Albert Ward was a highly regarded Mi'kmaq Elder from Eel Ground First Nation and a very dear
friend and teacher to my family. This recording was the last time we spoke to him, and the first
time I had met him since infancy.
My mother traveled with Albert for many years as a Shkaabewis, a word which I have been
taught to understand as both “helper” and “student”. I grew up listening to her adventures with
Albert and the many stories he told. With this film, I hope to share how it felt to listen to those
stories, how it felt to listen to Albert himself, and how it felt to love him.
“On and On and On” was filmed during the pandemic on the sacred ceremonial lands of my
home territory, following the pathways and protocols specific to my family and to myself as a
disabled artist. This film holds great personal significance for me. I believe that Albert’s message
and teachings are important and should be shared with (and hopefully understood by) as many
people as possible.
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Evelyn PakinewatikEvelyn Pakinewatik is a queer, disabled filmmaker from Nipissing FN. An artist raised by artists, Evelyn traveled with their parents to teach traditional arts in Indigenous communities across Ontario and Québec. Reciprocity continues to motivate Evelyn’s creative process as they seek to practice anti-colonial survivance through an inclusive lens.