Totem Talk

Traditional Northwestern Native spiritual images combine with cutting-edge computer animation in this surreal story about the power of tradition. Three urban Native teens are whisked away to an imaginary land by a magical raven. Here, the young people meet a totem pole whose characters (a raven, a frog and a bear) come to life, becoming their teachers, guides and friends- demonstrating their significance to Northwest Native cultures and allowing the teens to understand the strength of their own traditions.

Three Native Teens, Raven, Frog, Bear

Featuring a special interview segment with J. Bradley Hunt, the celebrated Northwest Coast Native artist on whose work the computer-animated characters in "Totem Talk" are based.

Best Children's Film, Hot Docs, Toronto, 1998