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Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ film witnesses radical and profound change in her community. Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy is an intimate portrait of survival, love and the collective work of healing in the Kainai First Nation in Southern Alberta, a Blackfoot community facing the impacts of substance use and a drug-poisoning epidemic.  

Community members active in addiction and recovery, first responders and medical professionals implement harm reduction to save lives. This work is contextualized within the historical and contemporary impacts of settler colonialism; Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy draws a connecting line between the effects of colonial violence on Blackfoot land and people and the ongoing substance-use crisis.  

Held in love and hope for the future, Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy asks the audience to be a part of this remarkable change with the community.

2021, 124 min 50 s

Kímmapiiyipitssini : la voie de l'empathie

Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary Award
Canadian Screen Awards
April 4 to 10 2022, Toronto - Canada

Best Musical Score
International Women in Film Festival
March 14 2022, Vancouver - Canada

Impact Award
International Women in Film Festival
March 14 2022, Vancouver - Canada

Best Canadian Documentary
Vancouver Film Critics Association Awards
March 7 2022, Vancouver - Canada

Audience Choice Award, Canadian Documentary Feature
International Film Festival
September 23 to October 3 2021, Calgary - Canada

Inspiring Voices & Perspectives Feature Film Award
Cinefest
September 18 to 26 2021, Sudbury - Canada

Colin Low Award for Best Canadian Director
Doxa - Documentary Film and Video Festival
May 6 to 16 2021, Vancouver - Canada

Emerging Canadian Filmmaker Award
Hot Docs
April 29 to May 9 2021, Toronto - Canada

Rogers Audience Award
Hot Docs
April 29 to May 9 2021, Toronto - Canada