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Traditional Northwestern Native spiritual images combine with cutting-edge computer animation in this surreal story about the power of tradition. Three urban Native teens are whisked away to an imaginary land by a magical raven. Here, the young people meet a totem pole whose characters (a raven, a frog and a bear) come to life, becoming their teachers, guides and friends--demonstrating their significance to Northwest Native cultures and allowing the teens to understand the strength of their own traditions. Featuring a special interview segment with J. Bradley Hunt, the celebrated Northwest Coast Native artist on whose work the computer-animated characters in Totem Talk are based.

1997, 22 min

Totem Talk (PDF)

Award - Category: Best Children's Film
Hot Docs
February 18 to 22 1998, Toronto - Canada