Film Lens
Colonization Road is a Canadian documentary directed by Michelle St. John, focusing on the impact of Ontario's historic colonization road system on First Nations people. Hosted by comedian Ryan McMahon, the film begins in his hometown of Fort Frances, Ontario, and examines how these roads have influenced contemporary highway systems and the ongoing legacy of colonization. The film also addresses the presence of streets named Colonization Road in various towns, prompting discussions about renaming these roads.
The film premiered theatrically at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in October 2016 and later aired on CBC Television's documentary series Firsthand on January 26, 2017. At the 6th Canadian Screen Awards in 2018, it was nominated for the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social or Political Documentary Program, indicating its recognition within the Canadian film community.
Why Watch
- •Meet Ryan McMahon in his hometown of Fort Frances.
- •Find out about Ontario's colonization road system.
- •See the debate over renaming Colonization Road.
Did You Know
•The film premiered at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in October 2016.
•Ryan McMahon is both the host and a comedian featured in the film.
•The film was nominated for the Donald Brittain Award at the 6th Canadian Screen Awards in 2018.
•Some towns in Ontario still have a street named Colonization Road.
Perfect For
Canadian historyIndigenous rightsSocial justice activism