U.S. PREMIERE
Ahkameyimok "To Persevere"
Director: Vernon Boldick, Jenna Drover
Ahkameyimok: To Persevere explores the lasting impacts of colonization and highlights the transformative work of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, an urban Indigenous non-profit in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Through the stories of Ashley, Mike, and Joanne, the film shows how Bent Arrow connects people to culture and community. A leader in the city, Bent Arrow’s programs inspire hope, foster belonging, and demonstrate the power of culturally grounded support in building brighter futures.
CAST & CREDITS
Director
Vernon Boldick, Jenna Drover
Producer
Vernon Boldick
DIRECTORS BIO
Vernon Boldick is a filmmaker and communications professional based in Edmonton, Alberta. From 2021 to 2023, he served as the Head of Communications at Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society—one of Canada’s largest urban Indigenous non-profits. His time there inspired Ahkameyimok (2025), a powerful documentary that celebrates Bent Arrow’s impact and commitment to healing through culture and community. The film has screened at festivals around the world, earning recognition for its uplifting and authentic portrayal of Indigenous Culture in Canada.
Vernon’s broader body of work focuses on social justice, including the acclaimed documentaries A Chance to Speak and Anchors. His storytelling is grounded in community and driven by a belief in the transformative power of visibility and voice.
Outside of filmmaking, Vernon explores life through stand-up comedy and lives with his wife and daughter in Edmonton.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
I first encountered Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society not through a camera lens, but through community. As the organization’s Communications Supervisor from 2021 to 2023, I witnessed first-hand the depth of care, cultural knowledge, and quiet power that fuels Bent Arrow’s work. Ahkameyimok—a Cree word meaning “to persevere”—was born out of a deep respect for the people who walk through Bent Arrow’s doors and the generations of strength they carry with them.
This film is not about tragedy—it’s about triumph. It honours Indigenous voices, traditions, and healing in an urban setting, and offers a window into what true community support looks like. At a time when the impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma are still being felt, Bent Arrow stands as a living answer: culture heals, connection heals, and community matters.
Throughout the filmmaking process, I worked in partnership with Bent Arrow staff and Elders, who provided guidance every step of the way. I made it a priority to bring Indigenous storytellers, writers, and directors behind the camera—ensuring the voices on screen were honoured and never filtered through an outside lens. We followed proper protocol, offered tobacco, and listened deeply to how each person wanted their story to be told. Some chose ceremony. Some chose humour. All chose honesty.
As a non-Indigenous filmmaker, I approached this work with humility and a commitment to listening. My role was never to interpret or explain, but to make space. Ahkameyimok is a love letter to Bent Arrow and a call to all of us: to show up for each other, to honour culture, and to never give up.
