Where the Spirit Lives
“A moving tribute to a young girl's courage and indomitable spirit...”
Synopsis
In 1937, a young First Nations girl named Ashtecome is kidnapped along with several other children from a village as part of a deliberate Canadian policy to force First Nations children to abandon their culture in order to be assimilated into white Canadian/British society. Taken to a boarding school where she's forced to adopt Western Euro-centric ways and learn English, often under brutal treatment, she has the support of one sympathetic white teacher.
Top Cast
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Michelle St. John
Komi / Amelia
Kim Bruisedhead Fox
Anataki
Marianne Jones
Komi's Mother
Gus Chief Moon
Ka - moos - ee
Clayton Julian
Pita / Abraham
Margaret Cozry
Grandmother
Marge Fox
Anataki's Mother
Ann-Marie MacDonald
Kathleen
Sean Mulcahy
Priest
Sam Malkin
Mr. Crawford
Doris Petrie
Miss Weir
Chapelle Jaffe
Miss Appleby
Tina Louise Bomberry
Asst. Supervisor #2
Barbara Wheeldon
Matron
John Friesen
Mr. Babcock
Heather Hess
Rachel
Cynthia Debassige
Esther
Franklin Doss
George
Release History & Theatrical Window
June 6, 1990
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bruce Pittman
- Screenplay & Story
- Keith Ross Leckie
- Original Score
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Original Title
- Where the Spirit Lives
- Country of Origin
- Canada
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Production Studios
- Atlantis Films, CBC, Amazing Spirit Productions Ltd.
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bruce Pittman
Keith Ross Leckie
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Rene Ohashi
Michael Todd
Eric Jordan, Heather Haldane, Paul Stephens, Scott Shepherd, Mary Young Leckie
Department Leadership Roster
Eric Jordan
Producer
Valanne Ridgeway
Production Design
Heather Haldane
Producer
Keith Ross Leckie
Writer
Bruce Pittman
Director
Scott Shepherd
Producer
Sylvie Krasker
Costume Design
Mary Young Leckie
Producer
Rene Ohashi
Director of Photography
Michael Todd
Editor
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Where the Spirit Lives.
Featured In Curated Collections
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NDN Archive
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Frequently Asked Questions About Where the Spirit Lives
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Where the Spirit Lives about?
In 1937, a young First Nations girl named Ashtecome is kidnapped along with several other children from a village as part of a deliberate Canadian policy to force First Nations children to abandon their culture in order to be assimilated into white Canadian/British society. Taken to a boarding school where she's forced to adopt Western Euro-centric ways and learn English, often under brutal treatment, she has the support of one sympathetic white teacher.
Who directed Where the Spirit Lives?
Where the Spirit Lives was directed by Bruce Pittman.
Who stars in Where the Spirit Lives?
The principal cast of Where the Spirit Lives includes Michelle St. John, Kim Bruisedhead Fox, Marianne Jones, Gus Chief Moon, Clayton Julian.
When was Where the Spirit Lives released and how long is it?
Where the Spirit Lives was released in 1990 with a total runtime of 1h 36m.
Who composed the musical score for Where the Spirit Lives?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Where the Spirit Lives was composed by Buffy Sainte-Marie.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Where the Spirit Lives?
Where the Spirit Lives holds official age classifications: CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).