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film by Diane Mackay Speaking the Truth Has Risks recounts his brief but terrifying childhood experiences at the Kuper Island residential school. In the several days that Harry attended the institution, he witnessed the suicide of cousin and the drown ing death of another relative during a desperate escape attempt _ Harry himself managed to leave the school by hanging onto a log and swimn ling off the island. The entire episode left Harry with deep emotional scars, and he blames much of his subsequent inner rage on this event. It is Thursday, November 14, 1996, and a large crowd has gathered at the Squaniish Nation Recreation Centre to watch the premiere screening of O'siem, a new film by Gillian Darling Kovanic and her husband Rudi Kovanic. O'siem is a Halq'emeylem phrase meaning "Thank-you for the words." For 54 minutes the image of local resident Eugene Harry dominates the video screen, quietly relaying stories of his life and heritage. The eclectic audience of young and old, families and teenagers, all seem deeply moved by Harry's words. The crowd remains expectant and attentive even as the credits role and the last notes of Susan Aglukark's song "O'siem" dissolve into the background. Eugene Harry, a minister in the Squamish Indian Shaker Church, is widely respected for his spiritual commitment to his community. Harry is very knowledgeable about the traditions of his people, and in the film he performs important rites, including the ritual cleansing of his canoe. Canoeing and spiritualism are closely linked in Salish culture. Harry is actively involved in both canoeing and dragonboat racing, regarding these sports as a form of healing and self-discipline. O'siem highlights Harry's participation in community and family life. He is a counselor who works with people on a variety of problems ranging from depression to marital breakdown. In 0 'siem, Harry roams jail cells and hospital wards to speak with people who have requested his help. The film emphasizes Hany's devotion to his wife, Wendy, and their large family of natural and adopted children. The film suggests that Harry's warm relationship with his own adopted father is revisited in the bond between Harry and his adopted children. The relationships Harry has established are astonishing as O'siem reveals how he spent the early years of his life locked in a vicious cycle of self-destniction and despair. Harry PA strong spiritual presence in the room and persuaded doctors not to disconnect the man's life support systems. Harry communicated with Nex's spirit, bringing him back into the waking world and paving the way for Nex's recovery. While some may be tempted to regard Harry's spiritual abilities with skepticism, there is little doubt about the power of Harry's stories. It was Harry's strength as a storyteller that convinced the Kovanics to make him the subject of their film. "He started to tell me these stories and my ears were just burning." Gillian explains, "He tells amazing stories so we decided that this was the first project we really wanted to work on together." The Kovanics own Tamarin Productions, a newly incorporated independent film company based on Bowen Island. Gillian had just completed The Washing of Tears, a documentary about the people of Nootka Island, when the couple encountered Eugene Harry. O'siem quickly became a labour of love for the Kovanics. The filmmakers waived all personal fees and set about scouring the country for financial backers. A brief glance at the film's credits reveals a diverse list of contributors ranging from the Saskatchewan Communications Network to Vision T V and the Knowledge Network. The film's broad-based support came as a pleasPortrait of Eugene Harry. Photo: Bob Semeniuk. Harry's spiritual awakening occurred during a particularly bleak period in his life. After years of alcohol and substance abuse. Harry found himself in jail asking his creator for help. It was here, in his prison cell, that Harry believes he received an otherworldly visitation. The experience changed him. Harry was released from prison into the custody of his aunt. Josephine Grant, a Shaker church minister for the Musqueam Tribal Nation. Under his aunt's guidance. Harry was able to renounce his destructive lifestyle and become an active participant in the church. As he became more involved with spiritual issues, Harry began to realize that he had a powerful connection with the spirit world. Although Harry refuses to call himself a healer, many in his community regard him as a conduit for greater powers, a man attuned to the spirits that reside within people. The film dramatically illustrates Harry's spiritual gifts in the story of Will Nex. Nex is in the hospital, unconscious, with severe burns covering 90% of his body, when Harry first encounters him. Nex was not expected to survive his injuries. Harry immediately sensed Nex's