PLOT : In British Columbia, the Tla’amin Nation calls for the city of Powell River to reconsider its name, which honours a government official responsible for policies that harmed Indigenous communities. What begins as a request for recognition sparks an emotional debate about history, identity, and reconciliation. Through personal testimonies, archival records, and community discussions, Namesake explores the lasting impact of colonialism and the meaning behind the places we call home. As residents confront difficult truths and differing perspectives, the documentary reveals how a name can carry generations of history, challenging a community to consider what reconciliation truly means for its future.
DIRECTORS. ƛɛsla Dr. Evan Adams and t̓agəm Eileen Francis are Tla’amin filmmakers dedicated to Indigenous storytelling, cultural preservation, and community representation. Adams is a physician, actor, and filmmaker recognized for his performances in Smoke Signals (1998) and Reservation Dogs, as well as his work advocating for Indigenous health. Francis, a graduate of Capilano University's Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking program, has worked with APTN and served as a cultural consultant on Bones of Crows. Together, they co-directed Namesake (2026), a documentary exploring the Tla’amin Nation's efforts to reclaim Indigenous place names and encourage meaningful conversations about history, identity, and reconciliation.
Length 1h 16min
Year 2026
