A new short filmed in Sooke and Langford aims to rally support for land preservation and provide opportunities for Indigenous actors.

Written and produced (plus costumes designed) by Colwood resident Valerie Frances Oliver, Mary Two Bears tells the story of a peaceful northern Indigenous reserve, focusing on a small family preserving their traditional lifestyle that must defend itself as development encroaches on their land and natural resources.

Oliver, a Metis woman originally from Ontario, has been an actress for almost 12 years, appearing in a couple of short films, but this is her first time leading a production. Oliver wrote the script years ago and learned some of the ropes during her acting roles B次元官网网址� she also teamed up with Victoria-based director Sarah Nicole Faucher to help film the movie in Langford and Sooke Potholes over May long weekend.

While Oliver wore a number of different hats during the production (including a black cowboy hat), she said B次元官网网址渢he community really came togetherB次元官网网址� to help with the production.

Langford-based Hulitan Family & Community Services Society offered up Big House as a filming location and Colwood-based LuB次元官网网址檓a Native Housing Society allowed the crew to use the conference room.

Oliver also wanted to help Indigenous actors get their foot in the door and earn some experience on camera.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the thing with acting, itB次元官网网址檚 kind of feast or famine. ItB次元官网网址檚 like the starving artists, always thereB次元官网网址檚 highs and lows. Sometimes youB次元官网网址檙e working a lot. Then, other times, you might have a few months between. So itB次元官网网址檚 good to have more experience.B次元官网网址�

Oliver has had roles in front of the camera in short films like Kiri and the Girl, which was picked up by Apple TV, and Bones of Crows, a feature-length film which is currently in cinemas, and is set to be adapted into a limited television series by CBC. Networking is key, said Oliver, but she also said thereB次元官网网址檚 more willingness to produce Indigenous stories.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 becoming more and more prevalent, which is a good thing. Our stories need to be told, our legends.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Bones of Crows to be shown at three locations in Greater Victoria

Filming is finished on Mary Two Bears and is now being edited over the summer and then will be sent to festivals, with Oliver hoping thereB次元官网网址檒l be a couple of local screenings later.

ALSO FILMING: B次元官网网址業 want to be a superstarB次元官网网址�: Two Islanders make acting debut in indie film