FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Documentary | Canada | 45 MINUTES | Cree, English
Under the Arbor
Director: Hayley Morin
Under the Arbor is a vibrant vérité documentary that follows a cast of Indigenous performers through a summer on the Powwow trail in Alberta. From dancers and singers to MCs and drum groups, the film offers an intimate look at the joy, struggle, and community that defines life under the arbor.
Directed by Nehiyaw filmmaker Hayley Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation, the film brings audiences behind the scenes, from dressing rooms to dance competitions to family campgrounds, capturing the living culture of Powwow with humour, heart, and cinematic beauty. A celebration of resilience and identity, Under the Arbor is both a love letter to tradition and a testament to its ongoing evolution.
CAST & CREDITS
Director
Hayley Morin
Producer
Mackenzie Stannard, Hayley Morin
Writer
Hayley Morin, Mackenzie Stannard
Key Cast
Fawn Wood
DIRECTORS BIO
Hayley Morin is an award-winning nehiyaw (Cree) filmmaker from the Maskêkosihk Enoch Cree Nation on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta. Hayley’s deep-rooted connection to her land, culture, and community informs every aspect of her storytelling. She is known for creating work that is emotionally resonant, visually powerful, and grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing.
Hayley began her filmmaking journey as a youth mentor and community advocate, later transitioning into documentary producing and now directing. Her work has screened at festivals across Canada and is recognized for its authenticity, care, and Indigenous-led approach. Under the Arbor marks her broadcast directorial debut, showcasing her commitment to highlighting Indigenous joy, culture, and resilience through the lens of the Powwow trail.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
Under the Arbor is a love letter to my community. As a nehiyaw woman who grew up dancing and attending Powwows, I’ve always known the power these gatherings hold, how they bring families together, carry our teachings, and offer a space to express ourselves freely and fully. This film is a chance to honour that world, to celebrate the beauty of our traditions, and to share the humour, heart, and strength that define life on the Powwow trail.
In directing this documentary, I wanted to create space for our voices to be heard on our own terms. The people in this film are not just performers; they are knowledge keepers, artists, aunties, uncles, and youth leading the next generation. It was important for me to show them not only in regalia, but also at home, in the quiet moments where their true strength and love for their culture shines.
Returning Filmmaker
SHOWTIMES
Wednesday, November 12
Screening 4:50pm
In Person
Post Screening Guest:
Hayley Morin, Mackenzie Stannard
AMC The Grove 14
189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking
At The Theatre
