Twice Colonized

Renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter has led a lifelong fight for the rights of her people. A member of a historically marginalized and oppressed community, Aaju’s heritage puts her in the unique position of someone who has been “twice colonized” – first by European settlers who arrived in the Arctic, and then by modern-day Canadian policies and institutions. But while launching an effort to establish an Indigenous forum at the EU, Aaju finds herself facing a difficult and deeply personal journey to mend her own wounds after the unexpected passing of her youngest son.

In this “powerful exploration of cultural trauma” (The Film Stage), director Lin Alluna follows alongside Aaju Peter as she strives to reclaim her language and identity after a lifetime of whitewashing and forced assimilation.

"As a case study in modern colonialism, Twice Colonized is an excellent choice. It occasionally lacks informational qualities, but it makes up for this in a thorough examination of what it is to be Indigenous in the modern world and what ways colonization has changed in the past 100 years. It is no longer as overt as it once was: Governments no longer seek to “kill the Indian to save the man.” Instead, they couch overreach and control mechanisms in the language of social justice, continuing their erasure of native cultures even as they espouse pride in them. Any library patrons or students interested in Inuit culture or the struggles of modern anti-colonial movements will be intrigued by Twice Colonized. Highly Recommended." - Video Librarian