WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) (2024)

A powerful Canadian documentary examining intergenerational trauma and healing through intimate conversations with Indigenous residential school Survivor-Warriors and their families.

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) - Movie Information

  • Original Title: WaaPaKe
  • Release Year: 2024
  • Directed by: Jules A. Koostachin
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Runtime: 1h 20m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Production Companies: ONF | NFB
  • Production Countries: Canada

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) - Plot

WaaPaKe is a story about resilience, love and transformation. Examined through an Indigenous lens, the stories of residential school Survivor-Warriors and their families offer an understanding of both intergenerational trauma and healing. We are taken to a studio set-up in front of a green screen. Through compassionate, candid conversations, Jules Koostatchin shares interviews with five individuals, family and friends, that all directly or indirectly experienced intergenerational trauma.

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) - Trailer

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WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Jules A. Koostachin

Main Cast

  • Rita Okimawinninew
  • Asivak Koostachin
  • Joseph Dandurand
  • Maisie Smith
  • Jules A. Koostachin
  • Pawaken Koostachin-Chakasim
  • Tapwewin Chakasim
  • Mahiigan Koostachin
  • Connor Nichol
  • Lynn Power

Writers

  • Jules A. Koostachin

Producers

  • Teri Snelgrove

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) - FAQs

What is WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) about?

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) is a deeply personal documentary that follows filmmaker Jules A. Koostachin as she sits down with five family members and friends — all touched by residential school trauma — to explore intergenerational pain, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward healing through an Indigenous lens.

Is WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) based on real stories?

Yes, every story in WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) is real. The film features candid conversations with actual residential school Survivor-Warriors and their families, making it a powerful firsthand account of intergenerational trauma and the healing paths Indigenous communities continue to walk today.

Where can you stream WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)?

You can stream WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, and you can watch it for free with ads on The Roku Channel and Fawesome.

What does WaaPaKe mean in the film's title?

WaaPaKe is a Cree word meaning "tomorrow." The title reflects the documentary's forward-looking spirit — while the film honestly confronts the wounds of residential schools and intergenerational trauma, it ultimately looks ahead toward healing, hope, and a better future for Indigenous families and communities.

Who directed WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)?

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) was directed by Jules A. Koostachin, an Indigenous filmmaker who also appears in the documentary herself. She conducts the intimate interviews at the heart of the film, bringing a deeply personal and culturally grounded perspective to the subject matter.

How is WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) structured as a documentary?

The film takes a distinctive approach, setting up a studio with a green screen as its backdrop. Against this spare, focused environment, Jules A. Koostachin conducts compassionate, candid one-on-one conversations with five individuals — family and friends — each sharing their experience of intergenerational trauma and healing.

Is WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) worth watching?

Absolutely. WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) is a moving, intimate documentary that brings Indigenous voices to the forefront with honesty and care. Critics and audiences have praised its compassionate approach to difficult subject matter, and it stands as an important piece of storytelling about resilience, love, and the path toward healing.

Who produced WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)?

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) was produced by Teri Snelgrove under the banner of ONF | NFB — the National Film Board of Canada. The NFB has a long tradition of supporting documentary filmmaking, and this project continues that legacy with a vital story about Indigenous resilience and intergenerational healing.

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