Pernell Bad Arm was a man, not a meme. That’s the lesson Damien Eagle Bear would like us to take away from this compassionate and revealing film about the Kainai man he knew from a homeless shelter in Lethbridge. In the meme that took hold on social media a decade ago, Pernell was flushed and apparently ready to fight, probably the (unknown) guy who took the picture — it was an image that played to certain stereotypes of Indigeneity, brought home by the aggressive caption, #skoden (“Let’s go, then”). Eagle Bear interviews friends, family and case workers who knew Pernell to be anything but a trouble maker; he emerges as a decent man who struggled to transcend his rough upbringing. The challenges were very real and of course they’re far from unique, but there’s something heartening about this act of reclamation all the same.
Jun 20: Q&A with director Damien Eagle Bear
A thoughtful engaging film, #skoden is well worth seeing.
Mark Glassman, POV magazine
Damien Eagle Bear
Canada
2025
English
Canadian Filmmaker Award, Hot Docs; Best BC Director, DOXA
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Credits
Executive Producer
Priyanka Desai
Producer
Damien Eagle Bear
Screenwriter
Damien Eagle Bear
Cinematography
Tamarra Canu
Editor
Billy Calling First, Jasleen Kaur, Kane Stewart
Original Music
Melody McKiver
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