October 14, 2025
BEAR IMAGE PRODUCTIONS, A FILMMAKER FROM the Ch’íyáqtel First Nation, collaborated with the Chilliwack Local Immigration Partnership in 2023 to produce Common Territory, a documentary that
weaves together the stories of newcomers and Indigenous peoples, exploring themes of displacement, belonging, and cultural preservation within the traditional territories of the Stó:lō peoples, known colonially as the Fraser Valley. Through intimate interviews with members of both the newcomer and Indigenous communities, “Common Territory” sheds light on their shared experiences of navigating and resisting assimilation into dominant Canadian culture, all while striving to maintain their distinctive cultural identities and connections to the land.
Two years after the film had its debut screenings in Chilliwack, Agassiz, and Hope in October 2023, it continues to be screened around the country. For example, it was screened on October 6, 2025 with a soup and bannock supper in Wynyard, Saskatchewan as part of the national Culture Days celebration that occurred from September 19 through October 12. Wynyard is part of the traditional territory of the Cree and Saulteaux Peoples covered by Treaty 6.
The film was screened in Humboldt, SK on May 29, 2025 by Connecting Grids Regional Immigration Partnership in collaboration with Horizon School Division, the Humboldt Art Gallery, and Prairie Gateway Settlement Services. Humboldt, in Treaty 4 territory, is near Fishing Lake First Nation, located southeast of the city, and George Gordon First Nation in the Touchwood Hills. Both are composed of Cree and Saulteaux Peoples.
The project manager of Connecting Grids had viewed Common Territory at the Pathways to Prosperity National Conference 2024 in Vancouver.
The film was also screened in Toronto on March 14, 2025 at the 27th Metropolis Canada Conference. Toronto is the traditional territory of many Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
As well, the Mennonite Church BC Indigenous Relations Task Group has screened the film in Abbotsford. Abbotsford is located on the traditional and unceded territories of the Stó:lō First Nations, including the Semá:th, Mathxwí, and Leq’á:mel First Nations. The area also overlaps with the territory of the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
Anyone may view the Common Territory trailer here. Organizations interested in hosting a screening may apply by emailing chilliwacklip@comserv.bc.ca with details about the planned event, including the type of audience, location, and how the host intends to use the documentary to engage their community or organization.
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We acknowledge that the land on which we work is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.