THE GRIZZLIES: An Underdog Sports Film That Tackles Indigenous Youth Issues

The Grizzlies moves fluently as a standard underdog sports film; however, much darker elements are present in the film’s emotionally raw plot. This is revealed in the opening scene of a young man trekking across the Arctic with his dog, which is an innocent act. However, the daunting end of this scene sets the tone for the film instantly. The intentions for this scene are to give the audience perspective on the importance of recognizing the issues of suicide in Indigenous youth.

Directed by Miranda de Pencier, The Grizzlies is a sports drama set in 2004, based on an inspirational true story of a high-school teacher who goes to great lengths to engage his students. Russ Sheppard journeys to Kugluktuk, Nunavut, an isolated town with the highest suicide rate in Canada. There, Sheppard finds himself orchestrating a house league lacrosse team in order to inspire his students after witnessing the effects of a harrowing suicide of one of his students.

The film’s recognition of the past

The Grizzlies is an impactful story because of its determination to reveal the hard truths of intergenerational trauma and the issue of high rates of suicide in Indigenous youth through carefully cultivated storylines of each individual teen. Intergenerational trauma; a trauma that is transferred from one generation of trauma survivors onto their children, so on and so forth, affects many families and communities.

Residential Schools are briefly mentioned in The Grizzlies while Sheppard has a heartfelt conversation with one of his students, Kyle, who endures abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father, a survivor of the residential school system. The effects of intergenerational trauma are not always easily seen, proven in the film when Sheppard struggles to relate to his students as he does not comprehend the severity of the circumstances at hand.

Sheppard represents those who are in the dark, who do not see behind the missed homework or the lack of school attendance, or even the bravery to raise a hand in class. Those who suffer with trauma often suffer in silence, which is a pattern that Sheppard breaks in The Grizzles as he grows as an individual who can connect with his students in order to give them an opportunity to chase their dreams and add fuel to their passions.

The students become the teacher

Youth are often faced with the struggle of finding their identity, yet it is a two way street in The Grizzlies, as Sheppard and his students learn from one another in the ways of culture, sport and respect. As an outsider, Sheppard arrives in Kugluktuk as a man who only sees life through universal rose coloured glasses. He is unaware of the hardships these students face at home and he must learn these heartbreaking truths, that not everything is so black and white.

Sheppard’s eyes are rightfully opened when he comes face to face with the harsh reality of a suffering group of Indigenous youth who are empowered once that power within them is unearthed, especially when one student gives him a swift punch to the face the first day of class.

Sheppard’s mentor role is expanded as he observes the community that has lost the expectations for change, as he believes he can give the students the determination to fight for something bigger, to harness their passion and skills as a team. The film wonderfully establishes a sense of belonging as Sheppard pursues the opportunity to show his students there are reasons to live and learns how to create a personal bridge of communication and trust within their relationships. The students, as teammates, become one and their efforts and teamwork inspires the rest of Kugluktuk; it expresses the opportunity for a new dawn on the horizon for the community.

The Grizzlies is a film about suicide prevention and demonstrating a voice for Indigenous youth, as much as it is about lacrosse. The film narrates an enigmatic story that is truly a dynamic rollercoaster of heartbreak and hope, leadership and comradery, acceptance and strength.

A brilliant cast and creation of atmosphere

In her feature debut as director, Miranda de Pencier develops the plot of The Grizzlies as rhythmic and considerate, the characters’ growth recognizable as the cast explore their narratives as the film hosts a plethora of well-constructed young characters with genuine ambition and an authenticity that breaks and warms the heart all at once. A cast excellently selected with members such as Ben Schnetzer, Emerald MacDonald, Will Sasso, Tantoo Cardinal, Booboo Stewart and Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan, to name a few.

Breathtaking performances from all characters coexist with the design for the film with snippets of humour to tickle the audiences’ funny bones. The moments reserved for careful contemplation were not overshadowed by the thrumming anticipation of an impending lacrosse tournament that ignites a team spirit gleefulness in the audience. To add more to the pot, the execution of the shots of the Nunavut Arctic were scenic, compelling and enacted a simple serenity.

The Grizzlies: Conclusion

The Grizzlies, at first glance, is a sports film about a group of kids coached by a high-school teacher. Overall, it is a film of such genuine heart and soul that it evokes a deeper emotion and recognition within. It is a wonderfully composed piece completed with authentic Indigenous music, culture and traditions that are both educational and sincere. A film that is laced with pride and hope without the frilly details of any other sports film, The Grizzlies is all about grit, raw and tender moments of belonging and the strength to continue on.

What do you think about the use of sports to battle mental health issues in young people? Name a sports film that resonated with you in retrospect to overcoming life’s obstacles.

The Grizzlies is currently only available in theatres across Canada.