More of Our Canada – July 2019

from my community, ones that reflected

my family’s experiences, when it dawned

on me—I have stories to tell and a voice

that is worth being heard.

So, I combined my experiences at the

Native Women’s Shelter and my passion

for Indigenous rights with my love for film,

and I wrote my debut feature film, Stolen,

which explores how the system plays a

part in the issue of missing and murdered

Indigenous women. It was a hugely em-

powering moment, and encouraged me to

continue telling stories. I have since turned

ABOUT THE ARTIST

DEVERY JACOBS

Devery was born and raised in Kahnawà:ke Mohawk

Territory and found her passion for the arts at a young

age. She has amassed a significant body of work in sev-

eral film and television productions includingAmerican

Gods, This LifeandCTV’sCardinal.

In 2017,Hollywood Reporternamed Devery as one of

Canada’s Rising Stars, which featured a list of breakout

actors who are making an impact in Hollywood. In the

same year, she was also honoured by Telefilm Canada at

the 2017 Birks Diamond Tribute, celebrating women

in film. Most recently, Devery was given the title of TIFF

Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

Devery’s other passion lies in Indigenous rights activ-

ism. She was the original founder of the Kahnawà:ke

Youth Forum where she led and organized protests and

rallies. She was also an active participant in the Idle No

More Movement. Most recently, Devery has been focus-

ing her activism through her art, hoping to create change

within communities, and to alter the perspective of

how Indigenous people are seen.

For more information about Devery’s career in front

of and behind the camera, and her multiple projects and

pursuits, please visit http://www.deveryjacobs.com.

SONIA PRIMERANO

CHRISTIAN FORTINO, WATRVISION

BELL MEDIA / CTV

28 More of Our Canada JULY 2019