FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Lone Eagle
Director: Holly Fortier
Lone Eagle explores the life of Marty Wildman, an Indigenous stuntman, rodeo competitor, and mentor. Through his journey, the film examines themes of identity, trauma, healing, and resilience.
Marty grew up facing systemic racism, cultural erasure, and personal struggles, including abandonment, abuse, and addiction. He recounts his experiences in the film and television industry, where Indigenous actors were often overlooked or forced into stereotypes, fueling his determination to create opportunities for authentic representation. His passion led to the founding of Stunt Nations, a groundbreaking Indigenous-led stunt training program.
At the heart of Lone Eagle is Marty’s battle with alcoholism, culminating in a near-fatal car accident that became a turning point in his life. His path to recovery was shaped by his deep connection with horses, which he credits for his healing and newfound purpose. This bond inspired him to establish an equine therapy program for youth, offering guidance and support to those struggling with trauma and addiction.
The film also pays tribute to the influential figures in Marty’s life, particularly his uncle Art, who introduced him to the rodeo world and instilled values of perseverance and community. After Art’s passing, Marty continued his legacy, using rodeo and equine therapy to uplift Indigenous youth and reinforce cultural pride.
With heartfelt interviews and raw storytelling, Wildman is a moving testament to the power of resilience, the importance of reclaiming Indigenous identity, and the role of mentorship in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. Marty’s story is one of survival, transformation, and unwavering commitment to his people.
CAST & CREDITS
Director
Holly Fortier
DIRECTORS BIO
Holly Fortier, a filmmaker, cultural awareness trainer, and Elder from Fort McKay First Nation. She was born in Treaty 7 Territory and was fortunate to be raised by cultural leaders, academics, and activists. She owns a business specializing in the development and delivery of Indigenous Awareness Training. Since 2007, she has delivered training across Canada to thousands of participants from government, corporate clients, educators, service organizations, and first responders.
Her passion for sharing Indigenous history and culture stems from her mother’s inspirational survival from a childhood in an Indian Residential School. A story of courage, resilience, and eventual triumph, it became the subject of her first film, “A Mother’s Voice,” in 2019. Holly’s presentations extend beyond facts and statistics to include insightful personal testimonies delivered in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner. Attendees often describe her trainings as ‘life-changing,’ offering new perspectives on complex cultural issues.
Holly sees it as her mission to foster a relationship of respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. To this end, she founded Two Canoes Media in 2020.
In 2022, Holly’s film “Ayoungman”, about Melodie Ayoungman’s experience through the Canadian judicial system after the racially motivated murder of her son Kristian, won Best Albertan Short at the Calgary International Film Festival, Best Albertan Documentary at the Alberta Film and TV Awards, Best Documentary at the DOCAM Film Festival in Palm Springs, and was an official selection at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Her two previous films, “Dodginghorse” and “A Mother’s Voice,” were featured at the Dreamspeakers and Red Nation Film Festivals.
Holly has been involved in the Alberta film industry since the early 1990s, working on projects including ‘North of 60,’ ‘The Assassination of Jesse James,’ ‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,’ ‘The Revenant,’ and many documentaries.
She received the 2016 Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women Esquao Award for Culture, the 2018 Alberta Aboriginal Role Model Award, an Honorary Degree from Olds College in 2022, and the Alberta Chamber of Resources Indigenous Leadership Award in 2023.
Holly considers her greatest blessing to be the mother to her daughter and two sons, and Kokum to three granddaughters.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
As an Indigenous filmmaker, cultural awareness trainer, and Elder from Fort McKay First Nation, I carry a deep responsibility to tell stories that honour the lived experiences of our people—stories that challenge, heal, and ultimately, bridge understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
This documentary is more than just a film to me. It is a testament to resilience, a tribute to those who have endured the weight of history and found a way to reclaim their strength, their voice, and their culture.
At the heart of this story is the journey of an individual whose life, like so many of our people, has been shaped by intergenerational trauma, systemic barriers, and the fight for identity. But this is not just a story of struggle; it is a story of healing, resistance, and reclamation. It is about the power of connection—to land, to culture, to community, and to self.
My mother’s experience as a survivor of Indian Residential Schools has deeply informed my approach as a storyteller. I know firsthand how colonial policies and systemic discrimination have tried to erase our people’s identities, our languages, and our ways of being. And yet, we are still here. We are thriving. This film is a reflection of that survival—a counter-narrative to the Hollywood distortions that have historically misrepresented Indigenous people on screen.
Storytelling is an act of resistance and reclamation. It is about ensuring that our voices are heard, our stories are told on our own terms, and that the next generation sees themselves reflected in truth, not in stereotypes. This documentary is an opportunity to challenge perceptions, inspire action, and ignite conversations that lead to real change.
I hope that audiences—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—walk away from this film with a deeper understanding, a greater empathy, and a commitment to reconciliation. It is time for all of us to listen.
Holly Fortier
President, Two Canoes Media
SHOWTIMES
Wednesday, November 12
Screening: 3:15pm
Program Four
AMC The Grove 14
189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking
At The Theatre
