Hollywood blockbuster The Revenant has something in common with VCH
VCH’s National First Nations ReAct Manual and tools include video dramatizations depicting various forms of abuse of elders to raise awareness and to break the silence. Staying true to the vision, the producer Micheal Auger, Sakaw Iywinoywak Nation, recruited an all Aboriginal cast and crew for the videos. One of those actors was Duane Howard who plays Elk Dog, a character in the Oscar nominated movie The Revenant.
- See a story about Duane’s role in The Revenant
- See Duane in the John’s Story video, in the VCH National First Nations ReAct Manual.
“When I saw Duane depicting Charlie, the abusive son in the ReAct John’s Story video, the hair on the back of my neck stood up! His portrayal was so powerful,” said project lead Amanda Brown from ReAct. Duane brings an authenticity to the role that resonates with clinicians. “I got an even bigger chill when I saw Duane up there on the big screen alongside Leonardo DiCaprio! I’m so thrilled for his success and so thankful to him for his contributions to our project.”
The videos in the interactive National First Nations ReAct Manual were created in partnership with Health Canada, First Nations Inuit Health Branch and the BC Association of Community Response Networks. The resource continues to be used nationally to raise awareness, help communities to create coordinated responses and to train community health and social service workers to recognize, report and act on adult abuse and neglect.