Carcross Tagish First Nation
Behind every piece of art within the Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CTFN) is a profound history of survival and sovereignty. While the legacy of the Chooutla Residential School and the restrictive policies of the Indian Act once sought to erode the cultural fabric of the Yukon’s Indigenous peoples, the artists of CTFN are reclaiming their narrative through creation.
This documentary is a testament to the resilience of a Self-Governing Nation. It is not an outside perspective; it is a story told from within, narrated by Christle Moulton, sister of former Chief Linda Dickson.
Status: Post Production
Location: Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada
Timeline: Principal photography completed Summer 2025
Our StoryThis project is filmed with the direct cooperation of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. The narrative is guided by the voices of the community, ensuring that the story of CTFN is told by the people who live it.
George Poulin | The Elder & The Living Victory
George Poulin is the heartbeat of this project. A survivor of the Chooutla Residential School whose life and work are a direct victory over a system that sought to silence his culture. While he began as a painter, George’s transition into professional design saw his reach become international within just a few years, with his work found from the Northwest Territories to Ireland.
Recognized by masters such as Dempsey Bob and Stan Bevan, George represents the "rarefied heights" of Indigenous art. His process is a bridge between eras: he begins with tactile pencil-and-paper sketches before transitioning into the digital realm. A move he now views as vital for protecting cultural sovereignty and copyright against the emerging threats of AI and unauthorized duplication.
For our founder, Michael Angelo Brown, this project is a full-circle journey. George’s posters on the walls of Michael’s grade school were the first sparks that drew him toward his own culture as a child. To mark their time together in Carcross, George presented Michael with an eagle feather, a symbol of the highest trust and a reminder that the language once forbidden is now a bridge to the future.
Linda Dickson | The Weaver of Sovereignty
Linda Dickson, known by her Tlingit name Shkooteen, represents the cultural continuity and leadership of a Self-Governing Nation. Her family history is a map of the North, tracing a lineage that moved from Juneau and Sitka across the Chilkoot and White Passes to settle in the Yukon. As a former Chief of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CTFN), Linda carries the weight of community leadership alongside a lifetime of artistic dedication.
A master of traditional beadwork, knitting, and sewing, Linda’s hands carry the knowledge of four generations. She began her journey at age eleven, mentored by her grandmother, and continues to produce the regalia and functional art that define Tlingit and Tagish identity. Her heritage is one of industriousness and preservation; her grandfather worked his entire life on the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad while dedicating his spare time to crafting traditional snowshoes and fishnets—a testament to maintaining cultural roots while navigating a changing world.
Linda’s voice provides the foundational vision of the film, framing the CTFN not as a nation defined by historical trauma, but as one defined by its future and the constant encouragement of the next generation to keep their traditions alive.
Thomas Fawcett | The Carver & The Mirroring Eagles
Thomas is the physical pulse of the project. A prolific metalworker and carver, his resilience is found in the rhythmic strike of a hammer and the precision of a chisel. After 12 days of filming, Thomas presented me with an eagle feather and a hand engraved copper bracelet featuring two eagles mirroring each other. Thomas has asked us to represent his art as he continues to carve the future of his people into copper and wood.
The Weight of the Story: Reciprocity and Sacred Medicine
A project of this depth is never a solo endeavor; it is built on the foundation of community hospitality. My deepest gratitude goes to Sarah Kelly, a Cree woman who opened her home to me in the Chooutla subdivision throughout the filming process. Before I departed for the southern legs of this journey, Sarah gifted me a braid of sweetgrass. A sacred medicine to carry as a blessing for the road ahead. This sweetgrass was braided by Daisy and Harold Gatensby.
In Indigenous storytelling, the story does not belong to the filmmaker. it is held in trust. This reciprocity is materialized in the items I now carry: the two eagle feathers gifted by George and Thomas for protection, the "Mirroring Eagles" copper bracelet from Thomas, and Sarah's sweetgrass. With Christle Moulton guiding the narrative, we ensure the "Vista Larga" (the large vision) of the CTFN remains within the family and the Nation. These symbols, and the kindness of people like Sarah, serve as the moral compass for every mile of this journey.
The weight of the journey held in trust. Thomas’s eagle feather and Sarah’s hand-braided sweetgrass atop Alstrom Point, serving as a moral compass as we move from the Arctic to the Andes.
The Sustainability Cycle: Support the Artisans
The mission of Every Picture a Poem is built on reciprocity. At the request of the artists, we are proud to act as a direct liaison for those interested in bringing a piece of Carcross/Tagish heritage into their own lives.
In a gesture of incredible generosity, Thomas Fawcett has committed 50% of all sales generated through this platform to the EPAP Documentary Fund. While this commission was offered as a personal gift, it is being donated in full to support the ongoing production and equipment needs for our upcoming expeditions in Central and South America.
Inquire About Custom Commissions:
Thomas Fawcett: Hand-engraved copper and silver jewelry and traditional wood carvings.
Linda Dickson: Authentic Tagish weaving and traditional handiwork.
