Little Bird, a Stolen Life

 Adoption is a great idea.  A baby is unwanted, perhaps because of a marital situation, poverty, birth deformity, racial prejudice, etc.  At the same time there are couples unable to have their own baby, or want to help someone in need.  There may be some regret later when the adopted one questions their background.  

"Little Bird" (2023) has a different beginning.  The parents of children are judged by government agencies and sometimes Canadian whites feel indigenous families do not take care of their children properly.  Social workers overlook indigenous lifestyles and systemic poverty.  In one court room scene the social worker is made to seem self-righteous as that was realistic.  The policies of many Canadian provinces has since been labeled "Scoop" meaning indigenous children raised under deplorable circumstances (as decided by white Canadian standards) could be scooped up and given proper care with white Canadians.  

In this story the refrigerator is mostly empty.  However we have been made aware that the father is a hunter and usually is able to kill a significant part of their food.   The mother is frightened and tries to run away with three of her children.  They are stopped and three of the children taken into custody.  There is a court scene where the mother has no credibility.

Secrecy is supposed to protect both the adopting parents and the adoptee.  Whatever was agreed at the time changes do happen. In some instances maybe everyone would be better off not knowing.  Still in modern times there are medical concerns and more people are concerned about their family tree.  In this case workers can hide their behaviour behind laws.

In general, adoptions are a bit of a lottery.  The main character soon renamed Esther Rosenblum was adopted by a Jewish lawyer in Montreal.  She grew up Jewish and studied to be a lawyer.   She knew she had been adopted but not much else.  As she was getting engaged she became more conscious that her background had been put aside.  She felt she had to know more and went out west to her Saskatchewan origin.  

One brother strove to avoid becoming an indigenous stereotype and he clashed with another brother, a rock singer and very bitter.  There was antagonism between parts of the family.  One sister was also bitter and resentful.          

Showing another perspective,  Esther confronts her adoptive mother who points out they didn't know anything but what the adoption authorities told them.  They were told the children had been neglected.  They were advised to change her name to make the adjustment easier.  She was defensive, but allowed Esther to explore her background.  Over time she became more understanding.  She felt shocked and cheated.  At the time they wanted a child of their own.  In some ways there just are not enough babies to go around.

This gut wrenching series was done by some capable, motivated crew and staff, some of which are noted below.

Zoe Leigh Hopkins was a director and writer.  She has 21 directing credits, 9 for producing and 13 for writing, including "North of North" (2025).

Elle-Maija Tailfeathers was a director, executive producer and an actress.   Her ethnic background is Blackfoot and Sami (from Norway).  She has 24 acting credits, 10 for writing and 10 for directing including "The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open " (2022).   See    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/the-body-remembers-when-world-broke-open.html

Jennifer Podemski was a writer and producer.  Ethnically she is part Anshinbaabe and Askenazi.  She has 65 acting credits including "Dance Me Outside" (1994), "Fugitive Pieces" (2007), "Empire of Dirt" (2014) and "Departure" (2020).

Hannah Moscovith was a creator and writer.  She was a prominent playwright with one of her plays "This is War" starting in Toronto, but also being presented in the United States.  Hannah has been given the Governor General Award.  She has 5 writing credits, 4 for producing and 1 for acting.

Guy Godfree was the cinematographer.  He has 56 cinematography credits, 41 for the camera & electrical department and 1 for visual effects including "Maudie" (2016) and "Let Him Go" (2020).

Justin Lachance was an editor.  He has 46 editor credits, 4 for the editorial department and 3 for producer.

Carmen Kotyk was a casting director.  She has 97 casting credits, 51 for the casting department and  1 for additional crew including "The Englishman's Boy" (2008).

Darla Contois played Esther Rosenblum/Beziq Little Bird.  She has 13 acting credits.

Keris Hope Hill played  the 4 year old Beziq Little Bird.  She is from the Six Nations of the Grand River.  She has 4 acting credits, including "Rosie" (2012)

Ellyn Jade played Patti Little Bird.  She has 10 acting credit and 1 for producing.

Alana Bale played Adele Halpern.  She has 6 acting credits including one episode of "Transplant" (2020).

Eric Schweig played Asin.  Born in Inuvik he has become a master of Innuit carvings and masks.  He is part German and Innuit.  He has 49 acting credits including "Last of the Mohicans" (1992),"Skins" (2002), "Kissed by Lightning" (2009), "The Grizzlies" (2018) and "One Battle After Another" (2025).   See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/an-unexpected-canadian-film-gem.html

Lisa Edelstein played Golda Rosenblum.  She is perhaps most famous for a main role in "House" (153 episodes),  She has 95 acting credits, 4 for producing and 3 for writing including "Keeping the Faith" (2000), "The Good Wife" (2011) and "The Kominsky Method" (2018).  

Braden Clarke played Leo.  He has 11 acting credits including "North of North"(2025).   

I picked this up at my local library, but it likely is available streaming.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  The links give more detailed information.

 Not too long ago we celebrated Truth and Reconciliation Day commemorating the  tragedy of the residential indigenous program that started in 1831 and dragged on to 1996.  The Scoops program ran from the 1950's right up to 1980's reflecting the same mentality that the indigenous needed to assimilate into Canadians.  We have not quite escaped the mentality, but some steps have been taken and perhaps an early step is acknowledging our own sins.  Humans everywhere tend to fear the unknown. 

For about six months of my life I was involved with adoptions.  My role was with those seeking a child and who were concerned if I would approve of them.  I never consciously met any people giving up a child, but read a few of their personal profiles, some from a relatively wealthy educated family, but others were of poor background.  For me it was an education, for others a focus.  I was about 22 or 23 and had a lot to learn.