#Skoden documentary explores life of Blackfoot man and the dangers of labels
A documentary premiering at the HotDocs Festival in Toronto this month is set to challenge the way we perceive a controversial social media meme.
The film, titled #Skoden, sheds light on the life of Pernell Bad Arm, a fluent Blackfoot language speaker from the Kainai Blood reserve in southern Alberta. Bad Arm spent most of his adult life homeless in Lethbridge, Alberta, and tragically passed away in a homeless shelter on November 27, 2015, at the age of 52.
Director Damien Eagle Bear, who met Bad Arm while working at a shelter in Lethbridge, felt compelled to reshape the narrative surrounding the “#skoden” meme. This meme features an image of Bad Arm with his arms raised in either a defensive or offensive stance. For many Indigenous people, “skoden” is a contraction of “let’s go, then,” serving as a battle cry, motivational speech, and call to action.
Eagle Bear shared with CBC Indigenous that delving into Bad Arm’s story through the lens of the meme was a starting point to uncover who he truly was. The image associated with the meme, however, is a source of pain for Bad Arm’s family, who declined its inclusion in the documentary. They expressed that the image was captured during a dark period in Bad Arm’s life and does not accurately represent who he was.
Through interviews with individuals who knew Bad Arm intimately, the documentary paints a picture of a compassionate and proud individual. Mark Brave Rock, who formed a close bond with Bad Arm while living on the streets of Lethbridge, emphasized Bad Arm’s charitable nature, often giving away what little he had to others in need.
Amber Jensen, a support worker who interacted with Bad Arm, recalled his fondness for stuffed animals and shared her confusion upon learning about the negative labels assigned to him by his support system. Brave Rock explained that Bad Arm’s assertiveness was often misconstrued as aggression, highlighting the challenges faced by Indigenous individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction.
Eagle Bear emphasized that the documentary aims to challenge preconceived notions about individuals living on the streets, particularly those grappling with addiction. Jensen reflected on the valuable lessons she learned from Bad Arm and expressed a desire to use those insights to assist others in need.
#Skoden will make its debut at the HotDocs Festival in Toronto on April 29, offering audiences a poignant and insightful perspective on the life of Pernell Bad Arm.
