The Canary Effect: Kill the Indian, Save the Man

The Canary Effect is a 2006 documentary film that looks into the effects that the United States and its policies have on the Indigenous peoples (Native Americans) who are residents. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the Stanley Kubrick Award at the 2006 Traverse City Film Festival (Michael Moore hosts).

The movie was directed by Robin Davey and Yellow Thunder Woman, who are both members of LA Based alternative pop group The Bastard Fairies. The documentary was released on DVD in 2008.

The Canary Effect is a documentary that looks into the effects of that the United States and its policies have on the Indigenous peoples (Native Americans) who are residents.

It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the Stanley Kubrick Award at the 2006 Traverse City Film Festival (Michael Moore hosts).

The movie was directed by Robin Davey and Yellow Thunder Woman, who are both members of LA Based alternative pop group The Bastard Fairies.

Delving deeply into the often misunderstood and frequently over looked historic realities of the American Indian, The Canary Effect follows the terrifying and horrific abuses instilled upon the Indigenous people of North America, and details the genocidal practices of the US government and its continuing affects on present day Indian country.

Featuring interviews with the leading scholars and experts on Indian issues including controversial author Ward Churchill, the film brings together the past and present in a way never before captured so eloquently and boldly on film.

Directed by: Robin Davey, Yellow Thunder Woman

The Canary Effect takes an in depth look at the devastating effect that US policies have had on the indigenous people of America.

From multi-award winning directors Robin Davey and
Yellow Thunder Woman, comes this 'Illuminating Documentary' (Time Out).
Delving deeply into the often misunderstood and frequently over looked
historic realities of the American Indian, The Canary Effect follows
the terrifying and horrific abuses instilled upon the Indigenous people of
North America, and details the genocidal practices of the US government
and its continuing affects on present day Indian country.

Featuring interviews with the leading scholars and experts on Indian issues
including controversial author Ward Churchill, the film brings together the
past and present in a way never before captured so eloquently and boldly
on film.

Reviews: 

'It manages to illustrate the past and present plight of the North American Indian with amazing style, verve, wit and intelligence' TIME OUT MAGAZINE 

'There's no sugar coating here, no softening of the blow; the facts are harsh and dealt as mercilessly as they were inflicted' 

4.5 OUT OF 5 CRITICAL MASS FILM HOUSE 

Cast: 

Interviews with -Ward Churchill, Troy Johnson, Charlie Aborezk 

Awards: 

Stanley Kubrick Award For Bold & Innovative Film Making at Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival. 

American Indian Motion Picture Awards - Best Documentary Nominee. 

Red Bank Film Festival - Best Documentary Nominee. 

Official Selection - Tribeca Film Festival New York. 

Official Selection - Native Spirit Festival London UK. 

Film Festivals: 

Tribeca, Traverse City, American Indian Film Festival, SOWA Indie Fest, Red Bank, Native Spirit Festival London. 

The grim legacy of America's treatment of its native peoples is explored in detail in this documentary. Filmmakers Robin Davey and Yellow Thunder Woman take the perspective that if one is to define "genocide" as the a deliberate effort by a government to exterminate a people, then the United States is clearly guilty of the crime given their actions against America's indigenous population over the past 300 years. Davey and Thunder Woman back up their argument with footage detailing the economic marginalization of American Indians, the consistent violation of legal agreements reached with native tribes, the mismanagement and consistent neglect of Indian reservations, the brutalization of Native Americans as they were segregated onto flinty soil and forced to live under substandard conditions, and the refusal of the mass media to report stories of suicide and Columbine-style school shootings among reservation youth. The Canary Effect was screened in competition at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.