found out what they love to do?’ he mused. “When you be who you are meant to be, you don’t realize all the opportunities that will come flooding to you! I kept taking drama classes in school and learning about acting. Now, I only choose movies I want to participate in and follow my heart. I hope you guys carry yourselves on your path in a good way, too.”
Adam starred in 65 or 70 movies, “but you’ve likely only seen 10”, he said easily. He is currently producing a television show called Biindigen. It means ‘come in and sit down.’ It is about his grandma, and the set will be a replica of his grandma’s house. It will include teachings, dodems, and clans and deliver a message that viewers can apply to their lives. He is also establishing a film school in Winnipeg (where he is from) that he hopes schools will utilize to help students learn and explore their history as well as acting, creating sets, costumes, filming, editing video, sales/marketing…on and on the list went of possible career paths kids maybe haven’t thought about. Adam is trying to build movie theatres in every community, citing that innumerable movies are recorded but never viewed or distributed, especially ones with First Nations content and actors. “I want to show the world that we, as Native people, have opportunities to share and can provide opportunities for others” he shared. This was a theme carried throughout each classroom. Adam believes everyone who finishes high school should have a pathway to the work they want to do when they complete their schooling. Since he was in his 20s, Adam says it has been his dream for people to find an easier path to becoming an actor. In recounting his pathway, Adam said:
“You have to show up every day and finish when everyone finishes. Sleep is the hardest part. I had to be the best I could be because I’m only ever competing with myself, as he held his hand over his heart. One of our teachings as Anishinaabe is to ‘love who we are and the person we are becoming.’ We as a people have a language that is ours, and the importance of language transcends as we grow older and learn, Who am I? I learned my teachings of Anishinaabe when I was 16. Before that, I didn’t know what that was. I took a 7-day course called Flying on Your Own. It teaches about grief, emotions, death, addictions—carrying your trauma takes years to understand—it takes time to figure out emotions and what they mean in relation to the trauma we carry and how to heal. Smoke Signals is an exact replication of my childhood and adulthood. I would look at my life every day as I prepared for my role in the movie. I understood what it means to be real. That movie changed my life.”
Adam began his visit to Biidaaban in the Sunshine Room. He went to each classroom over the five hours he remained on-site. “We all have talents and special things to offer,” he told students and played a recording of a new song his daughter’s boyfriend, who is on the Autism spectrum, had recently recorded. Adam highly recommends exploring all art forms to connect with ourselves and others, be it music, acting, writing, or creating artwork. “Our voice can come through in any of these forms. Just be you. There’s no rush. You will find what makes you happy. And if there’s something you want todo in your life that you connect to, I want you to know that we’re here to support you,” he said.
Students were free to ask questions of Adam, and some included, “Which was your favourite movie you acted in?” (Squanto), “Did you ever live in Hollywood?”, (yes, but my family is moving to Ottawa, back to Canada to live now) and “Can you say the line from [insert movie title] for us?” Adam never rushed during his visit with classes, and his friendly, open nature, engaging smile, and presence radiated out to everyone he connected with. He posed for selfies with anyone who requested, autographed posters and hats, and sat down for Indian Tacos in the cafeteria, which the cooks (Stephen McLeod and Janice Stoneypoint) were proud to make for this distinguished guest. He played his drum (which he carried slung over his back) and sang solo as he concluded his visit.
The stories, songs, and messages Adam carried throughout his visit to Biidaaban will reach the minds and hearts of students and staff, inspiring them in ways they perhaps hadn’t considered; help them explore possibilities they didn’t know they had the ability or courage to pursue; or maybe the gentle nudge from someone they look up to, with the guidance and security, to believe that anything is possible. Adam’s message is clear: you can confidently be who you are.