12,000 years ago, snow and ice covered the land, as we have learned from the land itself. John Clipping remembered that event as a multi-generational span of consciousness. He embodies that memory. John spoke no English, like many of his generation who lived on the tundra and forest west of Hudson Bay. He was the one the other Elders came to for the pruning and care of the memories each held. It was amazing to see the old people gathered on the floor of the cabin and into the porch... drinking tea and reviewing the great stories they knew, all day and into the night.

One day John told us to bring the first piece of equipment we ever owned as film-makers (a reel to reel tape recorder) because he had something to say. He simply wanted the recordings to "go out to the World". In the background you can hear the night sounds of the log cabins beyond the walls of the tent. You can hear the dogs and the wind. This short and simple animation is constructed around an uninterrupted recording made 42 years ago... only a moment, compared to what this legend represents. 

Credits

• Storyteller: John Clipping

• Produced, Directed, Translated by: Mary Code

• Produced, Cinematography, and Edited by: Allan Code

• Animation by: Andrew Sharp

• Funding by: Canada Council for the Arts