Winnipeg premiere of film on the life Elder Betty Ross at CMHR on April 16

Press Release

Winnipeg – April 8, 2025 – As a young girl, Elder Betty Ross was abandoned, adopted, and then kidnapped and taken to St. Joseph’s residential school at just eight years old. As a girl from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (also known as Cross Lake First Nation), Ross held the sacred teachings of her father like a torch to survive the Indian residential school system.

Elder Ross will lead a free screening of a docudrama about her life at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) on April 16 as part of an ongoing nation‐wide tour taking her from coast to coast to coast.

In this film, you will experience her journey of survival. Cinematic reenactments bring to life unimaginable hardships and euphoric moments of freedom, interwoven with present‐day footage of Elder Ross as she returns to the falls of her childhood for the first time in more than 70 years.

“There is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that washes over me as I make my way down the riverbank…. These sacred waters are my beacon of strength, resilience, and determination. They are the reason I survived the residential school. Now is the time. The time for me to share my story with all nations as I make my return to the falls.” – Elder Betty Ross in Return to the Falls.

Following the film, Elder Betty Ross will engage in a Q&A with the audience.

Elder Betty Ross is available for pre‐scheduled interviews on April 8, 9, 10 with at least one day’s notice via media contact listed.

What: Return to the Falls: film screening and conversation

When: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

5:30 p.m. – Doors open

6 p.m. – Opening reception

6:30–8:30 p.m. – Program and film screening

8:30–9 p.m. – Closing reception

Where: Bonnie & John Buhler Hall, Level 1, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Tickets: Free with registration

The CMHR is honoured to bring this free public screening to audiences in Treaty 1 Territory in partnership with Black Badge Studios, Norway House Cree Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) with the generous financial support of WestJet.

Media contacts

Amanda Gaudes (she/her)
Media relations specialist
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
204-299-0303
Amanda.Gaudes@humanrights.ca

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